EU Discovers Hazardous Chemicals in Hundreds of Cosmetics

For businesses aiming to enter the Indonesian market, obtaining proper authorization from the Indonesian Food and Drug Authority (BPOM) is not only a legal requirement—it’s a crucial step to ensure product safety and consumer trust.

A recent pilot law enforcement project in Europe has revealed that approximately 6% of cosmetic products tested contained dangerous substances banned under EU regulations, according to the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA). National law enforcement bodies in 13 member states of the European Economic Area (EEA), including Germany, examined nearly 4,500 cosmetic products and detected forbidden chemicals in 285 items.

Investigators are focusing on substances prohibited or limited by two major EU regulations:

• The POPs Regulation, which restricts persistent organic pollutants.

• The REACH Regulation, governing the registration, evaluation, authorization, and restriction of chemicals.

ECHA noted that the majority of these findings came from a straightforward review of product ingredient lists—a method that consumers can also use.

“Consumers should be aware that banned substances are present in a wide range of cosmetic products from various sellers and across all price points,” an ECHA spokesperson explained.

Early measures have been taken to remove non-compliant products from the market. In many cases, law enforcement has issued written guidance to suppliers on how to meet legal requirements, with investigations still ongoing for about half of the examined cases.

The project particularly targeted chemicals such as perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), long-chain perfluorocarboxylic acids (PFCA), and related substances, as well as cyclic siloxanes D4 and D5. It was found that perfluorononyl dimethicone—which breaks down into PFOA and PFCA—is often present in eyeliners and lip liners, while D4 and D5 are commonly found in hair conditioners and masks.

“PFOA and siloxanes D4 and D5 degrade slowly, accumulating in the environment, humans, and wildlife. PFOA is not only persistent but also toxic to reproduction and suspected of causing cancer, while D4 may negatively impact fertility.”

Tips for Safe Cosmetic Use

When choosing cosmetics, look for products that:

• Have an official distribution permit (e.g., from BPOM)
• Clearly display manufacturing and expiration dates
• Are free from irritants or allergens
• Do not contain harmful chemicals such as lead or mercury
• Feature transparent labeling and intact packaging

Sources:
Badan Uni Eropa Temukan Bahan Kimia Terlarang di Ratusan Kosmetik! – Deutsche Welle (DW)

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