Published: 11 April 2022  (Updated: 11 April 2022)

EU Safety Gate Alerts

Update on EC product safety alerts and reports of cosmetic products posing a risk to the health and safety of consumers.

The European Commission Safety Gate is used by EU market surveillance authorities to notify unsafe and noncompliant products, including those that present a risk to the health and safety of consumers.  The online system serves as a single rapid alert system for dangerous consumer products.  All non-food products intended for consumers or likely under reasonably foreseeable conditions to be used by consumers are included within the scope, with the exception of pharmaceutical and medical products.  This information is circulated among the competent authorities, through a network of national contact points.

CTPA regularly checks the notifications made via the rapid alert system website.  For information, below are recent notifications made by the Member States.

March 2022

Sweden

Skin lightening gel with chemical risk as it contains isobutylparaben, which is forbidden in cosmetics.  

Skin lightening lotion, cream, and a hair lotion with chemical risk as they contain a mixture of the preservatives methylchloroisothiazolinone and methylisothiazolinone (MCI and MI), which are forbidden in leave-on cosmetics.  

Skin lightening lotion with chemical risk as it contains hydroquinone, which is forbidden in leave-on cosmetics.  

Skin lightening lotion with chemical risk as it contains hydroquinone.  It also contains mometasone.  Mometasone is a corticosteroid that should be made available only under medical prescription.

Romania

Make-up remover with microbiological risk due to biofilm on a filling line.  Consequently, safe use cannot be guaranteed.

February 2022

France

Skin lightening serum with chemical risk as it contains clobetasol propionate.  Clobetasol is a corticosteroid that should be applied only if medically prescribed.

Sweden

Skin lightening cream with chemical risk as it contains clobetasol propionate.

Skin lightening cream with chemical risk as it contains hydroquinone.

Skin lightening cream with chemical risk as it contains betamethasone.  Betamethasone is a corticosteroid that should be made available only under medical prescription.

Hand and body lotion with chemical risk as it contains hydroxyisohexyl 3-cyclohexene carboxaldehyde, which is a skin sensitiser.

Finland

Hair dye with microbiological risk due excessive level of aerobic mesophilic bacteria, yeast and mould.  If used on damaged skin, or if it comes into contact with the eyes, the product may cause infection or irritation.

Germany

Skin lightening cream with chemical risk as it contains clobetasol propionate and hydroquinone.

January 2022

Sweden

Baby lotion with chemical risk as it contains hydroxyisohexyl 3-cyclohexene carboxaldehyde.

Skin lightening cream with chemical risk as it contains clobetasol propionate.

France

Skin lightening milk with chemical risk as it contains hydroquinone.

Dark spot serum with chemical risk as it contains clobetasol propionate and hydroquinone.

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