Titanium Dioxide Classification in force from October 2021, E171 still under review

13 March 2020

Titanium dioxide is often found in commonly-used domestic substances such as paint, sunscreen, and toothpaste. However, the World Health Organisation’s International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has determined that the chemical is a “possible carcinogen for humans”. In 2017, the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) provided an assessment of this substance and proposed classifying all forms of titanium dioxide as a “suspected carcinogen” when inhaled.

In October 2019, after more than two years of discussions in the REACH committee, the Commission proposed a delegated act to classify this substance. The titanium dioxide classification will go ahead and be in force from October 2021.

As confirmed from a recent report from CEO, this classification under the 14th ATP of the CLP Regulation was at the heart of a lobby battle in Brussels. Read the report here.

As for Titanium Dioxide in food, aka E171, the French ban is still in force and will be reviewed after EFSA’s next scientific opinion at the end of 2020.