Forbidden chemicals were found in hundreds of cosmetics – The Report of the European Chemicals Agency

Hundreds of products tested by the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) contained banned , as revealed in his report. Dangerous chemicals were found in 6% of 4,500 cosmetic products tested in 13 countries in Europe, according to ECHA research. The European Agency identified 285 products containing chemicals prohibited by EU regulations due to their health and environmental risks. The Agency inspected nearly 4,500 cosmetics in Austria, Denmark, Germany, Finland, Iceland, Italy, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Norway, Romania and Sweden between November 2023 and April 2024. Many of the banned compounds were hyperfluorinated alkylated substances (PFAS), known as “permanent chemicals. ” Substances ‘have been identified as organic pollutants or bioaccumulators and toxicants which adversely affect human health and the environment’, according to the ECHA Communication. For example, perfluoronyl dimethicone, contained in certain eye and lip pencils, may be deconstructed into PFOA, which is known to remain in the environment and is suspected of causing cancer. Cyclotetrasiloxane (D4), detected in softeners and hair masks, is also associated with fertility problems, according to European service. ‘Consumers should be aware that banned substances were found in various cosmetic products, from various brands and all price ranges,’ the Communication notes. These chemicals were banned under REACH regulations, an EU law on protection of human health and the environment and the Stockholm Convention on Organic Pollutants (POPs). Following the inspections, the authorities initiated procedures to remove non-compliant products from the market. Source: Iatropedia.gr