Following the submission of a safety dossier by industry, the European Commission has now asked the SCCS to assess the safety of Silver Zinc Zeolite, a preservative transferred to Annex II (prohibited substances) to Cosmetics Regulation by the first CMR Regulation. The Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety accepted this mandate at its plenary meeting on 21-22 June 2022 and has nine months to deliver its Opinion.
Background
Silver Zinc Zeolite (SZZ) (CAS No.130328-20-0, EC No.603-404-0) with INCI name “Ammonium Silver Zinc Aluminium Silicate” is included in the European database for information on cosmetic substances and ingredients (CosIng) with the reported functions of “absorbent”, “deodorant” and “preservative”.
SZZ is used for the antimicrobial effects exerted by the silver ions released. Silver ions may interact with the cell membrane of microorganisms and the electron transport processes, bind to nucleic acids, inhibit enzymes and catalyse the formation of free radical oxygen species (ROS). Generally, the antimicrobial effect dependents on how much of the silver is released.
In December 2015, the Risk Assessment Committee (RAC) of ECHA issued an Opinion recommending a “Toxic for reproduction Category 2” classification (i.e suspected of damaging the unborn) for Silver Zinc Zeolite.
In May 2017, the Commission Regulation No.2017/7762 amended - for the purposes of its adaptation to technical and scientific progress Regulation No.1272/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council on classification, labelling and packaging of substances and mixtures (CLP Regulation). In particular, a new entry in Annex VI to the CLP Regulation was added for “Silver Zinc Zeolite (Zeolite, LTA framework type, surface-modified with silver and zinc ions). This entry covers …
