SCCS Preliminary Opinion on Benzophenone-2 and Benzophenone-5 in Cosmetic Products

"On April 22, 2025, the Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety (SCCS) released its preliminary opinion on Benzophenone-2 (BP-2) and Benzophenone-5 (BP-5), inviting public comments until June 17, 2025. The SCCS was tasked with evaluating the safety of these substances in cosmetic products, particularly in light of concerns about potential endocrine-disrupting properties. For Benzophenone-2 (BP-2), the SCCS concluded that it cannot establish safety due to the absence of sufficient data on genotoxicity, repeated dose toxicity, and reproductive toxicity. Available evidence demonstrates BP-2’s endocrine activity, including confirmed estrogenic effects in vitro and in vivo. Therefore, the SCCS considers that BP-2 may pose a risk to consumers when used in cosmetic products. For Benzophenone-5 (BP-5), due to limited specific data, the SCCS employed a read-across approach using data from the closely related substance Benzophenone-4 (BP-4). Based on this, BP-5 is considered safe for use as a UV filter at concentrations up to 5% in sunscreen, face and hand creams, lipsticks, and both pump and propellant sprays—whether used alone or in combination."