California Updates List of Carcinogenic Cosmetics Chemicals

by Margs

Recently, the State of California updated its list of chemicals known or suspected to cause cancer or reproductive toxicity. The updates are based on information provided by California Proposition 65 and other authoritative bodies.

There are a number of new chemicals on this list, including benzophenone and diethanolamine.

Additionally, California has updated its cosmetic product categorization system. California's product categories have been edited to cover a wider range of products. New categories include:

Baby Products: Baby Wash/Soap
Bath Products: Body Washes and Soaps
Makeup Products: Mascara/Eyelash Products
Nail Products: UV Gel Nail Polish

The California Safe Cosmetics Program requires manufacturers, packers and distributors identified on the cosmetic label to file a list of all their cosmetic products that contain any ingredients identified by California as known or suspected to cause cancer, birth defects, or adverse developmental or other reproductive toxicity, including colours and fragrances.

Reports must be filed even if the cosmetic product has been discontinued or reformulated since 2007. California maintains a list of these cosmetic ingredients and updates their list periodically. Any cosmetic product sold in California that contains an ingredient on the California list must be reported.

The reporting process is made more difficult by the fact that many of the listed chemicals have alternative names, synonyms, or multiple CAS numbers, which are not necessarily captured on California's list but may still be subject to reporting.

Failure to report is a criminal offence, so it is important to verify whether cosmetics contain any of these ingredients, including newly added ingredients, and to verify that these cosmetics are properly reported.

Over 20% of all cosmetic products sold in the United States are sold in the state of California.

Source: Registrar Corp