The SCCS's advice is intended to enable risk managers to take the adequate and required actions in order to guarantee consumer protection.
By the end of 2006 the SCCP had adopted close to 100 opinions or position papers on topics such as fragrances, hair dyes, sunbeds, tooth bleaching, preservatives, UV filters, and other substances.
There is also a reserve list made up of candidates found suitable for a position in a scientific committee.
The members of the SCCS are appointed on the basis of their skills and experience in the fields in question, and consistent with this a geographical distribution that reflects the diversity of scientific problems and approaches in the European Union.
The Directorate-General for Health and Consumer Protection also manages two other independent scientific committees on non-food products: For questions concerning the safety of food products, the European Commission consults the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA).