On March 2, 2018, the European Commission (EC) Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety (SCCS) began a public consultation on its preliminary opinion on certain styrene/acrylates copolymer (nano) and sodium styrene/acrylates copolymer (nano).  The EC received eight notifications of cosmetic ingredients containing the copolymers in nano forms.  According to the preliminary opinion, the EC has concerns over the safety of the use of sodium styrene/acrylates copolymer (nano) and styrene/acrylates copolymer (nano) in cosmetic products.  SCCS states that it cannot conclude on the safety of any of the three styrene/acrylate copolymer nano-entities submitted by the applicants.  The data submitted are insufficient to evaluate possible toxicity.  SCCS states that data should be provided separately for all of the three styrene/acrylate nanospheres, including any encapsulated substances.  The EC asked SCCS to address any further scientific concerns with regard to the use of styrene/acrylates copolymer and sodium styrene/acrylates copolymer in nano form in cosmetic products.  SCCS states:  “For applications as evaluated in this Opinion, it is imperative that the safety assessment not only considers safety of the individual components (e.g. the encapsulating material and the encapsulated contents), but also the safety of all the components when put together in the form of a nano-sized entity.”  The deadline for comments is May 11, 2018.

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