,"On November 19, 2025, the Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety (SCCS) published a preliminary opinion assessing the safety of Thiomersal (CAS No. 54-64-8, EC No. 200-210-4) and Phenylmercuric salts as preservatives in cosmetic eye products, adopted on October 30, 2025, and open for comments until January 21, 2026. Responding to the European Commission's mandate, the SCCS identified significant concerns due to a Margin of Safety (MoS) below 100 based on renal toxicity—the most sensitive endpoint—and unclear genotoxicity evidence from contradictory, low-quality data, concluding these mercury compounds are not safe at current permitted concentrations (up to 0.007% mercury). 1) The opinion details chemical specifications, toxicokinetics showing kidney accumulation of ethylmercury from Thiomersal and phenylmercuric salts, and exposure assessments assuming 50% dermal absorption, yielding a systemic exposure dosage (SED) of 0.029 µg/kg bw/day from eye products like mascara and eyeliner.
2) Toxicological evaluations covered irritation (Thiomersal as Eye Irrit. 2), proven skin sensitization by Thiomersal with equivocal evidence for phenylmercuric acetate, repeated dose renal effects using methylmercury as a conservative surrogate, reproductive toxicity, inconclusive mutagenicity/genotoxicity, and no carcinogenicity concerns at relevant levels. 3) Risks are heightened by cumulative mercury exposure from non-cosmetic sources, such as vaccines or environmental contamination, exacerbating kidney damage, neurological effects, and sensitization. The SCCS recommends reevaluating authorizations under Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009 Annex V entries 16-17, emphasizing conservative risk assessment amid mercury's bioaccumulative toxicity."
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