Safety of boron compounds in cosmetic products

WG on Cosmetic Ingredients
SCCS members: U. Bernauer, P.J. Coenraads, G. Degen, D. Gawkrodger, W. Lilienblum, A. Luch, E. Nielsen, T. Platzek, S.C. Rastogi (chairman), C. Rousselle, J. van Benthem
External experts: V. Rogiers, T. Sanner (rapporteur), I.R. White
Contact:SANTE-C2-SCCS@ec.europa.eu
On request from: European Commission
SCCS Number: SCCS/1523/14
Doi: 10.2772/7521
Adopted on: 12 December 2013

Conclusion of the opinion:

1. Based on the current knowledge on the chemistry of borates, tetraborates and octaborates, does the SCCS consider that these compounds break in the product, due to contact with water, into boric acid?
The SCCS is of the opinion that all the substances mentioned above (borates, tetraborates and octaborates) as well as other boric acid salts/esters reported in CosIng database such as MEA-borate, MIPA-borate, potassium borate, trioctyldodecyl borate and zinc borate, break in the product due to contact with water into boric acid.
2. If the answer to question 1 is yes, does the SCCS consider that the general restrictions applicable to boric acid should apply to the whole group of borates?
SCCS considers that these compounds have chemical, biological and toxicological properties similar to boric acid. Therefore the general restrictions applicable to boric acid should apply to the whole group of borates.

Keywords:

SCCS, scientific opinion, cosmetic ingredients, boron compounds, Regulation 1223/2009

Opinion to be cited as:

SCCS (Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety), Opinion on the safety of boron compounds in cosmetic products, 12 December 2013, SCCS/1523/13.