CBD's Toxicity Concerns: Could Europe Ban Cannabidiol In Cosmetics?

CBD could be deemed toxic for reproduction, which could then lead to its prohibition in cosmetic products across Europe. That is if a process launched by France last year comes to an end.

The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) first published France's intention to introduce a harmonized classification and labeling (CLH) for cannabidiol last year.

According to CosmeticOBS, ECHA posted an update earlier this month, reiterating that "France had declared its intention to classify the substance on the basis of its potential toxicity for reproduction," and that it "has now become a proposal."

Currently, CBD is listed in the Cosing, an official cosmetic ingredient database of the European Union (EU) in two entries, as:

• Cannabidiol is synthetically produced.
• Cannabidiol is derived from the extract or tincture or resin of cannabis, for antioxidant, anti-sebum, akin conditioning and skin-protecting uses.

CBD is not currently covered by the EU Cosmetics Regulation. The European Commission added CBD to the cosmetic ingredient database in 2021 following a court ruling that CBD is not a narcotic.

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The European Commission launched a call for data on the safety of pure CBD and extracts that may contain contaminants such as THC on June 1, 2023. The request, as explained by CosmeticOBS, came ahead of a mandate for the Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety (SCCS), which is tasked with deciding on the future of these ingredients in cosmetics.

Once the process wraps up, CBD could be listed as a carcinogenic, mutagenic and toxic for reproduction (CMR) substance, resulting in the ban on such cosmetic products in Europe.

However, the ban could be waived following an opinion from the SCCS.

CBD skincare products have experienced a renaissance over the past few years in the U.S. Cannabis companies such as Avicanna Inc. AVCNF AVCN 0NN have jumped on the opportunity.

Moreover, CBD skincare line Doctor Milagros partnered with video commerce giant QVC last year, to bring EveryFace Skincare Line to New York.

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