Sweden works with the cosmetics industry to phase out hazardous materials
“We are striving to assist companies to ensure that their products are safe. Therefore, dialogue meetings have started with the priority sectors,” the agency stated.
Priority
The meetings between the agency and representatives from three industries (cosmetics, toys, and textiles) are said to be ongoing, and date back as far as December of last year.
The agency’s senior scientific officer, Anna Lindberg told CosmeticsDesign-Europe.com that the dialogue between them and industry professionals is “part of the national action plan for a toxic-free everyday environment, on-going 2011-2014.”
“Our goal is for at least two of the industries involved to set measurable goals in their efforts to reduce risks from dangerous substances without waiting for official legislation,” she added.
'Hazardous'
‘Hazardous chemicals’ in the cosmetics sense can refer to a number of ingredients like phthalates and parabens for example. However Lindberg tells this publication that "for the present time being, we are mainly discussing allergenic perfumes and preservatives."
Parabens are commonly used preservatives that have received significant bad press of late leading to some companies removing them from their formulations and offering ‘free from parabens’ products; however, industry has long defended their use saying they are a cheap and effective preservative solution and there is no scientific basis for concern.
Phthalates are a large family of substances some of which are used as plasticizers in nail varnishes and as perfume fixatives. A number of studies have suggested links between high phthalate exposure and birth defects. Similarly, there have been concerns voiced about the potential endocrine disrupting effects of a number of organic UV filters.
On-going
The on-going meetings gathered the Swedish Cosmetic, Toiletry and Detergent Association, international manufacturers and distributors together on numerous occasions to discuss what measures will be needed to achieve the goal, information on current and upcoming regulations and the work it will take to develop targets for the industries.
The Medical Products Agency, responsible for cosmetic and hygienic products in Sweden, is said to have particularly stepped up to collaborate with Kemi on the matter.
In terms of what the Agency hopes to happen in long run, Lindberg says although the matter is still under discussion, “the group has agreed that an information campaign is needed concerning risks with allergies and hair dyes and an age-limit (16 years), as well as looking at how to better protect consumers from the risk of allergies caused by perfumes or preservatives.”
