The Safety of These Two Cosmetics Copolymers Remains in Limbo

An opinion could not be given on the safety of two ingredients due to a lack of toxicity data.

The EU’s Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety (SCCS) has declined to give an opinion on the safety of nano Styrene/ACRYLATES COPOLYMER and nano sodium styrene/acrylates copolymer.

The ingredients are used as skin conditioners in cosmetics products for functions such as "film forming, opacifying and viscosity controlling", said the SCCS.

The committee was requested to give its opinion on the safety of the materials when used in leave-on cosmetics with a maximum concentration limit of 0.06%, "taking into account the reasonably foreseeable exposure conditions".

The SCCS called for data on the substances in 2015, because they were reported in the Cosing database but were not regulated in Cosmetic Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009.

The European Commission has concerns about their use because of potential toxicity if nanoparticles enter into cells.

“The SCCS has not been able to conclude on the safety of any of the three styrene/acrylate copolymer nano-entities submitted by the applicants,” said the SCCS in its document adopted at the plenary meeting on 21-22 June.

The organisation said that the data submitted was insufficient, disallowing evaluation of possible toxicity.

The nano-particles submitted were used for encapsulation of a slimming agent called Theophyllisilane C and, according to the information provided by the applicants, might be used in products such as milks, emulsions, creams, lotions and solutions.

However, no data on the use frequency was provided, so, the potential exposure could also not be estimated based on a use scenario, said the SCCS.

In addition, the submitted information was based on a (nearly) finished product consisting of a nanomaterial shell with encapsulated active ingredients and data should be provided separately for all of the substances, SCCS added.