SCCS - Guidance on the safety assessment of nanomaterials in cosmetics - 2nd revision

This Guidance has updated the current Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety (SCCS) Guidance on the Safety Assessment of Nanomaterials (NMs) in Cosmetics and on the Safety Assessment of NMs in Cosmetic Products. It includes general considerations, material characterization, exposure assessment, hazard identification and dose-response characterization, risk assessment, and the key safety assessment components. Given the dynamic nature of NM safety research, the recommendations may be updated in the future to reflect any advancements in understanding.

The following are the main modifications to the SCCS advice on the safety evaluation of nanomaterials in cosmetics:
 - Some of the new parts are solubility and dissolution rate, solubility in non-aqueous fluids, evidence that there are no nanoparticles, dispersion, aspect ratio, blood cell absorption, reproductive toxicity, and endocrine disruption.
 - The newly proposed definition of nanomaterials by the European Commission, to be published in 2022,
 - On the basis of SCCS/1618/2020, many key elements that raise safety concerns about a nanomaterial have been presented.
 - Based on the material that has been released since the previous update, other parts and Annex 1 have been revised.
 - The read-across and grouping sections have been updated.
 - There is a section that explains when it is acceptable to use historical or existing data.