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Directorate-General for Health and Food Safety
Executive Summary
1. General data
1.1 Identity of the ingredient : 2,2'-(1,4-Phenylene)bis)-1H-benzimidazole-4,6- disulfonic acid, monosodium salt)
1.2 CAS n° : 180898-37-7
1.3 Use : As an ultraviolet filter in sunscreen and other cosmetics at a maximum concentration of 10% expressed as free acid.
Maximum absorption at 340 nm.
2. Terms of reference
2.1 Context of the question
The adaptation to technical progress of the Annexes to Council Directive 76/768/EEC of 27 July 1976 on the approximation of the laws of the Member States relating to cosmetic products.
Request for inclusion of S80 in Annex VII, part 1 - List of UV filters which Cosmetic Products may contain - to Council Directive 76/768/EEC.
2.2 Request to the SCCNFP
The SCCNFP is requested to answer the following questions :
* Is 2,2'-(1,4-Phenylene)bis)-1H-benzimidazole-4,6-disulfonic acid, monosodium salt)safe for use in cosmetic products?
* Does the SCCNFP propose any restrictions or conditions for its use in cosmetic products?
3. Toxicological Evaluation & Characterisation
3.1 Acute toxicity (dermal, oral) : No special signs of toxicity were observed
3.2 Chronic/sub-chronic toxicity : No evidence of any dose related abnormalities
3.3 Photo-toxicity : No photo-toxic potential observed
3.4 Reproductive toxicity : No evidence of teratogenicity
3.5 Percutaneous absorption : No evidence of absorption of the active ingredient under the conditions of the experiment
3.6 Irritation and corrosivity : No effects suggesting irritating properties of the active ingredient observed
3.7 Allergenicity and sensitisation : The allergy/photo-allergy test was negative. No evidence of capacity to induce sensitisation
3.8 Genotoxicity/carcinogenicity : No evidence of genotoxic nor mutagenic properties
4. Opinion
The SCCNFP is of the opinion that 2,2'-(1,4-Phenylene)bis)-1H-benzimidazole-4,6-disulfonic acid, monosodium salt) is safe for use in cosmetic products as a UV light absorber at a maximum concentration of 10%.
The SCCNFP proposes no further restrictions or conditions for its use in cosmetic products.
5. Statement on the toxicological evaluation
The SCCNFP is the scientific advisory body to the European Commission in matters of consumer protection with respect to cosmetics and non-food products intended for consumers.
The Commission's general policy regarding research on animals supports the development of alternative methods to replace or to reduce animal testing when possible. In this context, the SCCNFP has a specific working group on alternatives to animal testing which, in co-operation with other Commission services such as ECVAM (European Centre for Validation of Alternative Methods), evaluates these methods.
SCCNFP opinions include evaluations of experiments using laboratory animals; such tests are conducted in accordance with all legal provisions and preferably under chemical law regulations. Only in cases where no alternative method is available will such tests be evaluated and the resulting data accepted, in order to meet the fundamental requirements of the protection of consumer health.
1. General data
1.1 Identity of the ingredient : 2,2'-(1,4-Phenylene)bis)-1H-benzimidazole-4,6- disulfonic acid, monosodium salt)
1.2 CAS n° : 180898-37-7
1.3 Use : As an ultraviolet filter in sunscreen and other cosmetics at a maximum concentration of 10% expressed as free acid.
Maximum absorption at 340 nm.
2. Terms of reference
2.1 Context of the question
The adaptation to technical progress of the Annexes to Council Directive 76/768/EEC of 27 July 1976 on the approximation of the laws of the Member States relating to cosmetic products.
Request for inclusion of S80 in Annex VII, part 1 - List of UV filters which Cosmetic Products may contain - to Council Directive 76/768/EEC.
2.2 Request to the SCCNFP
The SCCNFP is requested to answer the following questions :
* Is 2,2'-(1,4-Phenylene)bis)-1H-benzimidazole-4,6-disulfonic acid, monosodium salt)safe for use in cosmetic products?
* Does the SCCNFP propose any restrictions or conditions for its use in cosmetic products?
3. Toxicological Evaluation & Characterisation
3.1 Acute toxicity (dermal, oral) : No special signs of toxicity were observed
3.2 Chronic/sub-chronic toxicity : No evidence of any dose related abnormalities
3.3 Photo-toxicity : No photo-toxic potential observed
3.4 Reproductive toxicity : No evidence of teratogenicity
3.5 Percutaneous absorption : No evidence of absorption of the active ingredient under the conditions of the experiment
3.6 Irritation and corrosivity : No effects suggesting irritating properties of the active ingredient observed
3.7 Allergenicity and sensitisation : The allergy/photo-allergy test was negative. No evidence of capacity to induce sensitisation
3.8 Genotoxicity/carcinogenicity : No evidence of genotoxic nor mutagenic properties
4. Opinion
The SCCNFP is of the opinion that 2,2'-(1,4-Phenylene)bis)-1H-benzimidazole-4,6-disulfonic acid, monosodium salt) is safe for use in cosmetic products as a UV light absorber at a maximum concentration of 10%.
The SCCNFP proposes no further restrictions or conditions for its use in cosmetic products.
5. Statement on the toxicological evaluation
The SCCNFP is the scientific advisory body to the European Commission in matters of consumer protection with respect to cosmetics and non-food products intended for consumers.
The Commission's general policy regarding research on animals supports the development of alternative methods to replace or to reduce animal testing when possible. In this context, the SCCNFP has a specific working group on alternatives to animal testing which, in co-operation with other Commission services such as ECVAM (European Centre for Validation of Alternative Methods), evaluates these methods.
SCCNFP opinions include evaluations of experiments using laboratory animals; such tests are conducted in accordance with all legal provisions and preferably under chemical law regulations. Only in cases where no alternative method is available will such tests be evaluated and the resulting data accepted, in order to meet the fundamental requirements of the protection of consumer health.
