EU Eyeing Carcinogen Tag For Titanium Dioxide Under CLP Reg; Why It Matters For Cosmetics

28 Jul 2017

• By Jamie Hammon and Ryan Nelson

TiO2's nano-form use in spray sunscreens is already prohibited in the EU under the Cosmetics Regulation, but broader restrictions potentially extending to other cosmetic categories could be imposed down the line following a proposal from ECHA's Committee for Risk Assessment that the ingredient be CLP-classified as a suspected carcinogen when inhaled. There are also potential ramifications stateside to consider.

The European Chemicals Agency is poised to propose that titanium dioxide be categorized as a suspected carcinogen when inhaled, which could lead to an EU ban on the ingredient's use in sunscreen spray products and other SPF-containing cosmetics that may expose users to airborne particles.

According to a June announcement, ECHA's Committee for Risk Assessment (RAC) has concluded that available scientific evidence meets criteria in...