Swedish Government Considers Action on Preservatives in Cosmetics

The Swedish government is considering action on problematic preservatives in cosmetic products, after a closed consultation on a report by its chemicals agency (Kemi).

Earlier this year, Kemi studied the use of 19 different preservatives in cosmetics, to assess whether they should be subject to national safety measures. It concluded that introducing national restrictions would not be proportionate, but nevertheless called for action at EU level, including a review of the EU cosmetics Regulation's list of approved preservatives.

The Swedish government then asked a selection of authorities and organisations to comment on Kemi's proposal ahead of it adopting its own position. The deadline for comments was 30 October.

Respondents largely welcomed the proposal, and supported its plans to pin down potentially harmful substances on the approved preservatives list. But some suggested that Sweden should adopt a harder line and take even stricter measures.

NGO ChemSec says it wants Sweden to "drive" cosmetic product labelling according to the EU's classification and labelling rules (CLP) and that the cosmetics Regulation includes environmental requirements.

Sweden's EPA does not go as far as ChemSec's demands. But in its comments it pushes for national environmental monitoring to ensure that levels of chemicals, such as triclosan, do not increase.