Tagetes erecta, Tagetes minuta and Tagetes patula extracts and oils are widely used fragrance ingredients of many fragrance compounds used in perfumery. The Scientific Committee on Consumer Products (SCCP), subsequently replaced by the Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety (SCCS), concluded in its opinion of 21 June 20052 that Tagetes erecta, Tagetes minuta and Tagetes patula extracts and oils should not be used in cosmetic products as no safe limits had been demonstrated.

Following the submission in August 2013 of an update dossier on the safety assessment of Tagetes minuta and Tagetes patula extracts and oils, the SCCS adopted a revised opinion on 25 March 20153. In that opinion, as corrected on 13 December 20174, the SCCS concluded that for Tagetes minuta and Tagetes patula extracts and oils in leave-on products (except sunscreen products and products marketed for exposure to natural/artificial UV light), a maximum concentration in ready to use preparation of 0,01 % is safe, provided that the alpha terthienyl (terthiophene) content of those extracts and oils does not exceed 0,35 %. The SCCS thus concluded that Tagetes minuta and Tagetes patula extracts and oils should not be used as ingredients in sunscreen products and in products marketed for exposure to natural/artificial UV light.

In a comment of 6 October 20165 to its opinion of 25 March 2015, the SCCS indicated that for Tagetes minuta and Tagetes patula extracts and oils in rinse-off products, a maximum concentration in ready to use preparation of 0,1 % should be set.

In light of the opinion of the SCCP of 21 June 2005 there is a potential risk to human health arising from the use of Tagetes erecta flower extract and Tagetes erecta flower oil in cosmetic products. Those substances should therefore be prohibited in cosmetic products and added in the list of prohibited substances in Annex II to Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009.

In light of the opinion of the SCCP of 21 June 2005, the revised opinion of the SCCS of 25 March 2015, as corrected on 13 December 2017, and the comment of the SCCS of 6 October 2016, there is a potential risk to human health arising from the use of Tagetes minuta and Tagetes patula flower extracts and flower oils in cosmetic products in a concentration exceeding 0,01 % in leave-on products and 0,1 % in rinse-off products and from the use of those extracts and oils in a leave-on or rinse-off product where the content of alpha terthienyl (terthiophene) in the extracts or oils exceeds 0,35 %. There is also a potential risk to human health arising from the use of Tagetes minuta and Tagetes patula flower extracts and flower oils in any concentration in sunscreen products and products marketed for exposure to natural/artificial UV light. Those substances should therefore be added in the list of restricted substances in Annex III to Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009.

It is appropriate to provide for reasonable periods of time in order for the industry to adapt to the new prohibitions and restrictions. The complex and lengthy procedure for fragrance reformulation should be reflected in a longer than usual duration of the time periods given to the industry for adjustments of products.

Annexes II and III to Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009 should therefore be amended accordingly.

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