1. Preamble

Classification of substances as ingredients of cosmetic products is recommended by the Scientific Committee on Cosmetic Products and Non-Food Products intended for Consumers on the basis of scientific evaluation of data provided pursuant to the Guidelines on the Safety Assessment of Cosmetic Ingredients *. The overriding consideration is that the substances should be safe for consumer use under conditions of intended exposure at the relevant concentrations.

Candidate substances for the listing of controlled compounds must not be used until a final classification in Group 1 has been made. For substances already in use, the classification may be reconsidered if necessary.

For substances under consideration/evaluation for which there are insufficient data for a final safety assessment, additional information must be adequate and provided within a specified time limit. Otherwise it is concluded that no further use of the substance in cosmetic products is intended and should not be allowed for the specified purpose.

2. Classification

Group 1:

Substances for which data at the time of assessment support the conclusion that they do not pose a health hazard. They may be used in cosmetic products for the designated purposes and, if necessary, in concentrations not exceeding the limits indicated.

Group 2 :

Substances which must not be used in cosmetic products. Substances may be included in this group because either

2A : the available data support the conclusion that they constitute a health hazard (2A)or

2B : the available data do not justify the assumption that their use in cosmetic products can be considered safe at the time of evaluation (2B).

Group 3 :

Substances under consideration/evaluation but already in use and on the market for an extended period may remain under special provisions but only for a limited time which is recommended, scientifically based, by the SCCNFP depending on the content of the existing submission file.