The task was assigned to the Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety, which determined new concentration limits on these ingredients following an assessment.
The latest ruling, submitted by Cosmetics Europe in the form of three dossiers is as follows:
- HC Red No 17, for use in non-oxidative hair colouring products at concentrations of up to 0.5%
- 3-[(4-amino-6-bromo-5,8-dihydro-l-hydroxy-8-imino- 5-oxo-2-naphthalenyl)amino]-N,N,N-trimethyl benzenaminium chloride (Basic Blue 99), for use in hair dye formulations with a maximum on-head concentration of 1.0%
- 3-[(E)-(3-chloro-4-hydroxyphenyl)diazenyl]-2,l-benzisothiazole-5-sulfonamide (HC Blue 18), for use as a direct hair colouring agent, on-head concentration up to 0.35% in non-oxidative, as well as in oxidative, hair dye formulations
Hair dye rulings frequently on EC's agenda
The SCCS only just published opinions on 3-amino-2,6-dimethylphenol; hydroxyethoxy aminopyrazolopyridine HCl; and Basic Brown 17, back in July.
It found that all three hair dye ingredients are safe for consumer use when used in a maximum concentration of 2%.
The first submission of the substance 3-amino-2,6-dimethylphenol A162 was received in July 2013 by Cosmetics Europe. It has since been called for safety evaluation in regards to being used in hair dye formulations at an on-head concentration of up to 2.0%.
The present submission for Hydroxyethoxy aminopyrazolopyridine HCl used in hair dye formulations is also at a concentration of up to 2.0% in finished cosmetic products, however the SCCS was also asked to look into the substance's applicability in oxidative hair dye formulations.
Finally, the safety of Basic Brown 17 (B007), has been looked into several times. The first scientific opinion was adopted back in December 2004, the second in 2008 and the third in June 2012.
The last opinion concluded that the information was insufficient to allow a final risk and that a proper chemical specification with respect to its purity and impurities; data on its' stability in test solutions and in typical hair dye formulations needed to be submitted.