Update of Annex VI of Regulation 1223/2009: new limits for Benzophenone-3 and Octocrylene

In light of concerns related to the potential endocrine-disrupting properties of the ingredients Benzophenone-3 (CAS: 131-57-7) and Octocrylene (CAS: 6197-30-4), the Commission asked the Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety (SCCS) to carry out a re-evaluation of the safety of both substances and their use as UV filters.

SCCS concluded that:
-Benzo-phenone-3 is safe for the consumer when used as a UV filter:
- up to 6% in face creams, hand creams and lipsticks, excluding propellant and pump spray products
- up to 0.5 % in cosmetic products to protect the formulation
- up to 2.2 % in body creams, propellant sprays and pump sprays when there is no additional use of Benzophenone-3 at 0.5 % to protect the cosmetic formulation
- up to 1,7 % in body creams, propellant sprays and pump sprays when there is an additional use of Benzophenone-3 at 0,5 % to protect the cosmetic formulation.

-Octocrylene is safe for the consumer when used as a UV filter:
- up to 10% when used alone;
- up to 10% for combined use in sunscreen creams or lotions, sunscreen pump sprays, face creams, hand creams and lipsticks;
- up to 9% for combined use in sunscreen propellant sprays, when used together with facial creams, hand creams or lipsticks containing 10 % Octocrylene.

This Regulation shall enter into force on 28/07/2022, however, cosmetic products containing these substances and complying with the restrictions set out in Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009 in force until 27 July 2022 may be placed on the market until 28 January 2023 and may be made available on the market until 28 July 2023.

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