SCCS issues final opinion on homosalate
Last June, the SCCS, or European Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety, issued a final opinion on the use of homosalate (CAS n�118-56-9) as a cosmetic ingredient.
On a mandate given by the European Commission, the SCCS evaluated homosalate, among other cosmetic ingredients, for its use as a UV filter in sunscreen products. Until now, the use of homosalate in sunscreen products up to a concentration of 10% was considered safe for human health.
After conducting a safety assessment of the ingredient, the SCCS concluded that its use up to 10% was not safe for the consumer. For safe use as a UV filter in sunscreen products, the SCCS now recommends a maximum concentration of 0.5% homosalate in the finished product.
However, the SCCS considered the available evidence on the endocrine disrupting properties of homosalate to be equivocal. Although some studies indicate that homosalate may have endocrine disrupting effects, the evidence is not conclusive enough at this time to derive a specific endocrine toxicological endpoint for use in a safety assessment.
However, the SCCS did not address the question of the effectiveness of the ingredient as a UV filter at lower concentrations, as this is outside its scope.
Although it is not a regulatory requirement, we strongly recommend that you apply the SCCS recommendations. This will allow you to anticipate potential future regulatory changes, but also to ensure that your product is safe from a toxicological point of view.
SCCS and cosmetic ingredient evaluations
The SCCS is one of two independent European non-food scientific committees. The purpose of these committees is to provide the European Commission with the scientific advice necessary for the preparation of new regulations concerning consumer safety, public health and the environment.
The SCCS in particular provides opinions on health and safety risk issues of non-food products (this can range from cosmetics to toys, detergents, etc.).
The SCCS can be mandated by the European Commission but its independent experts can also issue statements on specific topics on their own (although this is rarer).
Recently, the European Commission mandated the SCCS to assess the safety of two other cosmetic ingredients: fullerenes, and _- and _-arbutin, a mandate accepted by the SCCS last June.
Wish to know more about the compliance of your cosmetic products?
For more information, do not hesitate to contact Nataliya Muller or one of our experts!
SCCS issues final opinion on homosalate
Last June, the SCCS, or European Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety, issued a final opinion on the use of homosalate (CAS n�118-56-9) as a cosmetic ingredient.
On a mandate given by the European Commission, the SCCS evaluated homosalate, among other cosmetic ingredients, for its use as a UV filter in sunscreen products. Until now, the use of homosalate in sunscreen products up to a concentration of 10% was considered safe for human health.
After conducting a safety assessment of the ingredient, the SCCS concluded that its use up to 10% was not safe for the consumer. For safe use as a UV filter in sunscreen products, the SCCS now recommends a maximum concentration of 0.5% homosalate in the finished product.
However, the SCCS considered the available evidence on the endocrine disrupting properties of homosalate to be equivocal. Although some studies indicate that homosalate may have endocrine disrupting effects, the evidence is not conclusive enough at this time to derive a specific endocrine toxicological endpoint for use in a safety assessment.
However, the SCCS did not address the question of the effectiveness of the ingredient as a UV filter at lower concentrations, as this is outside its scope.
Although it is not a regulatory requirement, we strongly recommend that you apply the SCCS recommendations. This will allow you to anticipate potential future regulatory changes, but also to ensure that your product is safe from a toxicological point of view.
SCCS and cosmetic ingredient evaluations
The SCCS is one of two independent European non-food scientific committees. The purpose of these committees is to provide the European Commission with the scientific advice necessary for the preparation of new regulations concerning consumer safety, public health and the environment.
The SCCS in particular provides opinions on health and safety risk issues of non-food products (this can range from cosmetics to toys, detergents, etc.).
The SCCS can be mandated by the European Commission but its independent experts can also issue statements on specific topics on their own (although this is rarer).
Recently, the European Commission mandated the SCCS to assess the safety of two other cosmetic ingredients: fullerenes, and _- and _-arbutin, a mandate accepted by the SCCS last June.
Wish to know more about the compliance of your cosmetic products?
For more information, do not hesitate to contact Nataliya Muller or one of our experts!
