Safety Assessment of Trimellitic Anhydride Copolymers as Used in Cosmetics

The Expert Panel for Cosmetic Ingredient Safety (Panel) assessed the safety of 6 trimellitic anhydride copolymers as used in cosmetics. These ingredients are related as copolymers in that they all share trimellitic anhydride (ie, 1,2,4-benzenetricarboxylic acid anhydride) as a monomer, are reported to function as film formers in cosmetics, and are reported to be primarily used in nail products. Very limited safety data were available or submitted. The Panel concluded that Adipic Acid/Neopentyl Glycol/Trimellitic Anhydride Copolymer and Phthalic Anhydride/Trimellitic Anhydride/Glycols Copolymer are safe in nail product formulations in the present practices of use and concentration, but the data are insufficient to make a determination of safety on the use of these 2 ingredients in all other types of cosmetic formulations. The Panel also concluded that the available data are insufficient to make a determination that the remaining trimellitic anhydride copolymers are safe for use in cosmetic formulations.