[Updated] EU SCCS Releases the Final Opinion on Benzyl Salicylate

Editor's Notes: This article was originally published on June 15, 2023, and was updated on November 7, 2023, as per the latest developments. The updated contents are marked in red below. 

On June 13, 2023, EU Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety (SCCS) initiated a ten-week public consultation on the preliminary opinion concerning Benzyl Salicylate (CAS No. 118-58-1). Following the consultation period, SCCS published the final opinion on November 6, 2023, which reaffirms the same conclusion.¹

Benzyl Salicylate commonly serves a perfuming function in cosmetics. As an established contact allergen in humans, it is a restricted ingredient currently regulated under Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009 (Cosmetics Regulation), and subject to individual labelling requirement. To comply with this requirement, its presence shall be indicated in the ingredients list on product packaging when its concentration exceeds 0.001% in leave-on products and 0.01% in rinse-off products. 

In addition, Benzyl Salicylate was included in the European Commission’s priority list of potential endocrine disruptors (EDs) due to concerns about its adverse effects. Following a public call for data and information, SCCS conducted a safety assessment on it, and concluded that the use of Benzyl Salicylate is safe in cosmetics when being used up to the maximum concentrations specified as follows:

Further Reading

• EU to Adopt 11 Changes to the Use Requirements for Cosmetic Ingredients

• EU to Amend the Use Requirements for 13 Nanomaterials in Cosmetics

• EU SCCS Finalizes the Opinion as to Salicylic Acid