CI 77820, an ingredient listed in the European Food Additives List as E174 and in the Colour Index International as CI 77820. Its chemical name is Silver

EU regulatory update on CI 77820 (Silver) 

• The main change comes with Regulation (EU) 2026/78, published on 13/01/2026 and applicable from 01/05/2026.

• Annex IV (colorants), updated entry 142: CI 77820 (silver, powder) is permitted only if the particle size is 100 nm < diameter < 1 mm, only in:

  • lip products

  • eye shadow
    With a maximum limit of 0.2% in the finished product.

• In parallel, the “forms” are explicitly defined by particle size (with implications for allowed/prohibited status):

  • silver (nano): 1–100 nm

  • silver (massive): ≥ 1 mm

• Annex III (restrictions), entry 379: for silver (powder) (same particle-size window) in oral products:

  • toothpaste: max 0.05%

  • mouthwash: max 0.05%

Operationally: from 01/05/2026, if you use CI 77820 as a colorant outside lip products/eye shadow, you will need reformulation or replacement; in any case, you should verify the particle-size specification in the supplier documentation and update the PIF accordingly.

What it is used for and where

Cosmetics  - INCI Functions

• Colorant. This ingredient has the primary function of colouring the solution in which it is inserted in a temporary, semi-permanent or permanent manner, either alone or in the presence of the complementary components added for colouring.
• Deodorant agent. When substances that give off an unpleasant odour are included in cosmetic formulations (typical examples are methyl mercaptan and hydrogen sulphide derived from garlic), deodorants attenuate or eliminate the unpleasant exhalation.
• Skin conditioning agent - Miscellaneous.  This ingredient has the task of modifying the condition of the skin when it is damaged or dry by reducing its flakiness and restoring its elasticity.

Cosmetic safety

Restricted cosmetic ingredient as  IV/142 a Relevant Item in the Annexes of the European Cosmetics Regulation (EU) 2026/78.  Wording of conditions of use and warnings:    Purity criteria as set out in Commission Directive 95/45/EC (E174)

EFSA's opinion on this ingredient:

Abstract. The present opinion deals with the re-evaluation of the safety of silver (E 174) when used as a food additive. Silver in food additive E 174 is present in its elemental form. The Panel noted that there are data gaps and concerns to be addressed to conduct a risk assessment with respect to the use of silver (E 174): lack of data on toxicity studies on elemental silver or the food additive (E 174); unknown particle size distribution of the food additive (E 174); evidence of the release of silver ions from elemental silver, which may be of concern. However, the extent of the release of the silver ions is unknown in the case of silver (E 174). The Panel concluded that the information available was insufficient to assess the safety of silver as food additive. The major issues included chemical identification an d characterisation of silver E 174 (e.g. quantity of nanoparticles and release of ionic silver) and similar information on the material used in the available toxicity studies. Therefore, the Panel concluded that the relevance of the available toxicological studies to the safety evaluation of silver as a food additive E 174 could not be established. The Panel recommended that the specifications for E 174 should include the mean particle size and particle size distribution (± SD), as well as the percentage (in number) of particles in the nanoscale (with at least one dimension below 100 nm), present in the powder form of silver (E 174) used as a food additive. The methodology applied should comply with the EFSA Guidance document, e.g. scanning electron microscopy (SEM) or transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The Panel recommended that additional data in line with the current Guidance document on evaluation of food additives would be required (1).

Chemical name   Silver

CAS: 7440-22-4

Molecular Formula   Ag

EC number 231-131-3

DTXSID4024305

UNII 3M4G523W1G

MFCD00003397

Synonyms:

• Silver, colloidal
• Nanosilver
• Silver metal
• Silver powder
• Silver nanoparticles

References_____________________________________________________________________

(1) EFSA Panel on Food Additives and Nutrient Sources added to Food (ANS). (2016). Scientific opinion on the re‐evaluation of silver (E 174) as food additive. EFSA Journal, 14(1), 4364.