On December 15, 2022, the Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety (SCCS) issued a preliminary opinion on salicylic acid (CAS No. 69-72-7) to assess the safety of salicylic acid in cosmetics for public comments. The deadline for the public consultation is February 17, 2023.

On November 11, 2022, the European Commission issued Regulation (EU) 2022/2195, amending the requirements of European Cosmetics Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009 on the use of Humosalate and Resorcinol, and adding the restrictions on the use of Butylated Hydroxytoluene, Acid Yellow 3 and HAA299 (nano and non nano forms). This revision mainly refers to the scientific opinions issued by the Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety (SCCS) in 2021. This Regulation shall enter into force on the twentieth day following that of its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union.

On November 4, 2022, the European Union Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety (SCCS) issued scientific advice on the safety of triclocarban and triclosan as substances with potential endocrine-disrupting properties, clarifying the safety of their use in cosmetics. The safety assessment was carried out based on all available information, including potential endocrine impacts, with the following conclusions:

The European Union Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety (SCCS) adopted the final revision of the scientific opinion (SCCS/1639/21) on vitamin A (this covers retinol, retinyl acetate, and retinyl palmitate*) during the plenary meeting on October 24-25. Previously, on October 6, 2016, the SCCS issued a scientific opinion (SCCS/1576/16) on vitamin A to assess the safety of its use as a cosmetic ingredient. This SCCS/1639/21 is an updated version of SCCS/1576/16.

There is a diverse range of cosmetic packaging materials, such as glass, metal, plastic, and soft paper packaging. As the last process in the modern cosmetics industry, packaging is necessary to keep the contents clean and safe. However, it is also important to make sure the packaging itself does not pollute the cosmetics or add any unsafe factors to the contents. In addition, consumers’ understanding and judgment of cosmetics products often relies on the information provided on the products and by the sellers, the display of such information, to a large extent, determines consumers’ purchasing decisions and use methods for products.

On September 15, 2022, the European Commission issued G/TBT/N/EU/924 notification to amend Regulation 1223/2009 of the European Parliament and the Council on the labeling of fragrance allergens in cosmetics, for the protection of human health or safety.

In September 2022, the European Commission finally published the long-awaited draft amending Annex XVII to Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006 of the European Parliament and of the Council concerning the Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH) as regards synthetic polymer microparticles, to limit the use of intentionally added microplastics in various products. The new proposal also puts a restriction on leave-on cosmetics, involving skincare products, perfume, and lip care products. The transition period is 6-12 years. Once the new regulation is implemented, the EU will completely prohibit the use of microplastics in all cosmetics.

On September 15, 2022, EU released the Commission Regulation 2022/2031 as regards the prohibitions and restrictions on substances classified as carcinogenic, mutagenic or toxic for reproduction (CMR) and also updated Annex II, III and V to Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009. The amended Regulation shall enter into force on the twentieth day after its publication, and the restrictions on CMR shall be applied from December 17, 2022.

A summary of SCCS opinions from January to June 2022

On May 30, 2022, the Scientific Committee for Consumer Safety of the European Union (SCCS) issued a draft opinion SCCS/1644/22 on the safety of Aluminium in cosmetic products, which concludes that the safety of aluminium compounds in sprayable applications other than antiperspirant cannot be evaluated. The deadline of public comment is July 25, 2022.