Cosmetic companies face new EU toxicity assessment systems
Fears over chemical mixtures
EU personal care product companies may face a revised system of assessing the toxicity of chemicals they produce or handle, with EU specialists proposing checking the interactions of chemicals in mixtures. They fear simply adding the potential toxicity of two separate ingredients might overlook chemical reactions creating unexpected dangers.
A preliminary joint report from the EU’s scientific committee on consumer safety; health and environmental risks; and emerging and newly identified health risks has concluded: “Chemicals with common modes of action may … produce combination effects … larger than the effects of each mixture component applied singly.”
Because the number of interactions is vast, it has proposed criteria for choosing which should be assessed. These conclusions are now being considered by the European Commission, which could propose changes to EU toxicity measuring rules. A Brussels notes aid it was “keen to ensure that EU chemicals' legislation takes proper account of the latest scientific information on mixture toxicity”.