Having being notified of the product selling in Bulgaria and investigating, the Commission banned the marketing and accompanying measures of the FEG eyebrow enhancer serum after its Rapid Alert System for Non-Food Products (RAPEX) rated it as a ‘serious risk’ level due to the chemical.
In cosmetics and personal care products, CosmeticsInfo.org says that Benzalkonium Chloride is used in the formulation of shampoos, personal cleanliness products, skin cleansers, and skin care and eye make-up preparations.
The ingredient is used to prevent or inhibit the growth and reproduction of microorganisms in finished products.
It also functions as a foam booster and as a detergent, where it helps water to mix with oil and dirt so that they can be rinsed away.
According to the EU Cosmetics Directive, the maximum concentration of benzalkonium chloride allowed in rinse-off hair care products is 3%, however the EC notes that it is a skin and ocular irritant and that in other finished products the maximum concentration allowed is 0.1%.
The Commission notes in its alert, that the FEG eyebrow enhancer serum product, which originates from China, contains 2.5% of benzalkonium chloride, and “does not comply with the Cosmetic Products Regulation.”
RAPEX alert
In the alert, the EC describes the product in question as an eyebrow enhancing serum in a white bottle with black cap (3ml), packaged in a cardboard box. This particular alert is relating to batch number 20131119.
The Rapid Exchange of Information System (RAPEX) is the EU rapid alert system for unsafe consumer products and consumer protection.
RAPEX cover products such as cosmetics, as well as clothing, shoes, jewellery or toys with potentially harmful ingredients or quality or even products with technical faults, electrical appliances that present an electric shock or ignition hazard.
RAPEX allows a quick exchange of information on measures such as repatriation or product recalls, whether carried out by national authorities or by voluntary action of manufacturers and distributors.