THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES,
Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community,
Having regard to Council Directive 76/768/EEC of 27 July 1976 on the approximation of the laws of the Member States relating to cosmetic products(1), and in particular Article 8(2) thereof,
Whereas:
(1) On the basis of the IFRA (International Fragrance Association) Code of Practice, the Scientific Committee on Consumer Products (SCCP)(2), identified substances used as fragrance compounds in cosmetic products for which some restrictions should be provided.
(2) Considering that whatever the function of these substances in cosmetic products is, it is the exposure to these substances which should be considered. Therefore, the restrictions should not be limited to the use of the identified substances as fragrance compounds in cosmetic products.
(3) However, sensitisation would not exist when the substance is used in oral products. Therefore, in order to ensure consistency, as some of these substances are authorised as flavouring substances by Commission Decision 1999/217/EC of 23 February 1999 adopting a register of flavouring substances used in or on foodstuffs drawn up in application of Regulation (EC) No 2232/96 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 28 October 1996(3), these restrictions should not apply to substances listed under this register.
(4) In the light of the opinions of the SCCP, it is necessary to amend the restrictions related to the identified substances which are already listed in Annex III to Directive 76/768/EEC under entries 45, 72, 73, 88 and 89. Furthermore, it is appropriate to include in that Annex those identified substances which are not yet listed with their respective restrictions, as well as, for consistency, substances belonging to the same family identified in Commission Decision 96/335/EC of 8 May 1996 establishing an inventory and a common nomenclature of ingredients employed in cosmetic products(4).
(5) Benzyl alcohol being listed twice in Annex III part 1, under reference numbers 45 and 68, the content of entry 68 as well as the new restrictions should be included in entry 45.
(6) Following clarification by the SCCP regarding Peru balsam, entry 1136 of Annex II should be amended.
(7) Directive 76/768/EEC should therefore be amended accordingly.
(8) In order to ensure a smooth progression from the existing formulae of cosmetic products to formulae which comply with the requirements laid down in this Directive, it is necessary to provide for appropriate transitional periods.
(9) The measures provided for in this Directive are in accordance with the opinion of the Standing Committee on Cosmetic Products,
HAS ADOPTED THIS DIRECTIVE:
OJ L 262, 27.9.1976, p. 169. Directive as last amended by Commission Directive 2008/14/EC (OJ L 42, 16.2.2008, p. 43).
OJ L 66, 4.3.2004, p. 45. Decision as amended by Decision 2007/263/EC (OJ L 114, 1.5.2007, p. 14).
OJ L 84, 27.3.1999, p. 1. Decision as last amended by Decision 2006/252/EC (OJ L 91, 29.3.2006, p. 48).
OJ L 132, 1.6.1996, p. 1. Decision as amended by Decision 2006/257/EC (OJ L 97, 5.4.2006, p. 1).