Regulatory Status
For full compliance data across 55 jurisdictions, use the Substance Compliance tool.
Safety Data
Calculate MoS for your specific formulation with the MoS Calculator.
Toxicological Studies
10 study endpoints found for Silver. NOAEL (No Observed Adverse Effect Level) values are used to calculate the Margin of Safety per SCCS methodology.
| Endpoint | Value | Route | Species | Study Type | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NOAEL | 0.0045 mg/kg bw/day | - | - | - | SCCS_PDF_extraction |
| NOAEL | 0.0045 mg/kg bw/day | oral | - | - | SCCS_PDF_extraction |
| NOAEL | 300 mg/kg bw/day | oral | - | subacute | SCCS_PDF_extraction |
| NOAEL | 125 mg/kg bw/day | oral | - | subchronic | SCCS_PDF_extraction |
| NOAEL | 0.25 mg/kg bw/day | - | - | reproductive | SCCS_PDF_extraction |
| NOAEL | 0.0045 mg/kg bw/day | - | mouse | chronic | SCCS_PDF_extraction |
| NOAEL | 250 mg/kg bw/day | oral | - | subchronic | SCCS_PDF_extraction |
| NOAEL | 1000 mg/kg bw/day | oral | - | subchronic | SCCS_PDF_extraction |
| NOAEL | 1000 mg/kg bw/day | - | - | reproductive | SCCS_PDF_extraction |
| NOAEL | 0.0045 mg/kg bw/day | - | - | - | SCCS_PDF_extraction |
GHS Hazard Classification
Globally Harmonized System classification per ECHA C&L inventory and ILO/WHO International Chemical Safety Cards.
Safety Opinions
Official safety assessments from the Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety (SCCS) and Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR).
classification as toxic for reproduction Cat. 2, the SCCS considers micron-sized particulate Silver not safe at concentrations up to 0.2 % in rinse-off and 0.3 % in leave-on cosmetic products when used alone or in combination. However, the use of micron-sized particulate Silver in eye shadow and oral
classification as toxic for reproduction Cat. 2, the SCCS considers micron-sized particulate Silver not safe at concentrations up to 0.2 % in rinse-off and 0.3 % in leave-on cosmetic products when used alone or in combination. However, the use of micron-sized particulate Silver in eye shadow and oral
classification as toxic for reproduction Cat. 2, the SCCS considers micron-sized particulate Silver not safe at concentrations up to 0.2 % in rinse-off and 0.3 % in leave-on cosmetic products when used alone or in combination. However, the use of micron-sized particulate Silver in eye shadow and oral
classification as toxic for reproduction Cat. 2, the SCCS considers micron-sized particulate Silver not safe at concentrations up to 0.2 % in rinse-off and 0.3 % in leave-on cosmetic products when used alone or in combination. However, the use of micron-sized particulate Silver in eye shadow and oral
Expert Verdict
Nano silver fully banned from EU cosmetics effective Feb 1 2025 (Reg 2024/858) with market withdrawal deadline Nov 1 2025. Non-nano silver restricted from May 1 2026 to toothpaste, mouthwash, eye shadow, and lip products at specified concentrations. SCCS found micron-sized silver unsafe at higher concentrations in most cosmetics due to argyria risk (irreversible silver tissue deposition), aquatic ecotoxicity from ionic silver release, and antimicrobial resistance implications. US market lacks specific ban but FDA signaled concern. Reformulate affected EU products immediately using alternatives such as zinc PCA, copper peptides, or established preservative systems.
Regulatory Flags
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Silver safe in cosmetics?
Nano silver fully banned from EU cosmetics effective Feb 1 2025 (Reg 2024/858) with market withdrawal deadline Nov 1 2025. Non-nano silver restricted from May 1 2026 to toothpaste, mouthwash, eye shadow, and lip products at specified concentrations. SCCS found micron-sized silver unsafe at higher concentrations in most cosmetics due to argyria risk (irreversible silver tissue deposition), aquatic ecotoxicity from ionic silver release, and antimicrobial resistance implications. US market lacks specific ban but FDA signaled concern. Reformulate affected EU products immediately using alternatives such as zinc PCA, copper peptides, or established preservative systems. The EU classifies Silver as "prohibited". Safety rating: POOR. 10 toxicological study endpoint(s) are available in our database. This ingredient has been reviewed by sccs.
Is Silver allowed in the EU?
Silver EU regulatory status: prohibited. Maximum allowed concentration: Nano silver (1–100 nm): fully banned from Feb 1 2025. Non-nano silver (100 nm–1 mm): restricted from May 1 2026 to toothpaste (≤0.05%), mouthwash (≤0.05%), eye shadow (≤0.2%), lip products (≤0.2%). This is based on EU Regulation 1223/2009 and its amendments.
What does Silver do in cosmetics?
Silver functions as: Antimicrobial; preservative co-active; antifungal; anti-biofilm. It is classified as a Active Ingredient in our database. CAS number: 7440-22-4.
What is the Margin of Safety for Silver?
not established The Margin of Safety (MoS) is calculated using SCCS methodology. A MoS above 100 is generally considered safe. Use the MoS Calculator tool to calculate MoS for your specific formulation and product category.
What is the NOAEL for Silver?
The NOAEL (No Observed Adverse Effect Level) for Silver is 0.0045 mg/kg bw/day based on a toxicological study via oral route in rat. A total of 10 study endpoints are available. Source: SCCS_PDF_extraction.
Is Silver classified as hazardous under GHS?
Silver carries a GHS signal word of "WARNING". Hazard statements: Very toxic to aquatic life with long lasting effects. This classification is based on the ILO/WHO International Chemical Safety Card and ECHA C&L inventory data. Note: GHS classification applies to the pure substance — at cosmetic use concentrations, hazard thresholds may not be met.
Compliance Tools
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