ECHA, the Helsinki-based European Chemicals Agency, has identified 285 across-the-board cosmetic products containing chemicals that are banned in Europe. Some include ingredients “suspected” of causing cancer and “damaging fertility”. The pilot project, which was conducted by national authorities in all 13 member states of the European Economic Area (EEA), found that around 6% of the approximately 4,500 cosmetic products inspected contained hazardous substances that are banned under European regulations, according to an ECHA statement.
ECHA said tests were carried out between November 2023 and April 2024 using very straightforward methodology. The inspectors simply read the ingredients listed on the products as they looked for evidence that they might contain substances subject to EU regulations—one that bans persistent organic pollutants and the other that requires the registration, evaluation, authorisation, and restriction of chemicals.
“Consumers should be aware that the restricted substances were found in different types of cosmetic products, from various sellers and at all price ranges”, ECHA pointed out.
The main purpose of the pilot project was to seek indications of the presence of perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), long-chain perfluorocarboxylic acids (PFCAs) and related substances, and cyclic siloxanes D4 and D5. Perfluorononyl dimethicone, which degrades into PFOA and PFCAs, was often found in pencil and crayon eyeliners and lipliners, while D4 and D5 were often present in conditioners and hair masks.
“PFOA and siloxanes, D4 and D5, break down slowly in the environment and build up in humans and other species. PFOA is not only persistent in the environment but also toxic to reproduction and suspected of causing cancer. D4 is also suspected of damaging fertility”, ECHA said.
The ECHA statement said enforcement agencies are taking steps to remove the non-compliant products from the market while they continue to look into “about half the cases.” In most cases, suppliers have been given an advisory guide “on how to comply with the law.”
