Following new exposure data taken into account in the SCCS Opinion on Hexyl Salicylate, concerns have been raised about the safety of Methyl Salicylate for children. The European Commission has therefore asked for this point to be reassessed, and the Scientific Committee has just published the final version of its Scientific Advice on the subject.
Background
Methyl Salicylate (CAS/EC No.119-36-8/204-317-7) is used in many fragrance mixtures and as flavouring and soothing agent in oral hygiene products.
On 14 September 2023, the SCCS concluded in their Opinion SCCS/1654/23 on the safety of Methyl Salicylate in cosmetic products intended for children of age 0.5-3 and 3-6 years in specific types of cosmetic products and with defined concentration limits.
On 29 July 2024, the SCCS published a preliminary Opinion (addendum to SCCS/1658/23) on the safety of Hexyl Salicylate, where the scientific committee noted that the amount of toothpaste ingested by children below 3 years old (considered in the calculation of the margin of safety) has been adapted based on available data and is much higher than the one used in previous opinions including their Opinion on Methyl Salicylate (i.e., SCCS/1654/23). The SCCS concluded that this may raise concerns on the safety of such substances.
The draft version of its Scientific Advice (revision of its Opinion SCCS/1654/23) was published in January 2025.
For an exhaustive background information, see the articles
• Methyl Salicylate: Request for the SCCS Opinion, CosmeticOBS, 22 September 2020
• Publication of the 17th ATP of the CLP, CosmeticOBS, 7 June 2021
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