As part of the assessment of substances likely to have endocrine disrupting properties, the European Commission has asked the SCCS for its Opinion on the safety of the UV filter Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate. The Scientific Committee accepted this mandate on 28 February 2024.
Background on substances with endocrine disrupting properties
On 7 November 2018, the Commission adopted the review of Regulation (EC) No.1223/2009 on cosmetic products (“Cosmetics Regulation”) regarding substances with endocrine disrupting (ED) properties. The review concluded that the Cosmetics Regulation provides the adequate tools to regulate the use of cosmetic substances that present a potential risk for human health, including when displaying ED properties.
The Cosmetics Regulation does not have explicit provisions on EDs. However, it provides a regulatory framework with a view to ensuring a high level of protection of human health. Environmental concerns that substances used in cosmetic products may raise are considered through the application of Regulation (EC) No.1907/2006 (“REACH Regulation’”.
In the review, the Commission commits to establishing a priority list of potential EDs not already covered by bans or restrictions in the Cosmetics Regulation for their subsequent safety assessment. A priority list of 28 potential EDs in cosmetics was consolidated in early 2019 based on input provided through a stakeholder consultation. The Commission carried out a public call for data in 2019 for 14 substances (Group A) and a second call in 2021 for 10 substances (Group B) in preparation of the safety assessment of these …