[Updated] EU SCCS Finalizes the Opinion About Silver

Editor's note: This article was originally published on April 8, 2024, and was updated on July 5, 2024, as per the latest developments.

On April 4, 2024, EU Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety (SCCS) published its preliminary opinion on the safety of Silver (CAS No. 7440-22-4) in cosmetics.¹ Taking into account the comments received, SCCS issued the final opinion on July 3, 2024, which notably removed the previously specified safe-use concentration for this substance in shampoo.2

Silver is primarily used as a colorant in cosmetics, providing a silver hue to various cosmetic formulations. It is also reported to function as a conditioning agent in both rinse-off and leave-on products. In February 2023, the Risk Assessment Committee (RAC) of the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) recommended classifying Silver as "Toxic for Reproduction Category 2". Following the opinion, it is expected that the European Commission will incorporate this classification into Regulation 1272/2008 on Classification, Labelling and Packaging of Substances and Mixture (CLP Regulation). In light of the existing prohibition of substances classified as carcinogenic, mutagenic or toxic for reproduction (CMR) in Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009 (Cosmetics Regulation), the classification of Silver under this category may potentially lead to a ban on its use in cosmetics.

In October 2023, the industry submitted a dossier to support the safe use of micron-sized particulate Silver as a conditioning agent in cosmetics. Based on the provided information, SCCS conducted a safety assessment on this substance and reached the following conclusions:

Micron-sized particulate Silver is considered unsafe when used at concentrations up to 0.2% in rinse-off products and 0.3% in leave-on products, when used alone or in combination;
However, its use in shampoo, eye shadow and oral exposure products at specified concentrations is deemed safe, either used alone or in combination.

No.	Product Type	Maximum Concentration
1	Shampoo	0.2%
2	Eye shadow	0.2%
3	Lip balm	0.2%
4	Toothpaste (adult/children)	0.05%
5	Mouthwash	0.05%

[Updated] EU SCCS Finalizes the Opinion About Silver

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