EC Publishes Updated Catalog of Nanomaterials Used in Cosmetics

The European Commission (EC) announced on November 15, 2019, that it published an updated catalog of nanomaterials used in cosmetic products on the European Union (EU) market.  As reported in our June 19, 2017, blog item, the EC first published a catalog in June 2017.  The catalog compiles information that responsible persons shared with the EC through the cosmetic products notification portal (CPNP) as of December 31, 2018.  The catalog lists 27 nanomaterials used as ultraviolet (UV) filters, colorants, and preservatives.  According to the EC, the catalog also indicates the categories of cosmetic products and foreseeable exposure conditions.  The EC states that “[t]his latest update provides an accurate overview of the nanomaterials used in cosmetic products in the EU.”  The catalog notes that “there may be a level of uncertainty regarding the status of some notified substances.”  The EC notes that some substances have more than one function.  The EC states that “this catalogue is for information purposes only and is expressly not a list of authorised nanomaterials.”  According to the press release, the EC will continue working with EU country authorities and industry stakeholders to improve the quality of the data submitted by the responsible persons.