UK consumers association WHICH? demands government action
The UK consumers association WHICH? published a report entitled ‘Small wonder? Nanotechnology and cosmetics’. The report is based on the findings of a survey of 67 cosmetics companies, which asked the companies about their use of nanotechnology, what benefits they thought it brought and how they ensured product safety.
According to WHICH?, the response was poor, with only 17 getting back to the association, and of these, just eight were willing to provide information about how they use nanotechnology. However, even the limited number of responses received by WHICH? made the association conclude that there ‘widespread use of nano materials in cosmetics, particularly in sunscreens.’
The association made the following recommendations:
- the Government should require companies to report their use of manufactured nano materials
- potentially unsafe products should be removed from sale (ie. effectively enforce the current Cosmetics Directive)
- an independent expert group should be established to advise the Government on the risks and benefits of nano sunscreens
- the new EU Cosmetics Regulation should include a positive list of manufactured nano materials that are permitted to be used in cosmetic products based on an independent safety assessment
- clear information should be provided to consumers about the use of nano materials in cosmetic products, as well as nanotechnology more broadly.
Registered Members of the NIA can download a copy of the WHICH report from the ‘Members only’-area of the NIA website by following the link to ‘Restricted Documents and Publications’.
Related Links
The US Consumers Union petitioned the US Food and Drug Administration to ‘require a full safety assessment on the use of engineered nanoparticles particularly in cosmetics, sunscreens and sunblocks, and to investigate possible enforcement action to ensure accurate labeling as to the presence or absence of nanoparticles.’ (30th October 2008)
The UK consumer organisation Which? launched a nanotechnology campaign that aims to ‘ensure that nano products are developed and marketed responsibly.’ During a specially convened summit on nanotechnologies, Which? called on the UK Government ‘to deal with the big implications of nanotechnologies without further delay’; the consumer group’s demands were listed in a 10 point action plan, which had been launched in September 2007 in the Which? Briefing entitled Small scale, large impact. (28th February 2008)