Every week, dedicated European portals (Safety Gate for the European Union, Safety Database for the United Kingdom) list the non-compliant and/or dangerous products detected on the market by the control authorities. Here are the cosmetic products that are subject to a recall or a marketing ban this week: a non-compliant disinfecting gel, a henna too loaded with colorant and a serum contaminated by bacteria.
Hand disinfectant
Brand: Hugglo
Name: Mild antiseptic hand gel
Barcode: 8699296622229
Batch number: 206
• Country of origin: Turkey
• Notifying country: Greece
Risk type: chemical
The product contains methanol (measured value: 11.4% by weight), which is acutely toxic to the central nervous system and to the eyes. Furthermore, the required hazard pictograms and warnings are missing. Users have therefore no information on the toxicity and flammability of the product. The packaging is not fitted with child-resistant fastening. Ingestion or contact with methanol may lead to blindness and death.
The product does not comply with the Biocidal Products Regulation and with the CLP Regulation.
Measures ordered by public authorities (to distributor):recall of the product from end users.
Henna
Brand: Cimen
Name: Hindistan Mali Kartal Kina
Barcode: 8697461670730
• Country of origin: India
• Notifying country: Germany
Risk type: chemical
The product contains 2-hydroxy-1,4-naphthoquinone (measured values: up to 0.14% by weight). 2-hydroxy-1,4-naphthoquinone causes serious eye and skin irritation, is harmful if swallowed, and may cause respiratory irritation.
The product does not comply with the Cosmetic Products Regulation.
Measures ordered by public authorities (to importer): ban on the marketing of the product and any accompanying measures.
Measures ordered by economic operators (to importer) :
withdrawal of the product from the market
Serum
Brand: Ere Perez Name: Ere Perez Quandong green booster serum
Barcode: 9351748000502
Batch number: B4390705
• Country of origin: Australia
• Notifying country: Finland
Risk type: Microbiological
The product is microbiologically contaminated with mesophilic aerobic bacteria and yeast (measured values 1.200.000 cfu/g for mesophilic aerobic bacteria and 150 000 cfu/g for yeasts). If used on damaged skin, or if it comes into contact with the eyes, the product may cause infection or irritation.
The product does not comply with the Cosmetic Products Regulation and with the relevant standard EN ISO 17516.
Measures ordered by public authorities (to importer): Import rejected at border
Source
• Safety Gate: Rapid Alert System for dangerous non-food products - most recent alerts, Report 12, European Commission, March 19, 2021