European Commission consults public on dangerous cosmetics chemicals in regulation update
19 Oct 2022 --- The European Commission (EC) is consulting the public about changing the current list of potentially carcinogenic, mutagenic and reprotoxic (CMR) chemicals under the Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH) Regulation 1907/2006. The list covers a broad range of chemicals which are hazardous and not to be used in cosmetic and personal care formulations.
The current chemical list falls under Annex XVII, which the EC seeks to update with a new draft.
The initiative seeks to update the REACH Regulation so that it matches key cosmetic regulations – the 18th Adaptation to Technical and Scientific Progress (ATP) of the Classification, Labelling and Packaging of Substances (CLP).
The Regulation will come into force on the 20th day of its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union. The consultation opened on October 13 and will close on November 10.
Reflecting new classifications
Toxic cosmetic products are generally prohibited from being sold or used by the REACH Regulation via entries 28, 29 and 30 under Annex XVII. Classification of toxicity falls under category 1A and 1B. Category 1A shows scientific evidence of toxicity on humans, and category 1B covers scientific evidence of toxicity based on animals.
EC is amending REACH Regulation according to its draft Annex.
Specifically, the EC wants to change appendix two and six under Annex XVII. These two cover toxic chemicals that need to reflect the new classification of CMR substances falling under Regulation CLP and Regulation ATP.
The chemicals classified as CMR are extensively listed under Harmonised Classification And Labelling Tables of Annex VI to Regulation CLP. These classifications are applicable from December 2023.
Regulatory updates
In September, the EC consulted public views on dangerous chemicals to raise the standard of cosmetics safety. It opened a consultation on a draft Delegated Regulation on the new hazardous chemical classes and criteria to be added to the CLP 1272/2008 Regulation, which closed yesterday.
The EC is also restricting the use of Methyl Salicylate, an agent used for its fragrant, flavoring and soothing properties in cosmetics, due to its potential to cause irritations and acute toxicity. Under Regulation 2022/1531 or Omnibus Act V, the restrictions are mandatory as of December 17 this year.
By Venya Patel
