Diethyl Phthalate - DEP
An information resource on the plasticiser Diethyl Phthalate
(DEP)
 Diethyl Phthalate (DEP) is a
plasticiser widely used in tools, automotive parts, toothbrushes,
food packaging, cosmetics and insecticide. The fact that cosmetics
contain phthalates is not a problem and poses no risk to either
human health or the environment. Indeed, the use of DEP in
cosmetics has been specifically supported by the EU
Scientific Committee for Cosmetic Products (Opinion adopted 4 June
2002). The same committee of EU scientists reconfirmed their
assessment on December 9, 2003.
DEP - Safely used in cosmetics
The SCCNFP concluded that DEP shows a low level of toxicity.
Their Opinion is that the safety profile of DEP supports its use in
cosmetic products at current levels. At present the SCCNFP does not
recommend any specific warnings or restrictions under the currently
proposed restrictions of use.
In November 2002, the US Cosmetic Ingedients Review
Panel (CIR) published a
review of three phthalates frequently used in the production of
cosmetics - Dibutyl, Diethyl, and Dimethyl Phthalate
The Panel compared the current uses and consumer exposures with
the available safety test data. They concluded that not only are
exposures low compared to levels shown to produce adverse effects
in animals, but that there was a high margin of safety between
exposures and levels demonstrated to produce no observable effects
in animal tests. Therefore, the Panel concluded that these
ingredients are safe for use in cosmetic formulations in the
current practices and concentrations of use and that there was no
need to reopen the safety assessment. This conclusion, an extensive
presentation of the new scientific studies and other data
considered by the Panel, and the rationale for the decision will be
included with the CIR 's Annual Review that presents the rationale
for decisions to not reopen prior safety assessments.
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