SCCS guidance on testing of cosmetic ingredients for endocrine properties

The option for testing new cosmetic ingredients suspected of having endocrine disrupting effects is a challenge as in vivo assays must not be carried out. New SCCS guidance identifies available alternatives.

The OECD framework for testing and assessing for endocrine properties operates with five levels. For new cosmetic ingredients, however, characterisation is limited to use of existing data and non-test information (level 1) and in vitro assays (level 2). The remaining three levels are based on in vivo assays that conflict with the animal testing ban.

Non-animal test methods
This puts pressure on manufacturers who want to prove that an ingredient suspected of having endocrine disrupting effects does not harm human health and safety. New available testing methods are outlined in the new guidance from the EU’s Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety (SCCS) published in March 2021 (section 3-6.5).

The methods include Non-Animal Methods/New Approach Methodologies (NAMs) and concepts like Next-Generation Risk Assessment (NGRA) without using animal experimentation and Weight of Evidence (WoE) decision making approaches. NAMs include in silico models, chemical categories, grouping, read-across, Physiologically Based PharmacoKinetics (PBPK) and ToxicoKinetics (PBTK) modelling, as well as in vitro and ex vivo experimental results.

For more details on endocrine disruptors and how DHI can help you, please contact:

Brian Svend Nielsen
bsn@remove-this.dhigroup.remove-this.com
Tel +45 4516 9140