As part of the assessment of substances that may have endocrine disrupting properties, the European Commission has asked the SCCS to evaluate the safety of Butylated Hydroxyanisole (BHA). The Scientific Committee has just published the final version of its Scientific Advice.
Background
Butylated Hydroxyanisole (CAS No.25013-16-5, EC No.246-563-8, INCI: BHA) is an ingredient listed in the Cosing, with the functions: Antioxidant, Fragrance.
The substance is currently not regulated by European Cosmetics Regulation 1223/2009.
BHA is closely related to BHT (butylated hydroxytoluene), which has been evaluated by the SCCS in view of its potential endocrine activity. In its Opinion, the SCCS concluded on the safety (under certain conditions) of BHT, when used in cosmetic products.
BHA is also suspected of being an endocrine disruptor.
The SCCS published the preliminary version of its Scientific Advice in November 2025.
For an exhaustive background information, see the articles
• Fragrances: three requests for Opinion to the SCCS, CosmeticOBS, 14 October 2024
• BHA: preliminary version of the SCCS Scientific Advice, CosmeticOBS, 18 November 2025
This Scientific Advice has been subject to a commenting period of min eight weeks after its initial publication (from 17 November 2025 to 19 January 2026, due to holiday period).
Comments received during this period were considered by the SCCS. Main changes occurred in physico-chem section, 3.4.5.1., 3.4.5.2, SCCS overall comment on carcinogenicity, and 3.4.10 (Table 4 and assays references added and SCCS overall comment …
