Terms of Reference
The SCCNFP recently
reviewed the safety of hydrogen
(carbamide) peroxide in tooth
whitening products following a
request to increase the
permitted level in Annex III of
Directive 76/768/EEC from 0.1
to 3.6%.
Subsequently to this
review, the SCCNFP adopted an
opinion (doc. n°
SCCNFP/0058/98) in the 7th
Plenary meeting of 17 February
1999.
The conclusion given in
this opinion was :
The content of hydrogen
peroxide in tooth whitening
products should not exceed 3.6%
(10% carbamide peroxide). Tooth
whitening products containing
more than 0.1% hydrogen
peroxide (0.3% carbamide
peroxide) should exclusively be
administered under supervision
of a dentist ("take home"). The
products should contain a
printed warning against overuse
or reuse of tooth whitening
products several times and that
they should not be used during
pregnancy or by habitual
tobacco and alcohol users.
It was the opinion of
the Commission services,
responsible for the regulation
of cosmetic products within the
Community, that it would be
inappropriate to provide for
such an ingredient, with the
restrictions specified in the
opinion of the SCCNFP, in
Directive 76/768/EEC on
cosmetic products.
Mandate
Following the
restrictions advised in the
opinion of the SCCNFP, tooth
whitening products containing
3.6% hydrogen peroxide should
not be used during pregnancy or
by tobacco or alcohol users,
thereby excluding over 50% of
the general population.
In order for the
material to be used in cosmetic
products, it is proposed that a
level is found which allows
free use by the majority
Therefore, the SCCNFP is
asked to address the following
questions :
* Based upon the
scientific data presented to
date, which level can hydrogen
peroxide be safely used in a
cosmetic product without
necessitating warning
statements against use during
pregnancy or by tobacco and
alcohol users?
* At which concentration
can hydrogen peroxide be safely
used in cosmetic products that
are freely available to
consumers (i.e. distribution is
not restricted to healthcare
professionals)?
* Does the SCCNFP
recommend any modifications or
amendments to its previous
opinion on the safety of
hydrogen peroxide in oral care
cosmetic products based on the
dossier submitted?
* Does the SCCNFP
maintain the necessity for the
previously advised warning
statements and restrictions on
the use of hydrogen peroxide
(and equivalent) in oral care
cosmetics products, in the
light of the latest submission.
Clarification
The SCCNFP re-evaluated
the questions raised by COLIPA
in Submission II and decided to
remove the term "during
pregnancy or" from the Opinion
since based on toxicokinetic
considerations it is unlikely
that hydrogen peroxide reaches
the foetus.
With the above exception
the SCCNFP hereby confirms its
opinion concerning hydrogen
(carbamide) peroxide) in tooth
whitening products of 17
February 1999 and recommends no
other modifications or
amendments to this opinion.
Moreover, the SCCNFP states
that, based upon the scientific
data presented to date,
hydrogen (carbamide) peroxide
can be safely used in a
cosmetic product without
necessitating warning
statements against use by
tobacco and alcohol users at a
maximum level of 0.1%.
Up to a concentration of
0.1%, hydrogen (carbamide)
peroxide can be safely used in
cosmetic products that are
freely available to the
consumer (i.e. their
distribution is not restricted
to healthcare professionals).
Consequently, the SCCNFP
maintains the necessity for the
advised warning statements and
restrictions on the use of
hydrogen peroxide (and
equivalent) in teeth bleaching
products.
The revised Opinion
reads :
The content of hydrogen
peroxide in tooth whitening
products should not exceed 3.6%
(10% carbamide peroxide). Tooth
whitening products containing
more than 0.1% hydrogen
peroxide (0.3% carbamide
peroxide) should exclusively be
administered under supervision
of a dentist ("take home").
These products should contain a
printed warning against overuse
or reuse of tooth whitening
products several times and that
they should not be used by
habitual tobacco and alcohol
users.
The SCCNFP has reviewed
the use of hydrogen peroxide
and hydrogen peroxide releasing
substances in tooth pastes and
mouth-rinses (doc. n°
SCCNFP/0158/99).