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07.01.2022 - Cosmetics

Face masks - contamination with heavy metals such as arsenic, lead, and cadmium

In early December, the Federal Office of Consumer Protection and Food Safety (BVL) shared the results of the current monitoring of cosmetic face masks in a press release.

In 53% of the masks, the guideline values for heavy metals were exceeded. The measured exceedances of the guideline values for the elements arsenic, lead, and cadmium were partly significant. A large portion of the samples also showed higher levels of barium, chromium, cobalt, and nickel. In the monitoring, samples from a 2016 monitoring were used to determine what is technically unavoidable, and corresponding guideline values were derived from this.

Background

The use of heavy metals in cosmetics (EC) No. 1223/2009 is prohibited according to the Cosmetics Regulation, unless they are present in technically unavoidable amounts.

The BAV Institute in the network of the international Tentamus Laboratory Group checks the heavy metal content for you both in the end products and in cosmetic raw materials. Of course, we also gladly advise you on regulatory questions regarding this.

Our customer advisors look forward to your call.

The document on the technically unavoidable contents of heavy metals in cosmetic products can be found via the BVL link.

Source: Press release 12/02/21 BVL