Following the submission of new data by industry on the purity of the substance, the European Commission has requested a Scientific Opinion from the SCCS, complementary to its 2015 Opinion, on HC Blue 18 (B122), a hair dye ingredient. The Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety has just published it, after its adoption by written procedure on 27 April 2023.
Background
HC Blue 18 (CAS 1166834-57-6/852356-91-3) is used as an ingredient in oxidative and non-oxidative hair dye formulations. In 2015, the SCCS concluded thet its use was safe up to 0.35%, mais stated that “the purity of HC Blue 18 and impurities in it are not adequately quantified.”
In 2022, the industry provided new information on this issue and the Commission asked the SCCS to assess it.
For an exhaustive background information, see the articles
• HC Blue 18 : Opinion of the SCCS, CosmeticOBS, 22 July 2015
• HC Blue 18: new request for Opinion to the SCCS, CosmeticOBS, 20 February 2023
The SCCS’ Advice
1. In light of the data provided, does the SCCS consider HC Blue 18, safe when used in nonoxidative as well as in oxidative hair dye formulations up to a maximum on-head concentration of 0.35 %?
In light of the new physicochemical data provided, SCCS considers that the use of HC Blue 18 as an ingredient in non-oxidative as well as in oxidative hair dye formulations up to a maximum on-head concentration of 0.35% is safe.
2. Does the SCCS have any further scientific concerns with regard to the use of HC …
