CBD (cannabidiol) as a ‘cosmetic’ could soon be banned in the European Union amid efforts from France to classify it as a reprotoxic substance.
On September 11, France issued a proposal to the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) to classify CBD as a ‘carcinogenic, mutagenic, or reprotoxic (CMR) substance’, based on what it says is its potential ‘reproductive toxicity’.
The proposal, which was first announced in June last year, has seen the ECHA issue a call for data on the safety of pure CBD and extracts that may contain contaminants like THC to establish the safety of the substances when used as a cosmetic ingredient.
While some research, including a 2019 FDA literature review, suggests CBD could potentially cause male reproductive toxicity in animals, the CEO and founder of Paris-based cannabis consultancy Augur Associates, Benjamin-Alexandre Jeanroy, says this proposal may be driven more by politics than science.
What happened?
The ECHA published France’s intention to introduce a ‘harmonised classification labelling (CLH)’ for CBD, a process which is designed to ensure the consistent labelling, and effectively manage any potential risks.
