European project to boost knowledge of natural substances releases first results

By Lucy Whitehouse

- Last updated on GMT

European project to boost knowledge of natural substances releases first results

Related tags Cosmetics

UNITIS, the European Organization of Cosmetic Ingredients Industries and Services, held its annual General Assembly in Paris in June, at which latest findings on toxicological knowledge of natural substances were released.

These are the first results revealed for the NCS TOX Project, a ‘huge project’ for the natural cosmetic and nutraceutical industries.

The NCS TOX Project, the result of a collaboration between UNITIS and the Botanical Alliance, aims to create a database of the toxicological profiles and relevant testing information related to natural substances.

The General Assembly also saw the election of a new board of UNITIS, the organisation states, “elected to perpetuate the spirit of the organization marked by well-defined common objectives and constructive exchanges between innovative SMEs occupying significant positions in global market​.”

NCS TOX

NCS TOX began in September last year, with 11 key players in the relevant segments committed to the project.

The end of the project’s first year marks the end of its first stage, which aims to the study of molecular groups in botanicals to determine their level of risk regarding 3 endpoints:

  • genotoxicity,
  • systemic toxicity,
  • sensitization,

through an evaluation based on:

  • datamining,
  • in silico models,
  • a combined expertise in pharmacology and toxicology

Further information and contacts are available through the UNITIS website.

Next stage

This plenary meeting was also an opportunity to include a presentation of the second stage, which should start early 2018, according to the groups behind it.

The second stage aims to establish analytical methods for:

  • identifying and quantifying the molecular groups present in plant extracts,
  • measuring the content of critical compounds.

Within the context of animal testing ban and the absence of validated alternative methods for all endpoints, this project is very important for botanical raw materials suppliers and their customers of the natural cosmetic industry:

  • to update or carry out the toxicological profile of their botanical extracts;
  • to set up the safety report as defined in Annex 1 to the European Cosmetics Regulation, which stipulates that the safety of the finished product goes through the safety of ingredients.

Related news

Related products

show more

Empowering natural barrier function for future-proof skin

Empowering natural barrier function for future-proof skin

Content provided by Lucas Meyer Cosmetics | 14-Mar-2024 | White Paper

Corneopeptyl™ is a new patented peptide biomimetic to the LCE6A protein, obtained by green chemistry-based synthesis. By mimicking the LCE6A protein activity,...

Get your skin ready for summer

Get your skin ready for summer

Content provided by Robertet Health & Beauty | 27-Jun-2023 | Product Brochure

Sunbathing at the beach is the first UV-related skin damage that comes to mind. Whereas, enjoying a coffee on a terrace under the sun can be as harmful.

Follow us

Products

View more

Podcast

Beauty 4.0 Podcast