Position papers

Statement for Synthetic Amorphous Silica in the context of the definition of ‘nanomaterials’ for cosmetic use in the European Union by the Association of Synthetic Amorphous Silica Producers (ASASP), an Industry Sector Group of Cefic, version September 2020

Status of Synthetic Amorphous Silica (SAS) according to the ISO standard 16128 - Guidelines on technical definitions and criteria for natural and organic cosmetic ingredients and products, version September 2020

ASASP response to the Corrigendum Opinion of the Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety (SCCS) on silica in cosmetics with regard to solubility, version February 2020n March 202

Current interpretation as a nanomaterial, version September 2018

Statement regarding the Status of Synthetic Amorphous Silica under French Decree 2012-2321 and the Ministerial Order on the Declaration of “Substances at Nanoscale”,version September 2018

ASASP response to the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) opinion on silicon dioxide E 551, version January 2018

Statement for Synthetic Amorphous Silica regarding the definition of “engineered nanomaterials” for use in food in the European Union,version October 2017 

Publications of interest

Study demonstrates worker safety at Synthetic Amorphous Silica (SAS) Production Plants – April 2016

The safety of nanostructured synthetic amorphous silica (SAS) as a food additive (E551) -  Claudia Fruijtier-Pölloth, CATS Consultants GmbH, Arch Toxicol (2016) 90: 2885. doi:10.1007/s00204-016-1850-4

The toxicological mode of action and the safety of synthetic amorphous silica — A nanostructured material. Claudia Fruijtier-Pölloth, CATS Consultants GmbH, Toxicology. 2012 Apr 11;294(2-3):61-79. doi: 10.1016/j.tox.2012.02.001. Epub 2012 Feb 13

JACC Report 51, ECETOC, 2006. European Centre for Ecotoxicology and Toxicology of Chemicals. Synthetic Amorphous Silica (CAS No. 7631-86-9). JACC No. 51. Brussels, 237 pp

Cefic factsheet on SAS, September 2012