UV filter EU safety update

Based on the data submitted, the EU Scientific Committee for Consumer Safety (SCCS) concluded that the use of Methoxypropylamino Cyclohexenylidene Ethoxyethylcyanoacetate (S87) as a UV filter in cosmetic products is safe up to a maximum concentration of three percent.

Inhalation toxicity was not assessed in this opinion because no data was provided. As a result, this opinion is not applicable to any sprayable products that could lead to the exposure of consumers’ lungs by inhalation.

Are there any further scientific concerns of the SCCS with regard to the use of Methoxypropylamino Cyclohexenylidene Ethoxyethylcyanoacetate (S87) in cosmetic products? S87 is a secondary amine and is prone to nitrosation and formation of nitrosamines. S87 should not be used in combination with nitrosating substances, and the nitrosamine content should always be < 50 ppb.

The ingredient safety information was adopted and updated accordingly into the European Commission database for information on cosmetic substances and ingredients contained in the Cosmetics Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009.

Opinions nearing finalisation

Other SCCS Opinions on ingredients and substances, which will be finalised soon and worth looking into are:

• Dihydroxyacetone – DHA (1,3-Dihydroxy-2- propanone) CAS No. 96-26-4

• the safety of aluminium in cosmetic products – Submission II

• SCCS/1613/19 on 30 and 31 October 2019, which is open for comment until 17 February

• Zinc Pyrithione (ZPT) submission III; SCCS/1614/19 on 13 December, which is open for comment until 24 February

• Hair dye Indigofera tinctoria (C170) CAS 84775-63-3 submission III; SCCS/1615/20 on 10 January, which is open for comment until 13 March.

Interesting info worth noting

Following the Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) 153rd Expert Panel Meeting held on 9 and 10 December, a post meeting announcement was published with interesting cosmetic product substance and ingredient safety assessment information, which applies to the South African market and may be worth reviewing.

Final safety assessments concluded:

1. Alkyl Amide MIPA, of which 14 ingredients were found safe with qualifications

2. Capryloyl Salicylic Acid, one ingredient was tested with an insufficient conclusion for impurities and phototoxicity aspects

3. MCI/MI, two ingredients and one mixture have been concluded safe with qualifications

4. Mannitol, Sorbitol and Xylitol, of which three ingredients have been deemed safe for use.

The following tentative safety assessments are in process:

• honey, with seven ingredients being tested and found safe in a preliminary statement

• palm (açaí and juçara), of which eight ingredients have been tested with a split conclusion (safe; or insufficient information for composition), so the assessment will continue

• pomegranate, of which 18 ingredients were assessed with expert voting resulting in a split conclusion (safe; or insufficient for various endpoints)

• soy, of which 28 ingredients were assessed with expert voting resulting in a split conclusion (safe; or insufficient for various endpoints)

• vanilla, of which nine ingredients were tested with voting resulting in a split conclusion (safe; or insufficient for various endpoints).