The European Commission (EC) has requested a scientific opinion from the Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety (SCCS) on colloidal silver (nano). Under the Cosmetics Regulation, any cosmetic product containing a nanomaterial must be notified to the EC six months prior to being placed on the market.  If the EC has concerns about the safety of the nanomaterial, it will refer it to the SCCS for a full risk assessment.  According to the EC, it has received 63 notifications of cosmetic products containing colloidal silver in nano form.  The EC states that, according to the applicants, colloidal silver is used in nano uncoated form both in leave-on and rinse-off oral cosmetics products, including toothpastes and skin care products with a maximum reported concentration limit of one percent and specifications as reported in the EC’s request.  The EC states that it has concerns on the use of colloidal silver in nano form because of the potential for nanoparticles to be absorbed and enter into the cells.  The EC requests the SCCS conduct a safety assessment of the nano form of colloidal silver covered in the notifications listed in the annex to its request, in the above-mentioned categories of products, taking into account the reasonably foreseeable exposure conditions.

1. In view of above, and taken into account the scientific data provided, the SCCS is requested to give its opinion on the safety of the nanomaterial colloidal silver when used in cosmetics, including toothpastes and skin care products with a maximum concentration limit of one percent, taking into account the reasonably foreseeable exposure conditions; and
2. The SCCS is requested to address any further scientific concerns with regard to the use of colloidal silver in nano form in cosmetic products.

The SCCS’s scientific opinion is due six months from receipt of the EC’s request.

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