Following the opinion of the ECHA (European Chemicals Agency) Risk Assessment Committee (RAC) in favor of the LC50 classification of heliotropin (a perfume ingredient), specifically in Repr. 1B, the European Commission mandated the SCCS to assess its safety in cosmetic products. The Scientific Committee has just published its final opinion.
Background
Heliotropin (CAS No.120-57-0, EC No.204-409-7, INCI: Heliotropine), also known as piperonal, is an aromatic compound naturally found in some essential oils but mostly produced synthetically, and commonly used in cosmetic products.
The European Risk Assessment Committee (RAC) of ECHA issued in September 2024 an opinion recommending among others a classification for Heliotropin as “Reprotoxic of Category 1B (H360FD - May damage fertility. May damage the unborn child.)”.
In June 2025, the Commission services received a dossier to defend the safe use of Heliotropin as an ingredient in fine fragrances for adults only according to Article 15(2) of the Cosmetics Regulation 1223/2009.
For an exhaustive background information, see the article
• Heliotropin: request for Opinion to the SCCS, CosmeticOBS, 7 July 2025
• Heliotropin: preliminary Opinion of the SCCS, CosmeticOBS, 16 April 2026
This Opinion has been subject to a commenting period of eight weeks after its initial publication (from 15 April to 15 June 2026). Comments received during this period were considered by the SCCS.
For this Opinion, main changes occurred in the following sections: SCCS comments under 3.1.5, 3.3.2, 3.4.2, 3.4.5, 3.4.7, section 3.3.1. and overall exposure, section 3.5, respective relevant discussion parts, …
