European Commission Seeks Opinion on Cosmetic Ingredient p-BMHCA

The European Commission has requested a scientific Opinion on the safe use of butylphenyl methylpropional (p-BMHCA) in cosmetic products.

The Commision's Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety (SCCS) accepted the mandate at its plenary meeting on 6 June.

It comes after the International Fragrance Association (Ifra) submitted a new safety dossier addressing concerns previously expressed by the SCCS.

In 2016 the Committee concluded that the fragrance ingredient is not safe in leave-on or rinse-off cosmetics, due in part to its skin sensitisation properties.

Ifra's revised dossier proposes lower maximum use levels of p-BMHCA. It also aims to address previous SCCS concerns over impurities in the ingredient.

Publication of the new Opinion is due in December.