SCCP Investigates Fragrance Materials

The European Commission (EC) has requested opinions from its Scientific Committee on Consumer Products (SCCP) on fragrance substances citral, farnesol and phenylacetaldehyde. This initiates the SCCP's first evaluation of fragrance materials since the 40th Amendment to the International Fragrance Association's Code of Practice introduced a quantitative risk assessment (QRA) method for gauging fragrance allergenicity.

The EC asked the SCCP whether it agrees to include all IFRA restricted materials in the Annex III (list of substances which cosmetic products must not contain except subject to restrictions and conditions laid down) of the Cosmetic Directive. To that end, the European Flavor and Fragrance Association (EFFA) was asked to submit safety files concerning the sensitizing properties. In its request, the EC has included current restrictions on citral, farnesol and phenylacetaldehyde, as well as proposed limitations under the QRA methodology, provided by the EFFA. The EC has requested that SCCP comment on whether the proposed concentration levels are safe and whether it has any other concerns about the use of the three fragrance substances in cosmetic products.

View the EC's request by clicking here.

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