Nanomaterials and cosmetics: Report from the Commission

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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”.

Upcoming Nano Agenda

24
Fév.
2026
Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) of nanomaterials (GdR NaMasTE, Online)
On line
Webinar
environment
environment
life cycle
nanosciences
research
risks
  • Introductory seminar on the principles of Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) and its specificities when applied to nanomaterials (metal nanoparticles, oxides, etc.), from their production to their end-of-life.
  • Organizer: NaMasTE research group (Manufactured Nanomaterials, Toxicology, Ecotoxicology and Risks: Towards Controlled Development)
  • Speaker: Gaetana (Tania) Quaranta, Senior Lecturer, University of Strasbourg – IPHC
  • Website: https://gdr-namaste.cnrs.fr/
26
Fév.
2026
Nanotechnologies and agriculture: a reference framework for responsible practice (AFNOR, online)
On line
Webinar
agriculture
pesticides
standardization
  • Webconference for analysis laboratories, plant fertilizer manufacturers and distributors, public authorities…
  • Moderated by David Krupka, nanotechnologies development manager at AFNOR Normalisation and Emilie Langlois-Bertrand, nantechnologies standardization project manager.
  • In partnership with Armand Masion (CEREGE) and Patrice Charpentier (ANSES).
  • This exchange will also be an opportunity to explore the creation of a national platform to identify standardization needs.
  • Website: https://www.afnor.org/evenements/qualite/nanotechnologies-agriculture-cadre-pratique-responsable

16
Mars
2026
Metallic nano-objects (MNO 2026, Bordeaux – France)
Bordeaux
Conference

  • International conference on metallic nano-objects for experts working in the interdisciplinary field of metallic nanoparticles, with a particular emphasis on nanoparticle synthesis and characterization, plasmonics, optics and photonics, catalysis, biomedicine, electronics, and nanoparticle recycling
  • Organizers / Partners: CNRS, Bordeaux University, Bordeaux INP, ICMCB, CRPP, CBMN, ISM
  • Website: https://mno2026.sciencesconf.org