EU Safety Gate Alerts February 2023

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.

Ireland

Hair dye with chemical risk as it contains sodium perborate.  Sales have been stopped.

Poland

Face and body cream with chemical risk as it contains butylphenyl methylpropional (BMHCA).  The product has been withdrawn from the market.

Lithuania

Face mousse, after shave, shaving gel, body cream and skin cream with chemical risk as they contain butylphenyl methylpropional (BMHCA).  The products have been withdrawn from the market.

Sweden

Teeth whitening gel with chemical risk as it contains hydrogen peroxide in an excessive concentration.  The product has been withdrawn from the market.

Perfume with chemical risk as it contains butylphenyl methylpropional (BMHCA).  The product has been rejected at the border.

Skin lightening cream with chemical risk as it contains mercury.  The product has been rejected at the border.

Temporary henna tattoo with chemical risk as it contains p-phenylenediamine (PPD), phenyl methyl pyrazolone, m-aminophenol and 2,4-diaminophenoxyethanol.  The product has been removed from the online marketplace.

Temporary henna tattoo with chemical risk as it contains benzyl alcohol, but the presence is not indicated in the list of ingredients, and the colorant CI 20470.  The product has been banned.

Chemical hair straightener with chemical risk as it contains formaldehyde.  Sales have been stopped.

Austria

Hair dye with chemical risk as it contains sodium perborate and p-phenylenediamine (PPD).  Products have been recalled from end users.

Hair dye with chemical risk as it contains barium peroxide and p-phenylenediamine (PPD).  Products have been recalled from end users.

Romania

Perfume with chemical risk as it contains butylphenyl methylpropional (BMHCA).  The product has been withdrawn from the market.