Move to Restrict Siloxanes in the European Union

Siloxanes are a class of chemicals recognized by their Si-O-Si linkages and encompass both linear and cyclic compounds. The cyclic methylsiloxanes have been heavily used in cosmetics and cleaning products for their emollient and hydrophobic properties. Studies have shown these compounds to be persistent and bioaccumulative and as a result have caused increased awareness and proposals for regulations. As of January 2019, the European Union (EU) announced their intention to prohibit the sale of products containing greater than 0.1% of octamethylcyclotetrasiloxane (“D4”), decamethylcyclopentasiloxane (“D5”), and dodecamethylcyclohexasiloxane (“D6”) under the REACH initiative.1

Cambridge Isotope Laboratories, Inc. offers stable isotope-labeled and native standards to assist researchers with their cyclic methylsiloxane testing needs.

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The Standard – April 2019