Endocrine disruptors (EDs) are chemical substances of natural or artificial origin that are foreign to the body. They can interfere with the functioning of the endocrine system and have harmful effects on an individual’s body or its descendants (WHO, 2002).
What are endocrine disruptors?
The list of substances suspected of having this type of effect is regularly amended as new knowledge is acquired. These include: certain pesticides (organochlorines, fungicides, herbicides), plasticisers (phthalates, bisphenol A), flame retardants (PBDEs), coatings (PFAs), etc.
Cosmetic products contain parabens and phthalates, for example. They contain oestrogenic compounds that are absorbed into the skin and can cause skin reactions, allergies and irritations.
Consumer information on the presence of endocrine disruptors is making slow progress.
In France, Article 13 of the Agec law (anti-waste law for a circular economy), which requires consumers to be informed, was passed on 10 February 2020. This law officially came into force on 1 January 2022. To be applied, the publication of 3 ministerial decrees was awaited.
These orders were published in the Journal Officiel on 28 September 2023.
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– List order decree determines the list of known, presumed or suspected endocrine disrupters on the basis of a proposal from Anses. While the Anses has listed 906 endocrine disrupters in these 3 categories, the list order is based on the ECHA’s list of substances of very high concern, i.e. just 116. Suspected endocrine disrupters have disappeared in the shuffle.
– The decree as a means of communication. “This decree designates an alternative means of informing the public about the presence in products of substances with proven, presumed or suspected endocrine disrupting properties. This information will be provided using the Scan4chem smartphone application, which can be used to scan products.
– Modal Decree specifies that this obligation to provide information “applies to the product as a whole and its primary packaging or sales packaging whenever the concentration of a substance with known or suspected endocrine-disrupting properties is greater than 0.1% by mass, either in the product concerned or in its packaging. The information is expressed in the form of the words: “contains one or more substances with known or suspected endocrine disrupting properties“. Furthermore, the information also specifies whether the substance or substances concerned are present in the product or its packaging.
The fact that this project has been completed is a first victory.
However, the reduced list of substances concerned is a disappointment. Many molecules suspected of being endocrine disruptors are not covered by the information. We’re not talking about a ban here, but about information.
CONCLUSION :
THE BEAUTY & WELLNESS INDUSTRY IS IMPACTED
Information on the presence of the endocrine disrupters listed in the decree, must be made available by 12 April 2024 at the latest.
From the choice of your natural or synthetic raw materials, through every stage of the process, right up to the marketing of your finished products, the presence of EDs must be controlled.
But did you know that there are analytical In Vitro tests that comply with Cosmetics Regulation n°1223/2009, to identify, quantify and eliminate the risk of Endocrine Disruptors (oestrogenic, androgenic, thyroid, etc.) in your matrices?
From now on, don't hesitate to contact us to help you analyse your matrices and anticipate regulatory changes.
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- Cosmetic Packaging: Airless, bio-sourced & refillable for greener products
- Cosmetics: towards green formulation
- Powdered cosmetics, a trend to follow?
- Regulation and development of cosmetic ranges or well-being products
- https://www.instagram.com/mesactifsprecieuxbyncc/
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