Entry 25 of Annex V to Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009 specifies a maximum concentration of 0,3 % in relation to the use of triclosan as a preservative in cosmetic products.

The Scientific Committee on Consumer Products (SCCP), subsequently replaced by the Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety (SCCS) pursuant to Commission Decision 2008/721/EC2, adopted an opinion on the safety of triclosan for human health in January 20093, followed by an addendum of March 20114.

The SCCP considered that the continued use of triclosan as a preservative at the current maximum concentration limit of 0,3 % in all cosmetic products is not safe for the consumer because of the magnitude of the aggregate exposure, and the SCCS confirmed this position. However, the SCCP considered that its use at a maximum concentration of 0,3 % in toothpastes, hand soaps, body soaps/shower gels and deodorants, face powders and blemish concealers is safe. In addition, the SCCS considered that other uses of triclosan in nail products where the intended use is to clean the fingernails and toenails before the application of artificial nail systems at a maximum concentration of 0,3 % and in mouthwashes at a maximum concentration of 0,2 % are safe for the consumer.

In light of the SCCS opinions mentioned above, the Commission considers that maintaining the restriction on the use of triclosan at its current level would raise a potential risk to human health. The additional restrictions suggested by the SCCP and the SCCS should therefore be implemented in Annex V to Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009.

Entry 12 of Annex V to Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009 specifies a maximum concentration of 0,4 % for single ester and 0,8 % for mixtures of esters in relation to the use of parabens as preservatives in cosmetic products, under the denomination 4-hydroxybenzoic acid and its salts and esters.

The SCCS adopted an opinion on parabens in December 20105, followed by a clarification of October 20116 in response to a unilateral decision by Denmark to ban propylparaben and butylparaben, their isoforms and their salts in cosmetic products for children under three years of age based on their potential endocrine activity, taken in accordance with Article 12 of Council Directive 76/768/EEC7.

The SCCS confirmed that methylparaben and ethylparaben are safe at the maximum authorised concentrations. In addition, the SCCS noted that limited or no information was submitted by industry for the safety evaluation of isopropylparaben, isobutylparaben, phenylparaben, benzylparaben and pentylparaben. As a result, for these compounds, the human risk cannot be evaluated. Therefore, those substances should no longer be listed in Annex V and, given that they might be used as antimicrobial agents, they should be listed in Annex II to make clear that they are prohibited in cosmetic products.

The conclusions the SCCS drew in the same opinions on propylparaben and butylparaben were challenged by a study carried out by the French authorities8, therefore a further risk assessment of those two substances was adopted by the SCCS in May 20139. Measures on propylparaben and butylparaben are under preparation, as a second step in the risk management of parabens.

No concerns were raised on the safety of 4-Hydroxybenzoic acid and its salts (calcium paraben, sodium paraben, potassium paraben).

The relevant annexes to Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009 should therefore be amended accordingly.

The application of the above-mentioned restrictions should be deferred to allow the industry to make the necessary adjustments to product formulations. In particular, undertakings should be granted six months to place on the market compliant products, and 15 months to stop making available on the market non-compliant products after the entry into force of this Regulation, in order to allow existing stocks to be exhausted.

The measures provided for in this Regulation are in accordance with the opinion of the Standing Committee on Cosmetic Products,