COSMETICS · SCCS
Acetophenone in natural ingredients: what does the new SCCS opinion mean?
The final SCCS opinion assesses acetophenone as a constituent of natural complex substances. Companies need to understand the concentration and age groups covered, and that the opinion does not assess the safety of the natural raw materials as a whole.
Status checked on 13 November 2026.
When using natural raw materials in cosmetics, the substances they contain also matter. On 15 October 2026, the European Commission published the final opinion of the Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety (SCCS) on acetophenone. It is relevant to companies reviewing the contribution of acetophenone from natural complex ingredients.
What did the SCCS assess?
Opinion SCCS/1689/26 addresses acetophenone (CAS 98-86-2), taking into account its possible classification as toxic to reproduction, category 1B. Based on the submitted data, the Committee considers it safe at up to 100 ppm (0.01%) in finished cosmetic products for adults and children aged three and over, including exposure from other sources.
The scope is important: natural complex substances as a whole were not assessed. The conclusion concerns acetophenone within those substances. It does not establish that every natural raw material containing acetophenone is safe for any use.
An opinion is not a new legal restriction
A final SCCS opinion provides scientific advice. It does not itself amend the annexes to the Cosmetics Regulation or provide general permission to use a substance up to the assessed concentration. A legal review also needs to consider current classifications and the conditions in Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009, including its rules on CMR substances.
The safety of the finished cosmetic product must be assessed before it is placed on the market. The safety report must be updated where necessary in light of additional relevant information. Share the opinion with your safety assessor, who can evaluate its relevance to the specific formulation.
What should manufacturers check?
Start by reviewing the natural raw materials you use and the acetophenone content data available for each. Where information is missing, ask the supplier for a suitable specification, analysis or other scientifically justified explanation. Distinguish measured values, specification limits and cases without data in your records.
Calculate the contribution from all relevant raw materials to the finished product. A concentration in one raw material is not the concentration in the entire formulation. Also prepare information on the intended use, application method and target age group.
How can the findings inform safety assessment?
Provide the assessor with the formulation and raw material percentages, supplier documentation and product use information. Check together whether the product falls within the scope of the opinion. Pay particular attention to products for children under three, as the stated conclusion does not cover that age group.
If the supplier or specification of a natural raw material changes, review the calculation again. This helps base decisions on actual composition and documentation rather than a general “natural” description.
Need a documentation review?
BiSafe helps review raw material information and prepare or update cosmetic safety documentation. Send your formulation, intended use and available specifications to info@bisafe.si. Explore our cosmetic product services for further information.
