fbpx

News > BORATES Banned in the EU Without Exception

Article Details:

  • 5th May 2015 - 11:34 UTC
  • Health
Bridging EU decision making

BORATES Banned in the EU Without Exception

Products of the borate family are frequently used in beauty salons  for the purpose of tooth whitening. The Council of European Dentists warns the public about the dangers of borate products. Furthermore, to safeguard public health, the Council of European Dentists urges the National Authorities in Member States to take initiative to ensure that no such cancerogenic products are utilised for tooth whitening nor avalaible on the market.

Sodium perborate and perboric acid have been banned in cosmetic products by EU legislation and no exception to the ban has been granted

These substances have been classified as carcinogenic, mutagenic, or toxic for reproduction (CMR), category 1B of Regulation (EC) 790/2009 amending Regulation 1272/2008 on classification, labelling and packaging of substances and mixtures (CLP Regulation), as a result of being included in Part 3 of Annex VI of the CLP Regulation. This classification is applied since 1 December 2010.

Once a substance is classified as CMR 1B, independently from its concentration, its use in cosmetic products is prohibited (Article 15(2) of the Cosmetics Regulation 1223/2009). It is an automatic ban for which no implementing measures (such as amending Annexes to the Cosmetics Regulation) are needed. Exceptions may however be granted if the conditions laid down in Article 15(2) of the Cosmetics Regulation are met.

As the conditions to authorise the use of these substances in cosmetic products were not met, the Commission did not grant an exception. Consequently, sodium perborate and perboric acid are considered banned in the EU as of 1 December 2010.

For further information please see here.

Want to know more about banned substances and ingredients, please see CosIng.


 

Find out more about the Council of European Dentists.

  1. K. Edward
    K. Edward January 19th,2017 12:09:16 Comment #235

    It was a good decision to ban borates, perborate and perboric acid in the EU. But, in general, business owners should be better informed and take the necessary steps to implement processes and practices that ensure continued compliance and especially, the consumer’s safety. That’s why it’s important for the people who’re involved in this field by some way, to be always informed about the last fresh news and cosmetics directives.

  2. A. Harrison
    A. Harrison January 21st,2018 15:29:37 Comment #276

    Could you explain why it was a good decision to ban borates in the EU? From what i understand, there is an appreciable amount of boron in most vegetables and is therefore not a health risk unless used in contradiction to handling instructions. Given the uniqueness of this compound and the potential risks associated with its alternatives, I would argue that the decision to ban the substance was potentially more harmful than the intended benefits.

  3. Paul Burroughs
    Paul Burroughs May 10th,2018 16:10:52 Comment #298

    I can It was motivated by the pharmaceutical companies with the war on
    home remedies.

Your email will not be published
Cancel reply