Scientific Committee on Consumer Products

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The Scientific Committee on Consumer Products (abbreviated SCCP) is one of the independent scientific committees managed by the Directorate-General for Health and Consumer Protection of the European Commission, which provide scientific advice to the Commission on issues related to non-food issues.

1 Activities
2 Procedures
3 See also
4 External links

[edit] Activities

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

The SCCP's 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, allergenic properties, and impact on consumer health, of products and ingredients such as toys, textiles, clothing, cosmetics, personal care products, domestic products such as detergents, and consumer services such as tattooing.

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

[edit] Procedures

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. 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. The experts are appointed for three years, renewable 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. The work and publications respect commercial confidentiality.