‘Read this and be safe!’ Comparison of regulatory processes for communicating risks of personal care products to European and South African consumers

Abstract

Background: Most personal care products (PCPs) contain hazardous ingredients, but current legislation in the European Union (EU) and South Africa (SA) does not require these to be labelled as hazardous products. Instead, ingredients must only be listed on containers to inform consumers of potential hazards. We assessed whether current legal strategies provide the means for effective risk communication (RC) mechanisms for PCPs in order to protect consumers' health and the environment. Results and conclusions: RC strategies used in developed countries are not necessarily better compared to developing countries despite the existence of extensive legislation in the former. Socio-cultural factors, scientific literacy and language differences are key reasons why the current ingredient lists on PCP labels are not an effective RC strategy. The assumption is that consumers will interpret the risks of these ingredients by conducting a risk assessment for their personal context. Realistically, the following risk mitigation measures should be implemented in developed and developing countries to reduce the public's potential exposures to hazardous substances: substitute hazardous ingredients with less hazardous; provide accessible mechanisms for consumers to comprehend RC measures; delete the exception clause in the EU Regulation on Classification, Labelling and Packaging (CLP); apply clear mandatory labels where PCPs health risks are clearly illustrated; and increase enforcement of legislation. The high incidence of fragrance allergies caused by PCPs is one example illustrating how current legal measures in the EU and SA fail to protect consumers and the environment from hazardous exposures. Therefore, efforts must be made to improve legally required RC measures.

Monitoring of sixteen fragrance allergens and two polycyclic musks in wastewater treatment plants by solid phase microextraction coupled to gas chromatography

“…Fragrances, which are the most extensively used PCPs, are commonly added to soaps, detergents, cosmetics, and other consumer products in order to give a scent to a product or mask the unpleasant odour of other chemical ingredients. However, fragrances in PCPs are one of the most common causes of allergic skin reactions (Klaschka and Rother, 2013). The Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety (SCCS) has identified 26 of these compounds as being fragrance allergens likely to cause contact allergies (SCCS, 2012).…”

“This perfume makes me sick, but I like it.” Representative survey on health effects associated with fragrances

“…In total, more than a quarter (28.3%) of the interviewees indicate to read the references to learn more about the fragrances in a certain product. Overall, more men, especially young men (age class [18][19][20][21][22][23][24], than women read the references (Fig. 3).…”

Naturally toxic: natural substances used in personal care products

“…How many consumers know the classifications of natural substances, especially as long as the products need not be classified [20]? How could consumers be informed about the hazardous properties and the relevant exposure of natural substances in personal care products [21]? Many natural organisms are endangered or live in declining habitats.…”