A draft law on PFAs has just approved by the French National Assembly
On Thursday April 4th, MEPs unanimously approved a draft law to restrict PFAS, also known as “eternal pollutants”. From 1 January 2026, the manufacture, import and sale of cosmetics, wax products (for skiing) and clothing textiles (except for protective clothing for safety professionals) containing these substances could be banned in France. Kitchen utensils, initially covered by the draft law adopted by the Sustainable Development Committee the previous week, were excluded from the text after a strong campaign by manufacturers.
Another major measure in the bill concerns PFAS in water, with a gradual ban on aqueous discharges that are sources of PFAS and the obligation to monitor their presence in drinking water. It also calls on the government to produce a report setting out “updated health standards”.
[Reference : Rapport fait au nom de la Commission du Développement Durable et de l’Aménagement du territoire sur la proposition de loi visant à protéger la population des risques liés aux substances per- et polyfluoroalkylées (n°2229), 27 mars 2024 ; XVIe législature Session ordinaire de 2023-2024, Première séance du jeudi 04 avril 2024, Protéger la population des risques liés aux Pfas].
Assessment of the sensitization potential of Citral by the SCCS
The SCCS has noted certain aspects of the QRA2 methodology that still need to be clarified and possibly refined. While some questions remain, the SCCS is of the opinion that the evaluation based on the QRA2 methodology has indicated that citral can be considered safe regarding the induction of sensitization at the proposed concentrations for use in cosmetic products.
Although the proposed QRA2 methodology is an improvement over the QRA1 methodology, the SCCS recommendation is specific to the sensitization potential of citral at the proposed use concentrations. Further case studies are needed to confirm the applicability of this approach to other fragrances and cosmetic ingredients. In the meantime, the SCCS will individually assess the relevance (for a population not already sensitized) of this methodology for other fragrances and cosmetic ingredients.
The opinion remains open for comments until June 2, 2024.
[Reference: SCCS Opinion on Citral sensisisation endpoint SCCS/1666/24 Preliminary Opinion 27/03/2024].
Step towards the end of microplastics
The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) defines a microplastic as a solid particle of plastic material less than 5mm in size, composed of blends of polymers and functional additives, which may also contain residual impurities. These microplastics may be produced intentionally or unintentionally, and are harmful to the environment.
Regulation 2023/2055, which institutes new restrictions applicable to synthetic polymer microparticles under the REACH Regulation, aims to restrict the use of intentionally added microplastics to 0.01% by mass, a real challenge for the cosmetics industry.
To prepare for this, identifying and quantifying these particles in products is a key step. Advanced analysis technologies, such as mass spectrometry, are capable of detecting and quantifying microplastics even at very low levels, thus ensuring that products comply with EU restrictions.
Microplastics, Echa, consulted on 16/04/2024
Questions and answers on the restriction of intentionally added microplastics, European Commission, 25/09/2023
COMMISSION REGULATION (EU) 2023/2055 of September 25, 2023 amending Annex XVII to Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006 of the European Parliament and of the Council on the Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH).