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”.
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Upcoming Nano Agenda
- International Conference on Advanced Nanotechnology and Nano Materials
- September 22 & 23, 2025
- Website: https://advnanotech.authorsequity.org
- 15th Meeting on Nanoscience Advances (MNA 2025)
- Organized by: C’Nano (CNRS), Aix-Marseille University
- Dates: from September 29th to October 2nd
- Website: https://cnano-paca.fr/conf/mna2025/index.html
- Training for nanomaterial handlers (technicians, engineers, PhD students, researchers, etc.) and prevention assistants
- Organizers: CNRS
- Objectives: learn about the risks involved in handling nanomaterials and the prevention and protection measures to be implemented, as well as best practices for limiting exposure.
- Topics covered:
- Health effects / Risk assessment
- Preventive measures / Good laboratory practice / Time and space management / Collective and individual protection / Cleaning methods for surfaces, materials and equipment / Product storage / Product management
- Hands-on workshops:
- Implementing best practices when handling nanometric powders / Case studies / Assessment & recommendations
- Case studies: risk analysis and recommendations
- Examples of workstation design involving nanomaterials
- Website: https://formation.ifsem.cnrs.fr/training/1027/4426