Although naphthalene is not deliberately added to any consumer product, it can sometimes be contained as a contaminant. This is due to the use of carboin Black as a blackening agent or of extender oils as plasticisers.
Naphthalene is prohibited in cosmetic products. However, the non-intended presence of a small quantity of a prohibited substance, stemming from impurities of natural or synthetic ingredients, the manufacturing process, storage, migration from packaging, which is technically unavoidable in good manufacturing practice, is permitted according to the EU Cosmetics Regulation, provided that the cosmetic product is safe to human health despite these technically unavoidable traces. The manufacturer must provide proof of this through a safety assessment.
Where consumer products are concerned, it is prohibited to manufacture or treat them in such a way that when used properly and for their intended or foreseeable purpose, they are capable of damaging health through their chemical composition, in particular through toxic substances or contamination. It is also prohibited to market consumer products of this kind. The BfR recommends that manufacturers reduce naphthalene levels in consumer products to the greatest technically achievable extent.
The limits for naphthalene determined for the GS product safety mark were not derived from a health point of view, they are taken from the naphthalene levels that can be reached and complied with nowadays in line with good manufacturing practice, which means that they follow the minimisation principle. Naphthalene levels which clearly exceed the limits determined for the GS mark are an indication that the principles of good manufacturing practice have not been complied with.
More information on polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) on the BfR website:
About the BfR
The German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR) is a scientifically independent institution within the portfolio of the Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture (BMEL) in Germany. It advises the Federal Government and Federal Laender on questions of food, chemical and product safety. The BfR conducts its own research on topics that are closely linked to its assessment tasks.
This text version is a translation of the original German text which is the only legally binding version.
Although naphthalene is not deliberately added to any consumer product, it can sometimes be contained as a contaminant. This is due to the use of carboin Black as a blackening agent or of extender oils as plasticisers.
Naphthalene is prohibited in cosmetic products. However, the non-intended presence of a small quantity of a prohibited substance, stemming from impurities of natural or synthetic ingredients, the manufacturing process, storage, migration from packaging, which is technically unavoidable in good manufacturing practice, is permitted according to the EU Cosmetics Regulation, provided that the cosmetic product is safe to human health despite these technically unavoidable traces. The manufacturer must provide proof of this through a safety assessment.
Where consumer products are concerned, it is prohibited to manufacture or treat them in such a way that when used properly and for their intended or foreseeable purpose, they are capable of damaging health through their chemical composition, in particular through toxic substances or contamination. It is also prohibited to market consumer products of this kind. The BfR recommends that manufacturers reduce naphthalene levels in consumer products to the greatest technically achievable extent.
The limits for naphthalene determined for the GS product safety mark were not derived from a health point of view, they are taken from the naphthalene levels that can be reached and complied with nowadays in line with good manufacturing practice, which means that they follow the minimisation principle. Naphthalene levels which clearly exceed the limits determined for the GS mark are an indication that the principles of good manufacturing practice have not been complied with.
More information on polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) on the BfR website:
About the BfR
The German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR) is a scientifically independent institution within the portfolio of the Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture (BMEL) in Germany. It advises the Federal Government and Federal Laender on questions of food, chemical and product safety. The BfR conducts its own research on topics that are closely linked to its assessment tasks.
This text version is a translation of the original German text which is the only legally binding version.
