EU cosmetics law restricts the use of many substances
The European Union's "Official Journal" published a new European Commission directive (2009/6/EC) on February 5 this year, which revised the cosmetics directive No. 76/768/EEC and banned two substances (one of which is only allowed in trace amounts). exist), and allows the use of 3 substances, subject to certain conditions. Directive 2009/6/EC will be implemented in all 27 EU member states, and traders selling cosmetics in any member state must comply with the new requirements.
According to EU cosmetics law, a "cosmetic" consists of any substance or preparation that comes into contact with multiple external parts of the human body (including the skin, hair, nails, lips and external parts of the genitals) or the teeth and mouth, and is intended exclusively for cleansing, scenting, changing the appearance, irritating Remove body odor and protect related parts. Annex 1 of Directive 76/768/EEC lists cosmetic products, including creams, lotions, lotions, gels and emollients for use on the skin, soaps, deodorants, perfumes, hair or nail care products, whitening products and anti-wrinkle skin care products, as well as oral care products.
The EU's "Cosmetic Ingredients List" lists diethylene glycol (DEG) as a substance that has solvent functions, can control viscosity, and has a covering effect. In July 2007, the Spanish government notified the European Commission that they found toothpaste products containing diethylene glycol at a concentration as high as 8.3%. The EU Scientific Committee on Consumer Products believes that the use of diethylene glycol in cosmetics can pose a risk, but the concentration does not exceed 0.1% and should be considered safe. Therefore, the new cosmetics directive adds diethylene glycol to Annex 2 (Annex 2 lists substances generally prohibited for use in cosmetics), and also adds diethylene glycol to Annex 3 (Annex 3 lists substances permitted for use under special conditions), allowing cosmetics to contain Not more than trace amounts of diethylene glycol 0.1%.
Vitamin K1 is a type of vitamin K that has blood coagulation function and is also an ingredient in skin care products. It is used for topical application, such as improving dark circles or increasing skin gloss. France has banned cosmetics containing vitamin K1 after a study there found it caused allergic reactions. Vitamin K1 was then included in Annex 2 of the Cosmetics Directive and is prohibited from being used in cosmetics sold on the EU market.
Toluene, a solvent used in nail products, is classified as a Category 3 substance that is carcinogenic, mutagenic, or harmful to human reproduction because of the potential for harm to unborn children. According to EU legislation on the prohibition of hazardous substances (Directive 76/769/EEC), toluene with a concentration higher than 0.1% is prohibited from being used in public products such as glue and spray paint. However, from a general toxicology perspective, toluene is considered safe in nail products at levels up to 25%, but children should be prevented from inhaling toluene. Therefore, toluene is listed in Annex 3 of the Cosmetics Directive, with the maximum allowable concentration being 25% in nail products, but the product must carry a warning label stating that the product must be stored out of the reach of children and should be used by adults only.
France restricts the use of diethylene glycol monobutyl ether (DEGBE) in cosmetics, with the maximum concentration limit being 9%. Diethylene glycol monobutyl ether is widely used. In addition to being used as a hair dye solvent, it is also used in paints, dyes, inks, detergents and cleaners. In Europe, nearly 60% diethylene glycol monobutyl ether is used in detergents, and about 35% is used in paints and surface coatings. According to the reasoning of the Scientific Committee on Consumer Products, the new cosmetics directive 2009/6/EC adds diethylene glycol monobutyl ether to Annex 3. The maximum allowable concentration in finished products is 9%, but the use of diethylene glycol monobutyl ether in aerosols is prohibited. (Such as spray hairspray).
Ethylene glycol monobutyl ether (EGBE) used as a solvent for hair dyes is also listed in Annex 3. Its use must comply with the upper concentration limit. Oxidative hair dye products are 4%, and non-oxidative hair dye products are 2%. Ethylene glycol monobutyl ether, like diethylene glycol monobutyl ether, is banned from use in aerosol sprayers sold on the EU market.
All EU member states must convert European Commission Directive 2009/6/EC into national legislation on or before August 5, 2009. The provisions of the directive will be implemented on November 5, 2009, but the provisions related to toluene It will not take effect until February 10, 2010. The content of the directive is available at:http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=OJ:L:2009:036:0015:0017:EN:PDF
– Reference source: Hong Kong Trade Development Network 2009-03
