The SCCS has just published its final Opinion on the safety of two cosmetic ingredients in the form of nanomaterials: Copper and Colloidal copper. It was adopted by written procedure on 5 March 2021, after the end of the comment period following its initial publication and review by the Scientific Committee.
Background
The Commission services received 36 notifications under Article 16 of the Cosmetics Regulation via the Cosmetic Product Notification Portal (CPNP) for cosmetic products containing Copper (31 notifications) and Colloidal Copper (5 notifications) with CAS No.7440-50-8, and EC No.231-159-6 in nano form.
The Commission has concerns on the use of Copper and Colloidal Copper in nano form because of the potential for nanoparticles to be absorbed dermally or across a mucous membrane and to enter cells.
The SCCS published its preliminary Opinion in November 2020.
For an exhaustive background information, see the articles
• SCCS: Requests for Opinions on 3 nanos and DHA, CosmeticOBS, 1st July 2019
• Hydroxyapatite, Copper and Colloidal Copper (nanos): Preliminary Opinions of the SCCS, CosmeticOBS, 16 November 2020
This Opinion has been subject to a commenting period of a minimum eight weeks after its initial publication (from 9 November 2020 until 4 January 2021). Comments received during this time were related to the general toxicity and risk assessment of copper. As the comments were not related to the nanoform of copper, the comments did not result in a change of the Opinion.
The final Opinion
1. In view of the above, and taking …
