Following an opinion from the Risk Assessment Committee (RAC) of the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) recommending that silver be classified as “Toxic for Reproduction Category 2”, the European Commission asked the SCCS to assess it safety. The Scientific Committee has just published its preliminary Opinion. It is open to comments until 5 May 2024.
Background
Silver (CAS No.7440-22-4; EC No.231-131-3; INCI: Silver) is an ingredient primarily used as a colorant (CI 77820) in cosmetics.
The European Risk Assessment Committee (RAC) of ECHA issued in February 2023 an opinion recommending among others a “Toxic for Reproduction Category 2” classification for Silver. Following the RAC opinion, the European Commission may propose a classification for silver as a “Toxic for Reproduction Category 2” (CLP Regulation Annex VI entry), which could lead to a ban on its use in cosmetics, unless positively assessed by the SCCS.
In October 2023, the Commission services received a dossier to defend the safe use of micronsized particulate Silver (CAS/EC No. 7440-22-4/231-131-3) as a conditioning agent in cosmetic products. The Commission has therefore asked the SCCS to carry out a safety assessment of this ingredient.
For an exhaustive background information, see the article
• Silver: request for an Opinion to the SCCS, CosmeticOBS, 27 November 2023
Opinion
1) In light of the data provided and taking under consideration the classification as toxic for reproduction Cat. 2, does the SCCS consider micron-sized particulate Silver safe when used up to a maximum concentration of 0.2% in rinse-off and 0.3% in leave-on cosmetic products?
The …
