Hazardous Chemicals Found in Cosmetic Products
Hazardous Chemicals Found in Cosmetic Products
A pilot enforcement project by ECHA’s Enforcement Forum found that 6% of inspected cosmetic products contained hazardous substances banned under the POPs and REACH regulations.
National enforcement authorities in 13 countries within the European Economic Area (EEA) checked nearly 4,500 cosmetic products, focusing on ingredients lists for the presence of perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), long-chain perfluorocarboxylic acids (PFCAs) and related substances, and cyclic siloxanes D4 and D5. Authorities discovered that 285 products included prohibited hazardous chemicals, specifically:
- Perfluorononyl dimethicone
- Perfluorooctylethyl triethoxysilane
- Perfluorononylethyl carboxydecyl PEG-10 dimethicone
- Cyclopentasiloxane (D5), cyclomethicone (a blend of D4, D5, and D6), and cyclotetrasiloxane (D4)
These chemicals are banned in cosmetics due to their classification as persistent organic pollutants (POPs) or (very) persistent, (very) bioaccumulative, and toxic (PBT/vPvB), which negatively impact human health and the environment. They are banned under the Stockholm Convention on POPs or restricted under the REACH Regulation.
According to national findings, perfluorononyl dimethicone was predominantly found in eyeliners and lipliners in pencil or crayon forms, while D4 and D5 were detected in hair conditioners and hair masks.
For instance, perfluorononyl dimethicone degrades into PFOA and long-chain perfluorocarboxylic acids. PFOA and siloxanes, D4 and D5, degrade slowly in the environment, accumulating in humans and other species. PFOA is not only persistent in the environment but also toxic to reproduction and suspected of being carcinogenic. D4 is also suspected of harming fertility.
Authorities’ Actions
The inspections primarily involved checking ingredients lists—a measure easily accessible to consumers as well. Consumers should be aware that restricted substances were found in various types of cosmetics from different sellers at all price levels. The enforcement authorities have taken action to remove non-compliant products from the market. In most cases, the initial response was issuing written advice to help suppliers comply with regulations. At the time of reporting, investigations were still ongoing in about half of the cases.
Background
ECHA is responsible for the REACH and POPs regulations, which also apply to cosmetic mixtures. This pilot project focused on enforcing PFCA-related substances, PFOA, and D4/D5 in cosmetics. The project contributes to harmonized enforcement of chemical control in cosmetics under the POPs and REACH regulations.