Nanomaterials and cosmetics: Report from the Commission
The European Commission has published its report on the use of nanomaterials in cosmetic products and the revision of the Cosmetics Regulation with regard to nanomaterials.
It states that on average, approximately 3,620 new products containing nanomaterials were notified each year between 2016 and 2020 (every day, approximately ten new cosmetic products containing nanomaterials are placed on the market in the EU).
Unsurprisingly, the most notified substances, accounting for more than 70% of all nanomaterial notifications, are titanium dioxide, silicas and carbon black.
The report recalls that most of the opinions of the European Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety (SCCS) concerning the safety of notified nanomaterials could not be concluded due to the absence or lack of data: “it is therefore important that those responsible provide information as accurate as possible”.
The report remains open to aligning the definition of “nanomaterial” in the Cosmetics Regulation with the Commission’s recommendation (currently under review), subject to “further evaluation to assess the potential effects”. The Commission underlines the need to improve the “notification process of the nanomaterial and, in particular, its duration and the effect of the expiry of the deadline provided in the Cosmetic Regulation“. As most EU citizens feel that it is important to be informed about the presence of nanomaterials, the Commission considers that “digital labeling could be considered to complement and further improve the labeling of nanomaterials in cosmetic products”.
Our information sheets to go further
Other news on the topic
Upcoming Nano Agenda
- Citizen webinar for the general public and the university community.
- Organizers: Research department Law & Social transformation (DETS), University of Bordeaux
- Speakers:
- Marion Tissier-Raffin, Senior Lecturer in Public Law, Centre de recherche et de documentation européennes et internationales (CRDEI), University of Bordeaux
- Mathilde Detcheverry, General Delegate, Association AVICENN – Veillenanos
- Didier Morin, University Professor of Neuroscience, UMR CNRS INCIA, University of Bordeaux
- Website: https://dets.u-bordeaux.fr/animation-scientifique/webinaires-citoyens/saison-2024-2025
- 5th Joint Symposium on Nanotechnology
- Organizers: the Fraunhofer Nanotechnology Network, with the support of the Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR)
- Date: May 13-14, 2025
- Topics:
- the application of nanotechnology in various sectors, including digitalization, 2D/3D printing, carbon-based materials and battery materials
- nano on various regulations (REACh, food contact materials, cosmetics, bioagents, PPPs)
- adaptation and development of OECD Test Guidelines for nano and advanced materials (Malta Initiative)
- review on nano-specific NAMs (new approach methodologies)
- when you’re nano and you know it: dealing with uncertainty regarding the nanomaterial definition in regulatory frameworks
- …
- Website: www.isc.fraunhofer.de/…2025/5th-symposium-nanotechnology.html
- 4-day training :
- the different routes by which toxic substances can enter the body
- the importance of toxicokinetics in preventing the toxicity of substances,
- the absorption, distribution, metabolisation and elimination of xenobiotics
- the toxicity of nanoparticles
- Organizer : Association Toxicologie Chimie (ATC)
- From May, 19 to May, 22
- Speakers :
- Frédéric Gaidou (Chemical engineer specialising in Toxicology, ERAMET Group, Paris, President ATC Paris)
- Sarah Dognin dit Cruissat (Doctor of Pharmacy, nutritionist, toxicochemist, CALMEVA, Lyon)
- Jean-Dominique Puyt (Veterinary Doctor, Honorary Professor at the École Vétérinaire, Nantes)
- Isabelle Malissin (Doctor, Hôpital Lariboisière, Paris)
- Nicole Proust (Research Engineer, Honorary Director of Research at the CNRS, Specialist in Nanotechnologies, Arsenic, Electromagnetic Waves, Palaiseau)
- Marie-Chantal Canivenc-Lavier ((Nutri-toxicologist, Centre des Sciences du Goût et de l’Alimentation INRA-Dijon)
- Claude Lesné (Doctor, Honorary Senior Research Engineer at the CNRS)
- Nicole Proust (Ingénieure Recherche, Directeur de recherche honoraire du CNRS, Spécialiste Nanotechnologies, Arsenic, Ondes électromagnétiques, Palaiseau)
- Website : https://www.atctoxicologie.fr/notre-formation.html