The European Commission (EC) published on June 11, 2019, a call for data on the following ingredients used in cosmetic products:  gold (nano); colloidal gold (nano); platinum (nano); colloidal platinum (nano); copper (nano); and colloidal copper (nano).  The EC states that it has concerns about the use of nano forms of gold, colloidal gold, platinum, colloidal platinum, copper, and colloidal copper “because of the potential of nanoparticles to enter cells through dermal absorption or across a mucous membrane.”  In addition, according to the EC, the data submitted by the applicants “seem to be insufficient” for the Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety (SCCS) to carry out a full risk assessment.  The EC has mandated SCCS to assess the safety of these nanomaterials.  Interested parties are invited to submit, in accordance with the requirements described in the call for data, any relevant scientific information on the safety of:

• Gold (nano) and colloidal gold (nano) (CAS No. 7440-57-5, EC No. 231-165-9, with or without surface modifications, g., CAS No. 1360157-34-1);
• Platinum (nano) and colloidal platinum (nano) (CAS No. 7440-06-4, EC No. 231-116-1, with or without surface modifications); and
• Copper (nano) and colloidal copper (nano) (CAS No. 7440-50-8, EC No. 231-159-6) used in cosmetic products.

The EC seeks data on all physicochemical properties, toxicokinetics and toxicological end-points, assessment of exposure through consumer products, and/or an indication on the suggested safe concentration limits for these ingredients.  Submissions are due November 10, 2019.