Commission Regulation (EU) 2019/681
of 30 April 2019
amending Annex II to Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council on cosmetic products
(Text with EEA relevance)
THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION,
Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union,
Having regard to Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 30 November 2009 on cosmetic products(1), and in particular Article 31(1) thereof,
Whereas:
(1) The substance 2-Chloro-p-Phenylenediamine, including its sulfate and dihydrochloride salts, is used in formulations for colouring eyebrows and eyelashes in a maximum concentration of 4,6 %. The Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety (SCCS) stated in its opinion of 19 September 2013(2) (‘the SCCS opinion’) that no sufficient margin of safety could be deduced for the use of 2-Chloro-p-Phenylenediamine in oxidative hair dye formulations for eyebrows and eyelashes in a concentration of maximum 4,6 %. The SCCS further stated that it was not possible to give a conclusion on the genotoxic potential of 2-Chloro-p-Phenylenediamine based on the available data and the lack of a proper in vivo test for gene mutation induction. Therefore, the SCCS did not consider the use of 2-Chloro-p-Phenylenediamine safe for the consumer. The SCCS has subsequently clarified that it is of the opinion that sulfate and dihydrochloride salts of 2-Chloro-p-Phenylenediamine should be handled with the same caution as 2-Chloro-p-Phenylenediamine until proven to be safe, because they have the same core structure, including genotoxic potential, as 2-Chloro-p-Phenylenediamine. Moreover, the SCCS has clarified that the scope of the SCCS opinion and its conclusion can be extended to the hair on the head(3).
(2) In light of the SCCS opinion, and the subsequent clarification by SCCS, there is a potential risk to human health arising from the use of 2-Chloro-p-Phenylenediamine, its sulfate and dihydrochloride salts in products for colouring eyebrows and eyelashes. With regard to products for colouring the hair on the head, the exposure to the substance is even higher, since those products are applied to a larger surface of the body. On that basis, and in light of the clarification by SCCS, there is also a potential risk to human health arising from the use of 2-Chloro-p-Phenylenediamine, its sulfate and dihydrochloride salts in products for colouring the hair of the head. Therefore, 2-Chloro-p-Phenylenediamine, its sulfate and dihydrochloride salts should be prohibited in hair dye products, including eyebrow dye products, and in eyelash dye products and added in the list of prohibited substances in Annex II to Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009.
(3) It is appropriate to provide for reasonable periods of time in order for the industry to adapt to the new prohibition. When determining the length of those periods, the interest of the economic operators should be balanced against the specific health risk factors identified.
(4) Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009 should therefore be amended accordingly.
(5) The measures provided for in this Regulation are in accordance with the opinion of the Standing Committee on Cosmetic Products,
HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION:
SCCS/1510/13.
Minutes of the SCCS plenary meeting of 21-22 June 2018.