In light of technical and scientific developments and the SCCS’s expert judgment, and taking into account various health concerns, the SCCS is requested to:
1. Identify and justify whether there are any specific concerns regarding the current use of “Thimerosal” with Regulation V/16 in Cosing with CAS: 54-64-8 and “Phenylmercuric Salts” as preservatives in ophthalmic cosmetic products;
Given that the MoS(Margin of Safety) based on nephrotoxicity as the most sensitive endpoint is below 100 and given that the evidence for genotoxicity is uncertain, these mercury compounds are not considered safe at the concentration levels currently permitted in cosmetic products.
2. Highlighting whether the current use of “thiomersal” and “phenylmercuric salts” as preservatives in eye cosmetics poses a potential risk to human health;
The potential risk to human health in question 1 is exacerbated by increased exposure to mercury compounds from sources other than cosmetics.
The opinion to be cited is as follows: SCCS (Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety), Scientific advice on the safety of thiomersal and phenylmercuric salts as preservatives in cosmetic products, preliminary version 30 October 2025, SCCS/1686/25.
