Opinion of the Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety (SCCS) – Final Opinion on propylparaben (CAS No 94-13-3, EC No 202-307-7)

SCCS Members, SCCS External Experts, Laurent Bodin*, Vera Rogiers, Ulrike Bernauer, Qasim Chaudhry, Pieter Jan Coenraads, Maria Dusinska, Janine Ezendam, Eric Gaffet, Corrado Ludovico Galli, Berit Granum, Eirini Panteri, Christophe Rousselle, Maciej Stepnik, Tamara Vanhaecke, Susan Wijnhoven, Aglaia Koutsodimou, Wolfgang Uter, Natalie von Goetz

*Corresponding author for this work

    Research output: Contribution to journalComment/Letter to the editorAcademicpeer-review

    4 Citations (Scopus)
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    Abstract

    In cosmetic products, the ingredient propylparaben (CAS No 94-13-3, EC No 202-307-7) with the chemical names Propyl 4-hydroxybenzoate and 4-Hydroxybenzoic acid propyl ester is currently regulated as a preservative in a concentration up to 0.14% (as acid) (Annex V/12a). In addition, a safe concentration was established for mixtures of parabens, where the sum of the individual concentrations should not exceed 0.8% (as acid). However, in such mixtures the sum of the individual concentrations of butyl- and propylparaben and their salts should not exceed 0.14%. Propylparaben was subject to different safety evaluations in 2005 (SCCP/0874/05), 2006 (SCCP/1017/06), 2008 (SCCP/1183/08), 2010 (SCCS/1348/10), 2011 (SCCS/1446/11), and in 2013 (SCCS/1514/13). On the basis of the safety assessment of propylparaben, and considering the concerns related to potential endocrine disrupting properties, the SCCS has concluded that propylparaben is safe when used as a preservative in cosmetic products up to a maximum concentration of 0.14%. The available data on propylparaben provide some indications for potential endocrine effects. However, the current level of evidence is not sufficient to regard it as an endocrine disrupting substance, or to derive a toxicological point of departure based on endocrine disrupting properties for use in human health risk assessment. The SCCS mandate does not address environmental aspects. Therefore, this assessment did not cover the safety of propylparaben for the environment. Link to the Opinion (SCCS/1623/20): https://ec.europa.eu/health/sites/default/files/scientific_committees/consumer_safety/docs/sccs_o_243.pdf

    Original languageEnglish
    Article number105005
    Number of pages2
    JournalRegulatory toxicology and pharmacology
    Volume125
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - Oct-2021

    Keywords

    • CAS No 94-13-3
    • EC No 202-307-7
    • Preservative
    • Propylparaben
    • Regulation 1223/2009
    • SCCS
    • SCCS/1623/20
    • Scientific opinion

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