The European Commission (EC) requested a scientific opinion from the Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety (SCCS) on styrene/acrylates copolymer and sodium styrene/acrylates copolymer in nano forms.  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 eight notifications of cosmetic products containing styrene/acrylates copolymer and sodium styrene/acrylates copolymer in nano forms.  The EC states that, according to the applicants, the ingredients are used in nano coated form in leave-on cosmetic products with a maximum reported concentration limit of 0.06 percent and specifications as reported in the list appended to the EC’s request.  The EC states that it has concerns on the use of sodium styrene/acrylates copolymer (nano) and styrene/acrylates copolymer (nano) because of the potential for nanoparticles to be absorbed and enter into the cells.  The EC’s request to the SCCS lists the following questions:

• In view of the above, and taking into account the scientific data provided, the SCCS is requested to give its opinion on the safety of the nanomaterial styrene/acrylates copolymer and sodium styrene/acrylates copolymer when used in leave-on cosmetics products with a maximum concentration limit of 0.06 percent, taking into account the reasonably foreseeable exposure conditions; and
• The SCCS is requested 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.

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