How to notify products containing nanomaterials
Nanomaterials in Annex 4, 5 or 6 of EC regulation 1223/2009
For all cosmetic products on the market containing nanomaterials listed in Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 30 November 2009 on cosmetic products (recast) (Text with EEA relevance) (opens in a new tab) and used in accordance with the restrictions for that material you must submit:
- its chemical name (IUPAC)
- how it is intended to be used
- information and data on reasonably foreseeable exposure conditions
This is done as part of the cosmetic product notification.
Nanomaterials not in Annex 4, 5 or 6 of EC regulation 1223/2009
For cosmetic products which contain nanomaterials not listed in Annex 4, 5 or 6, that is, used for another purpose other than as a preservative, UV-filter or colourant, you need to notify details of the nanomaterial and include:
- whether it was notified in the EU before 1 January 2021 and if so, when it was first notified
- the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC) name
- the quantity expected to be placed on the market each year
- the specification, including the size of particles, physical and chemical properties
- the droplet size and distribution when sprayed
- the toxicological profile
- the safety data relating to the category of products in which it will be used
- whether it reacts or changes its properties in certain conditions, for example, if it is photocatalytic
Note that you cannot use a nanomaterial as a preservative, UV-filter or colourant that is not listed in the Annexes.
When you can place products containing nanomaterials on the market
Products containing nanomaterials notified in GB after 1 January 2021 can be placed on the market 6 months after the nanomaterial has first been notified.