EC Committee’s Preliminary Opinion on HAA299 (Nano) as a UV Filter Open for Public Comment
The European Commission’s (EC) Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety (SCCS) has begun a public comment period on its preliminary opinion on HAA299 (nano). The EC asked SCCS whether it considered HAA299 (nano) safe when used as an ultraviolet (UV) filter in cosmetic products up to a maximum concentration of ten percent. According to the preliminary opinion, SCCS considers that HAA299 (nano) as covered within the provided characteristics is safe when used as a UV filter in dermally applied cosmetic products up to a maximum concentration of ten percent. The preliminary opinion states that based on the inflammatory effects on the lung after acute inhalation exposure, SCCS has concerns regarding the repeated use of products containing HAA299 (nano) in applications that could lead to inhalation exposure. Therefore, SCCS does not recommend the use of HAA299 (nano) in applications that could lead to inhalation exposure. The EC asked whether in view of SCCS’s previous opinion (SCCS/1533/14) it considers HAA299 non-nano and nano form safe when used as a UV filter in cosmetic products up to a maximum concentration of ten percent. According to SCCS, the data considered in its preliminary opinion have not provided any new or additional concern, and it considers HAA299, either as non-nano or nano form, safe when used as a UV filter in dermally applied cosmetic products up to a maximum concentration of ten percent. The EC asked whether SCCS has any further scientific concerns on human health with regard to the use of HAA299 (nano) in cosmetic products. The preliminary opinion is based on the currently available scientific evidence, showing an overall very low level or lack of dermal absorption of HAA299 (nano) in human skin. SCCS notes that if any new evidence emerges in the future to show that HAA299 (nano) used as a UV filter in cosmetic products can penetrate human skin (healthy, compromised, sunburned, or damaged skin) to reach viable cells, in higher levels than demonstrated in this submission, then it may consider revising its assessment. Comments are due September 27, 2021.