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Editor's note: This article was originally published on March 6, 2024, and was updated on October 29, 2024, as per the latest developments. The updated contents are marked in red below.
On March 5, 2024, EU Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety (SCCS) released the preliminary opinion on the inhalation toxicity of Acetylated Vetiver Oil (CAS No. 84082-84-8) in sprayable cosmetics.1 Following an extensive consultation, SCCS released the final opinion on October 25, 2024, reaffirming the initial conclusion.2
Acetylated Vetiver Oil (AVO) is commonly used as a perfuming agent in cosmetics. To provide guidance for its safe use, SCCS adopted the opinion SCCS/1599/18 in February 2019, along with a subsequent corrigendum in June of the same year. According to this opinion, the use of AVO (with 1% alpha-tocopherol) as a fragrance ingredient in both leave-on and rinse-off cosmetic products is deemed safe at the concentrations proposed by the International Fragrance Association (IFRA), as presented in the table below.
Product Type | Maximum Concentration |
Hydroalcoholic-based fragrances (e.g. Eau de Toilette, Perfume, Aftershave, Cologne) | 0.9% |
Deodorants | 0.05% |
Make-up products (e.g. eye make-up, make-up remover, liquid foundation, mascara, eyeliner, lipstick) | 0.05% |
Face cream | 0.1% |
Hand cream | 0.1% |
Body lotion | 0.1% |
Hair styling | 0.1% |
Bath cleansing products (e.g. soaps, shower gel, rinse-off conditioner, shampoo) | 0.2% |
In opinion SCCS/1599/18, SCCS also noted that the inhalation toxicity of AVO was not assessed due to a lack of data. In March 2023, the industry submitted a new assessment dossier specifically addressing the inhalation toxicity of AVO in sprayable cosmetic products. In response, SCCS conducted another safety assessment, and compiled this opinion. Considering the data provided concerning inhalation toxicity and aggregate exposure, SCCS is of the opinion that AVO (with 1% alpha-tocopherol) is safe when used at the intended maximum concentrations of:
0.9% (w/w) in fragrance pump sprays;
0.05% (w/w) in deodorant sprays; and
0.1% (w/w) in hairsprays and body lotion sprays.
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