Following the mandate given by the European Commission to the SCCS in February 2020, in the framework of the evaluation of ingredients listed as endocrine disruptors, the Scientific Committee has just published its preliminary Opinion on the safety of Benzophenone-3 (UV filter). It has been adopted by written procedure on 15 December 2020 and is open for comments until 15 February 2021.
Background
Following the publication of a list of 14 substances suspected of acting as endocrine disruptors to be assessed on a priority basis, and the subsequent call for data, the European Commission asked the SCCS for its Opinion on the safety of five substances: Octocrylene, Resorcinol, Homosalate, Propylparaben, and Benzophenone-3.
Benzophenone-3 is currently regulated as a UV-filter in sunscreen products in a concentration up to 6 % (Annex VI/4). It is also allowed in a concentration up to 0.5 % to protect product formulation in all other cosmetic products (Annex VI/4).
For an exhaustive background information, see the article
• Endocrine disruptors: 5 requests for SCCS Opinions, CosmeticOBS, 10 February 2020
Related Ingredients
Opinion
1. In light of the data provided and taking under consideration the concerns related to potential endocrine disrupting properties of Benzophenone-3, does the SCCS consider Benzophenone-3 safe when used as a UV-filter in cosmetic products up to a maximum concentration of 6% and up to 0.5% in cosmetic products to protect product formulation?
On the basis of safety assessment, and considering the concerns related to potential endocrine disrupting properties of Benzophenone-3 (BP-3), the SCCS has concluded that:
a. The use of BP-3 as a UV-filter …
