Cosmetics Europe Weekly Monitoring Report – Week 24/08/2015

Cosmetics Europe Weekly Monitoring Report – Week 24/08/2015
Media
Date
Key issue(s)
Article
New York Times
21/08/2015
Microbeads
Title: Microbeads, the Tiny Orbs Threatening Our Water
Summary: Plastic is believed to be the main contaminant in the huge garbage gyres that
pollute the oceans. Now researchers, led by Sherri Mason of the State University of New York
at Fredonia, have found a stunning amount of plastic in the largest freshwater ecosystem on
earth, the Great Lakes. And an increasing amount of it consists of the tiny plastic orbs used as
abrasives in products like toothpaste and anti-acne lotions.
Attachment: please find the article here
Chemical Watch
20/08/2015
Nanomaterials;
REACH regulation
SAS;
Title: 35 firms fight Echa decision on nano silicon dioxide
Summary: A group of 35 EU-based companies have asked Echa’s Board of Appeal to overrule
the agency’s decision to make silicon dioxide subject to evaluation under REACH because of
initial grounds for concern, relating to “the substance characterisation, nanoparticles and
toxicity of different forms of the substance”.
Attachment: please find the article here
The Telegraph
19/08/2015
Sunscreen
Title: Is sunscreen really toxic?
Summary: The message from Cancer Research UK, at least, is clear. “In the UK more than eight
in 10 cases of melanoma, the most serious type of skin cancer [13,348 cases were recorded in
the UK in 2011], could be prevented through enjoying the sun safely and avoiding sunburn,”
states the charity.
Attachment: please find the article here
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Cosmetics Europe Weekly Monitoring Report – Week 24/08/2015
Cosmetics
others
Business
&
18/08/2015
Allergies; henna
Title: Dermatologists report rise in reactions to 'black henna'
Summary: The British Skin Foundation has reported an increase in the number of allergic
reactions to 'black henna' temporary tattoos in the UK after surveying dermatologists working
in their clinics.
Four out of ten dermatologists asked reported treating patients with skin reactions to black
henna tattoos. One in 20 of those asked said that more than 80% of the reactions they had
seen were in children under the age of 16. Around two thirds of those surveyed also reported
an increase in patients needing treatment for reactions to hair dyes, many of these patients
had also reported a reaction to black henna tattoos.
Attachment: Please find the article here
Also here:
CTPA
Chemical Watch
Cosmetics Design Europe
Irish News
International Business Times
& others
New Europe
18/08/2015
Biocides
Title: Consumer protection and other”fairy tales”
Summary: How a biocide substance that has been considered toxic gets the benefit of the
doubt for many, many years
Attachment: please find the article here
La liberté
18/08/2015
Phthalates
Title: Les phtalates menacent la fertilité
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Cosmetics Europe Weekly Monitoring Report – Week 24/08/2015
Summary: Un individu mâle pourrait connaître des problèmes de fertilité s’il a été exposé aux
phtalates au stade de fœtus. Ce constat a été fait par une équipe de chercheurs des Hôpitaux
universitaires de Genève (HUG) qui ont mené des expériences sur des souris.
Selon les HUG, cette étude tend à démontrer que les individus sont inégaux devant les risques
liés aux expositions environnementales. Elle confirme aussi que la grossesse est une période
clé durant laquelle l’exposition à des facteurs environnementaux peut être associée à des
maladies à l’âge adulte.
Les phtalates sont des produits chimiques couramment utilisés pour rendre les matières
plastiques plus souples. On les retrouve notamment dans les cosmétiques, la peinture, les
vêtements et les jouets. Ils ont un effet perturbateur du système endocrinien, ont rappelé les
HUG.
Attachment: please find the article here
Cosmetics Design Europe
17/08/2015
Biodiversity; cosmetics
Title: What the new Brazilian biodiversity regulation means to cosmetics companies
Summary: With a new Brazilian regulation aiming to generate more research and cultivation of
indigenous plant species, cosmetics companies look set to benefit but will also be expected to
foot the bill.
Attachment: please find the article here
The Telegraph
10/08/2015
Labelling
Title: Are you naturally checking the beauty label too?
Summary: A new study in the US, aptly named The Green Beauty Barometer by eco-luxe brand
Kari Gran, has unearthed a shift in the way we shop for beauty, and it's a 'responsible
revolution' if you will.
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Cosmetics Europe Weekly Monitoring Report – Week 24/08/2015
Attachment: please find the article here
Country/Issue
Denmark/allergy, EDs
Summary/ Statement
Title: Liquid soaps fail chemistry test
Summary:
The Consumer Council Think Chemistry, has examined the declarations on 76 body lotions. 25 of these contain either allergenic
preservatives or substances which are suspected of having endocrine disrupting effects. 19 contained MI/MCI. Formaldehyde releasers
were also identified, together with triclosan, ethylhexyl metohoxycinnamate and BHT.
1/3 of the product received a red marking (they use a traffic light to illustrate). A number of products received a yellow marking as they
contain fragrances/perfume and extracts from plants while 19 got a green marking meaning they contain no problematic substances.
The article gives a five step guide on how to choose safe products: choose eco-labelled products, look for the allergy seal, check the
contents on the label, choose organic products but do not trust claims such as ‘pure’, ‘clean’ or ‘natural’ etc. and avoid products which
contain ingredients that are suspected endocrine disruptors.
SPT states that consumers are adequately protected through the EU regulation, that it is up to the manufacturer to decide which
ingredients to use as long as they are legal and safe – and that like salt it is the volume that makes the difference.
The article covers two full pages and there is a reference to the test on the front page of the paper (national daily).
Attachment: please see attachment (BT article)
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