The sixth set of measures, known as the Omnibus package, dedicated to chemical products – including cosmetics – is currently being debated in the European Parliament. This text “ aims to simplify EU chemical legislation by reducing compliance costs and administrative procedures for companies throughout the chemical value chain; according to the European Council.
What are the current regulations?
Substances classified as CMR (carcinogenic, mutagenic, or toxic to reproduction) are prohibited in cosmetic products marketed in the European Union. These substances are divided into three categories: 1A (proven effects), 1B (presumed effects), and 2 (suspected effects).
Their list is regularly reviewed: the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) is responsible for assessing the hazard level of a substance, for possible classification by the Commission. Currently, companies have 18 months to reformulate their products and remove any substance classified as CMR (carcinogenic, mutagenic, or reprotoxic), after which they can no longer market their product. There are exemptions, the terms of which vary depending on the hazard level of the substance.
Read alsoUsing fewer cosmetic products can quickly reduce your exposure to certain chemical pollutants.
What are the main outlines of the project?
The plan to relax chemical regulations is part of a series of measures adopted by the EU in recent months to " simplify "Business life. Industrialists were concerned about the potential CMR classification of certain substances, such as paracymene or acetophenone, used particularly in perfumery. They also criticized the difficulties in obtaining exemptions."
The text — reviewed in parliamentary committee in mid-April — extends the deadlines and grants them approximately two and a half years to withdraw products containing CMR substances from sale, when no request for exemption is made by the manufacturer.
An additional period could be granted by way of exception, up to more than 6 years in certain cases. Another provision aimed to allow the presence of carcinogenic substances by oral or inhalation when used in products intended solely for topical application. It was abandoned due to opposition from Members of the European Parliament.
Read alsoBeware of the ingredients in cosmetic products, warns 60 Million Consumers
What do the manufacturers say?
The French Federation of Beauty Companies (FEBEA) deemed the compromise, which was approved on Wednesday by a large majority (540 votes to 60), " perfectly balanced“. The so-called “Omnibus VI” project “ brings more predictability", explains Brice Leclerc, scientific director of the federation, to AFP. According to him, it allows to manufacturers to reformulate effectively, scientifically, and to evaluate alternatives more robustly", while facilitating requests for exemptions.
“ The substance may be dangerous, but the conditions of use and consumer exposure mean that it does not pose a health risk."He also asserts, taking the example of ethanol, which does not present any no risk to consumer health "when used "in a hydroalcoholic gel or in perfumery."
Furthermore, the additional time granted " are necessary in relation to industrial reality" he believes.
Read alsoOctocrylene: A risky ingredient in sunscreens and cosmetics
What do those who support stronger regulation say?
The time limits for keeping products containing newly classified CMR substances on the market are " totally unacceptable", says the NGO Generations Futures.
The classification of a substance as CMR by the EU already takes years, and, as the NGO points out, it is worth noting that... study cataloging the cosmetic products to which the French are exposed dated 2017The number of different products used daily on average is 16 for women, 18 for pregnant women and 6 for babies. Laurence Coiffard, a professor of pharmacy at the University of Nantes, specializing in cosmetology, believes that European regulations were already not extremely restrictive.
“ Ultimately, the number of banned or regulated molecules is very limited." she told AFP. For French MEP Pascal Canfin (Renew, centre), who fought against this project, The economic argument should not be dominant when discussing the health of Europeans.“.
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