Methylisothiazolinone officially banned
In July there have been a few updates in the EU cosmetics regulation. The updates were the following:
- Carbon black: Carbon Black (nano) (according to the SCCS\’s specifications) is authorized for use as a colorant in cosmetic products at a maximum concentration of 10 % w/w, except in applications that may lead to exposure of the end user\’s lungs by inhalation. Furthermore, the purity of carbon black (whether nano or not) should be more than 97%.
- Ethyl Lauroyl Arginate HCl: currently ethyl lauroyl arginate HCl is allowed to be used as a preservative in cosmetic products, except lip products, oral products and spray products, as a maximum concentration of 0.4%. Now ethyl lauroyl arginate HCl can also be used as a preservative in mouthwashes, except for children under the age of 10, at a maximum concentration of 0.15%, but not in oral products in general.
- Titanium dioxide: titanium dioxide in the form of a nanomaterial is currently not regulated. Based on the SCCS opinion the EU Commission now authorized titanium dioxide (nano) for use as a UV-filer in cosmetic products at a maximum concentration of 25%, except in applications that may lead to exposure of the end-user’s lungs by inhalation. The maximum allowed concentration of titanium dioxide (which isn’t in the nano form) as a UV-filter is also 25%.
- Methylisothiazolinone officially banned: as it has been already announced in the past, but now it became formal, the use of MI in leave-on cosmetic products will become prohibited. Leave-on cosmetic products that contain MI can only be placed on the market as well as be made available on the market till 17 February 2017. This means that if you have any remaining stock of leave-on products with MI, whether already in the EU or not, they should be sold by 17 February 2017.
