Background

Regulation (EC) No.1223/2009 on cosmetic products lays down that cosmetic products made available on the Union market must be safe for human health when used under normal or reasonably foreseeable conditions of use. In this framework, the European Commission relies on the independent scientific advice of the Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety (SCCS) for the assessment of substances used in cosmetics that may raise concerns for consumer health.

Salicylic Acid (CAS/EC No.69-72-7/200-712-3) is a substance with established regulatory relevance under the Cosmetics Regulation, notably due to concerns associated with certain hazard endpoints and the need to ensure that consumer exposure remains within safe limits. In recent years, questions have arisen over the potential overexposure of consumers to Salicylic Acid from various salicylates, which may undergo metabolic conversion to Salicylic Acid after dermal application of cosmetic products. These esters include, among others, well-known cosmetic ingredients used as UV filters, fragrance ingredients, or emollients. The SCCS has already provided opinions on several individual salicylates, and in doing so has noted that the potential aggregate exposure to salicylic acid derived from multiple esters could be of relevance for the overall risk to consumers.

In order to obtain a clearer …