Aug 22, 2026 - Cosmetics

Silver – SCCS/1687/25

The SCCS (Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety) in its opinion SCCS/1665/24 Final Version of 20.06.2024 assessed the use of silver (powder) [100 nm < particle diameter < 1 mm] in lip products, eyeshadows, toothpastes and mouthwashes as safe. Other eye products than eyeshadows were not assessed by the SCCS, which is why the SCCS could not generally evaluate the product group "eye products" as safe. With Regulation (EU) No 2026/78 the result of this SCCS opinion was incorporated into the annexes of Regulation (EC) No. 1223/2009 and now constitutes binding law.

Silver (powder) [100 nm < particle diameter < 1 mm] is currently regulated in cosmetic products as follows:

0.05% in toothpastes and mouthwashes (Annex III, entry no. 379)
0.2% in lip products and eyeshadows (Annex IV, entry no. 142 as colourant CI 77820)

In its new opinion SCCS/1687/25 (corrected version of 20.05.2026) the SCCS has extended the use of silver (powder) [100 nm < particle diameter < 1 mm] and evaluated the following concentrations as safe:

0.2% in rinse-off products (including oral hygiene products)
0.3% in leave-on products (including nail products)
0.05% in mouthwashes for children

The adoption of these new limits into Regulation (EC) No. 1223/22009 is being sought. To this end, the EU Commission notified the WTO (World Trade Organization) on 30.07.2026 of a new draft amending regulation. Amendments to Annexes III/379 and IV/142 of Regulation (EC) No. 1223/2009 are proposed. After publication in the Official Journal of the European Union, the amending regulation will enter into force and will apply retroactively from 01.05.2026, which corresponds to the entry into force of the Omnibus Act VIII.

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