§ Mr. Matthew TaylorTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if he has made an assessment of the health implications in respect of the clearance given for use as additives in cosmetics of(a) silver nitrate, (b) ammonia and (c) aluminium-based substances; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. FreemanNo separate assessment has been made. Certain substances used in cosmetics are controlled by the Cosmetic Products (Safety) Regulations 1989 (SI 1989 No. 2233) which implements European Council directive 76/768/EEC as amended by EEC directive 82/368/EEC and subsequent Commission directives. The regulations detail substances that are either not permitted in cosmetics or are permitted subject to specified restrictions. Colouring agents other than those used solely to colour hair, preservatives and UV filters are not permitted unless listed in the schedules to the regulations. Advice on the safety in use of substances used in cosmetics is provided by the EEC Scientific Committee on Cosmetology.
875WSilver nitrate, ammonia and aluminium based substances are allowed in cosmetics only up to specified limits and the products must be labelled as containing these substances. They are listed in schedule 2, part I of the regulations as
substances which cosmetics must not contain except subject to the restrictions laid down.
§ Mr. Matthew TaylorTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if he has made an assessment of the implications for human health of the clearance given to additives for use in cosmetics which are banned for use as additives in food products.
§ Mr. FreemanExposure to substances approved for use in cosmetics, that is those substances covered by the EEC cosmetics directives, is not comparable to exposure to approved food additives which are invariably ingested. Both are approved only after careful assessment of the health implications. If the hon. Member has any particular substance in mind perhaps he would let me know the details.
§ Mr. Matthew TaylorTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will outline his Department's responsibilities in respect of the safety of cosmetic products.
§ Mr. FreemanThe Department of Health provides advice to the Department of Trade and Industry on all matters pertaining to the safety assessment of cosmetics. Also a toxocologist from the Department is a member of the EEC's Scientific Committee on Cosmetology, established under the terms of the cosmetics directives to advise on the toxicity of cosmetic ingredients and products.