The Risk Assessment Committee (RAC) of the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) has just adopted its Opinions on the classification and harmonised labelling of 10 chemical substances. Among them, two can be used in cosmetics.
Formic Acid
Formic acid (CAS: 64-18-6 - CE: 200-579-1 - INCI: Formic Acid) is listed in the CosIng with the functions of fragrance, preservative and pH adjuster.
It is regulated in Annex V, entry 14, to Cosmetics Regulation 1223/2009, with a limited maximum concentration in finished products of 0.5% (in acid).
It is currently listed in Annex VI, entry 607-001-00-0, to Regulation CLP 1272/2008, with the classification of Skin Corr. 1A - H314: Causes severe skin burns and eye damage, the pictogram GHS05 and the hazard statement Dgr (Danger).
RAC agreed to the proposal by Belgium to add to the current classification that formic acid:
• Is a flammable liquid: Flam. Liq. 3; H226, with C >85%
• May be corrosive to metals: Metal Corr. 1; H290, but with no specific concentration limit assigned
• Is harmful if swallowed: Acute Tox. 4; H302, with an ATE=500 mg/kg bw
• Is toxic if inhaled: Acute Tox. 3; H331, with an ATE=7.4 mg/L (vapours)
• Causes serious eye damage: Eye Dam. 1; H318, with C > 10%
Furthermore, RAC agreed to add the supplementary hazard statement EUH071 (Corrosive to the respiratory tract) to the labelling of the substance.
Silver
The CosIng lists …
