News

20.12.2018 - Cosmetics

Report of the 21st meeting of the BfR Commission for Cosmetic Products published

Recently, the protocol of the last meeting of the BfR Commission for Cosmetics was published on the homepage of the BfR (Federal Institute for Risk Assessment in Berlin). The expert panel advises on current issues of cosmetic product assessment and meets twice a year.

Topics of the last meeting included prostaglandin analogs in eyelash growth products, current issues on contact allergies to preservatives, and the use of chlorine dioxide in tooth whitening products.

The assessment of nitrosamine residues in cosmetic products was also discussed. According to Article 14a of Regulation (EC) 1223/2009, these substances are prohibited because they may have carcinogenic potential. Only the presence of small amounts is allowed in cases of technical unavoidability and health safety. It was stated as a goal to intensify the examination of nail polish products for nitrosamines, as this product group surprisingly showed high levels in a monitoring conducted by the Cantonal Laboratory Basel.

You can find the report by the Swiss authority here: http://www.kantonslabor.bs.ch/berichte/non-food.html

You can find the BfR Commission meeting protocol here: https://www.bfr.bund.de/cm/343/21-sitzung-der-bfr-kommission-fuer-kosmetische-mittel.pdf

The BAV Institute and its Tentamus laboratory partners conduct a wide range of analyses for you, such as contents of nitrosamines and other prohibited substances like heavy metals, PAHs, and pesticides.