The European Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety (SCCS) has recently released preliminary opinions on the safety of ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate (EHMC) used in cosmetics. EHMC is a commonly used UV filter, widely used in sunscreen products.
The main conclusions are as follows: 1 SCCS cannot determine whether the use of EHMC at a maximum concentration of 10% in cosmetics is safe. The reason is that the existing data is insufficient to rule out its genotoxicity. There is evidence to suggest that EHMC has endocrine disrupting activity, including significant estrogenic activity and weak anti androgenic activity in both in vivo and in vitro experiments Due to the above reasons, SCCS is also unable to provide the safe maximum concentration of EHMC for use in cosmetics. SCCS pointed out that this assessment did not involve the safety impact of EHMC on the environment.
Background information: EHMC is currently allowed to be used as a sunscreen in EU cosmetics regulations, with a maximum concentration of 10%. EHMC mainly absorbs UVB and cannot protect against UVA. EHMC has a decades long history of use, having previously undergone safety assessments in 1991, 1993, and 2001. In 2019, EHMC was included in the EU’s priority assessment list of 28 potential endocrine disruptors.
The preliminary opinion is currently being publicly solicited for comments, with a deadline of January 17, 2025. SCCS will evaluate based on feedback and issue a final opinion in the future.
This opinion may affect the usage regulations of EHMC in EU cosmetics. Biwei suggests that relevant enterprises and consumers should closely monitor the subsequent progress.
Post time: Nov-20-2024
