Following the mandate given by the European Commission to the SCCS, in the framework of the evaluation of ingredients listed as endocrine disruptors, the Scientific Committee has just published its final Opinion on the safety of the UV-filter Homosalate. It was adopted at the SCCS plenary meeting on 24-25 June 2021 and is significantly different from the preliminary version.
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: Benzophenone-3, Octocrylene, Resorcinol, Propylparaben and Homosalate.
Homosalate is currently regulated as a UV-filter in sunscreen products in a concentration up to 10%).
The Scientific Committee published in preliminary Opinion on November 2020. In particular, it concluded that the 10% concentration was not safe for the consumer and recommended limiting the substance to a maximum of 1.4%.
For an exhaustive background information, see the articles
• Endocrine disruptors: 5 requests for SCCS Opinions, CosmeticOBS, 10 February 2020
• Propylparaben, Homosalate: Preliminary Opinions of the SCCS, CosmeticOBS, 16 novembre 2020
The SCCS preliminary Opinion has been subject to a commenting period of eight weeks after its initial publication (from 6 November 2020 until 4 January 2021). Comments received during this time period are considered by the SCCS. For this Opinion, some changes occurred, in particular in sections 3.1.1.3, 3.1.6, SCCS general comment under 3.1.9, new study under 3.2.1.1, SCCS comment under 3.2.1.2, additional information under 3.2.2., …
