Russia: Successful petition by Lookbio.ru and ekokosmetika.ru

Results of the petition "Getting allergenic preservatives out of Russian children’s cosmetics!" initiated by Lookbio.ru and ekokosmetika.ru are that some of the responsible Russian manufacturers of cosmetic products begin to withdraw potentially allergenic preservatives.

Some of the responsible Russian manufacturers of cosmetic products begin to withdraw potentially allergenic preservatives Methylisothiazolinone and Methylchloroisothiazolinone out of childrens’ cosmetics. In addition some legal adjustments in accordance with current European cosmetics requirements to be expected soon.

“Stop using potentially allergenic preservatives methylchloroisothiazolinone and methyliso­thiazolinone in Russian children's cosmetic”- this was the request towards Russian producers in a petition on change.org that was initiated by the Russian websites LookBio.ru and Ekokosmetika.ru.

Despite the current European discussion considering the preservatives methylchloroisothiazolinone (MCI) and methylisothiazolinone (MI) not safe, they can still be found in many Russian cosmetic products for children. Lookbio Journal and infoportal Ekokosmetika believe that manufacturers of children's cosmetics should renounce the use of MCI / MI, as did their European counterparts. They were actively supported by colleagues and associates - blogger Alona Eco,-instagram blog Info_green_washing and I'mOrganic. Russian cosmetics industry journal "Raw materials and packaging" supported the campaign by spreading information about the petition among the professional community

As a result, the petition was signed by 1289 people; letters were sent to 11 manufacturers of children's cosmetics, who still use MCI/MI and an open letter was sent to the Russian perfume and cosmetics association (RPCA).

RPCA informed that the Technical regulations for cosmetics of the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU,)are currently changing with regard to preservation (amendment No.2). So there is hope, for a corresponding legislative ban of the potentially allergenic preservatives in the near future in Russia.

There were some replies of manufactures:

- Contract manufacturing company "White factory" LLC "JV Orbita" (Kirov) believes, that the use of MCI and M is in safe concentrations and in accordance with Russian law.

- Company "Mann and Schroeder Russland" shares the concern and plans to complete the development and adjustment of formulation without these preservatives in 2017.

- Unilever Group confirms that they "do not use Methylisothiazolinone and / or combination with Methylchloroisothiazolinone in stay-on cosmetics for children.” Only OOO Kalina (which was bought by Unilever Rus) still produces rinse-off cosmetic products (brands "Dragon" and "Little Fairy") with the use of the potentially allergenic preservatives. Currently Unilever is replacing the preservatives though: five products are already free of MCI/MI and three more products will undergo changes soon.

New activity: against microplastics in cosmetics

So, to summarize: changes are never quick, but – as the results show, they are possible and on the way, and the campaign was thus successful. In order to move on, LookBio Journal and ekokosmetika.ru have already started a new campaign, together with blogger Alona Eco,-instagram account and blog Info_green_washing: against microplastics in cosmetics (#нетпластикувкосметике which means “no plastics in cosmetics”)– in line with http://beatthemicrobead.org/en/look-for-the-zero)-.