About this Publication on Sunbeds

1. Source for this Publication
   
2. The Scientific Committee on Consumer Products (SCCP)
   
3. Background to this SCCP opinion
   
4. Specific questions asked by the European Commission to the SCCP
   

1. Source for this Publication

The material content of the texts on Level 3 are directly sourced from
" Opinion on Biological effects of ultraviolet radiation relevant to health with particular reference to sun beds for cosmetic purposes" (SCCP/0949/05), a report produced in 2006 by the SCCP (Scientific Committee on Consumer Products) of the European Commission.

The Levels 1 & 2 were written by Dr. Marisa Fernandez in collaboration with the GreenFacts editorial team and the DG Health and Consumer Protection of the European Commission.

This publication is produced by GreenFacts under a contract from the Health & Consumer Protection DG of the European Commission

2. The Scientific Committee on Consumer Products (SCCP)

The Scientific Committee on Consumer Products (SCCP) was set up in 2004 by the European Commission to provide the Commission with unambiguous scientific advice on the safety of consumer products (non-food products intended for the consumer). It replaced the former Scientific Committee on Cosmetic Products and Non-Food Products (SCCNFP).

The SCCP advice is intended to enable risk managers to take the adequate and required actions in order to guarantee consumer protection.

The SCCP addresses questions in relation to the safety and allergenic properties of cosmetic products and ingredients with respect to their impact on consumer health, toys, textiles, clothing, personal care products, domestic products such as detergents, and consumer services such as tattooing.

The SCCP consists of a maximum of 19 members. There is also a reserve list made up of candidates found suitable for a position in a Scientific Committee but not appointed. The members of the SCCP are appointed on the basis of their skills and experience in the fields in question, and consistent with this a geographical distribution that reflects the diversity of scientific problems and approaches in the European Union (EU). The experts' term of office is three years and is renewable for a maximum of three consecutive times. In agreement with the Commission, the Scientific Committees may turn to specialised external experts.

The SCCP complies with the principles of independence, transparency and confidentiality. The members therefore make a declaration of commitment to act in the public interest and a declaration of interests; requests for opinions, agendas, minutes and opinions are published; work and publications are done with regard to the need for commercial confidentiality.

By the end of 2006 the SCCP had adopted close to 100 opinions or position papers on topics such as fragrances, hair dies, consumer products, preservatives, UV filters, and other substances.

For further information on the SCCP see: http://ec.europa.eu/health/ph_risk/committees/04_sccp/04_sccp_en.htm 

3. Background to this SCCP opinion

The "  Opinion on Biological effects of ultraviolet radiation relevant to health with particular reference to sun beds for cosmetic purposes" (SCCP/0949/05), was published by the Scientific Committee on Consumer Products (SCCP) of the European Commission on 20 June 2006 following a public consultation procedure and a series of earlier reports.

The SCCP had undertaken a public consultation on the basis of a preliminary opinion. Interested parties submitted a series of comments or pertinent scientific information  by 17 March 2006.

4. Specific questions asked by the European Commission to the SCCP

In its "  Opinion on Biological effects of ultraviolet radiation relevant to health with particular reference to sun beds for cosmetic purposes" (SCCP/0949/05), the Scientific Committee on Consumer Products (SCCP) was requested to answer the following questions:

1. What are the general health and safety implications (negative and positive) relating to the exposure of persons to ultraviolet radiation (UVR)?
2. What are the differences between risks associated with exposure of persons to natural UVR and those risks from artificial UVR? What are the differences regarding the health and safety risks with respect to exposure of persons to UVA, UVB and UVC radiation respectively?
3. Is the total dose value of UVR the only effective health and safety parameter with regard to the risks associated with exposure of persons to both natural and artificial UVR? What is the validity of the Bunsen-Roscoe law6 over the range of irradiances and wavelengths associated with exposure of persons to both natural and artificial UVR?
4. What are the specific health and safety implications (negative and positive) relating to the exposure of persons to UVR from tanning devices for cosmetic purposes?
5. Are limit values necessary for the irradiance of UVR from artificial sources, in particular from tanning devices for cosmetic purposes, with respect to health and safety? Is it necessary to give different values for the irradiance of UV-A, UV-B and UV-C radiation respectively? If so, please specify the limit values for the irradiance of artificial UVR above which adverse health effects will occur. What are the uncertainties of these limit values?
6. Please specify the limit values of total dose of artificial UV-A, UV-B and UV-C radiation above which adverse health effects will occur, taking into account skin phototype, intensity of exposure, duration of exposure and associated uncertainties.

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