On 28 February 2024, the SCCS adopted, by written procedure, a corrigendum to its final Opinion on Methylparaben, dated 14 December 2023. It clarifies the Scientific Committee’s conclusion regarding the percentages of safe use of this preservative.
Background
Methylparaben (CAS No.99-76-3, EC No.202-785-7) is currently regulated as a preservative (Annex V/12 to the European Cosmetics Regulation 1223/2009) in a concentration up to 0.4% (as acid) when used on its own or up to 0.8% for mixtures of esters (Annex V, entry 12, column g) During the call for data, stakeholders submitted scientific evidence to demonstrate the safety of Methylparaben as a preservative in cosmetic products.
The SCCS published its final Opinion in December 2023.
It stated only that “the use of Methylparaben as a preservative in cosmetic products at concentrations of up to 0.4% (expressed as acid) is safe.”
For an exhaustive background information, see the articles
• Endocrine disruptors: 2nd call for data from the European Commission, CosmeticOBS, 22 February 2021
• Methylparaben, Benzyl Salicylate, Salicylic Acid: requests for SCCS Opinions, CosmeticOBS, 14 February 2022
• Methylparaben, Butylparaben : preliminary Opinions of the SCCS, CosmeticOBS, 12 June 2023
• Methylparaben: final Opinion of the SCCS, CosmeticOBS, 2 February 2024
The corrected Opinion
Following this corrigendum, the final opinion of the SCCS is now as follows.
1. In light of the data provided …
