Regulatory news and insights
Updates on EU, UK and international cosmetics regulations, explained by our regulatory team.
October monthly roundup
EU News Omnibus VI – Parliament adopts new withdrawal rules for CMR substances On 22 October 2026, the European Parliament approved the cosmetics section of the Omnibus VI chemicals package, introducing a significant update to Article 15 of Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009, which regulates CMR substances in cosmetics. This amendment directly impacts how regulatory departments and brands…
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SCCS publishes final opinions on Acetophenone and Heliotropin
Two fragrance ingredients, acetophenone and heliotropin, were headed toward an EU ban over CMR concerns. The SCCS has instead set concentration limits for each. Here’s what the opinions actually allow, and what to check in your formulas.
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September monthly roundup
EU environmental claims: Directive (EU) 2024/825 applies from 27 September 2026 Environmental claims can describe meaningful choices made by a cosmetic brand. They also need to tell consumers precisely what those choices concern. A statement about recyclable packaging should not create an unsupported impression of the product’s environmental performance. Similarly, a broad description like “green”…
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EU proposes broader permitted use of silver in cosmetic products
The European Commission is proposing to broaden the permitted use of micron-sized silver powder in cosmetic products following new scientific advice from the Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety (SCCS). On 30 July 2026, the European Commission notified the World Trade Organization (WTO) of a draft amendment to Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009 concerning the use of…
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Greenwashing rules take effect on 27 September 2026
Environmental claims on cosmetic packaging and marketing are about to face a much harder test. Directive (EU) 2024/825, known as the ECGT Directive (Empowering Consumers for the Green Transition), becomes fully applicable across the EU on 27 September 2026, and cosmetic brands are among the sectors most exposed to it. The Directive amends two existing…
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PPWR is now applicable: what should companies be checking first?
The Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR), Regulation (EU) 2025/40, has applied since 12 August 2026. For companies placing packaged products on the EU market, this means that PPWR is no longer only something to prepare for in the future. Some requirements already need to be addressed, while others will be introduced progressively over the…
Read articleAugust Monthly Roundup
EU Commission Opens Three Consultations on PPWR Requirements The European Commission has opened three consultations on two implementing acts and one delegated act under Article 7 of the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (EU) 2025/40. Article 7 establishes requirements concerning minimum recycled content in plastic packaging. The forthcoming measures are expected to provide the technical…
Read articleJuly monthly roundup
EU News Updated European Cosmetic Ingredients Glossary Becomes Mandatory on 30 July 2026 The European Glossary of Common Ingredient Names was published in July 2025 and will become mandatory on30 July 2026. It provides the official INCI-style names that must appear in ingredient lists on cosmetic product labels. What this means for brands: Formaldehyde Releaser Labeling: New EU…
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Is Your Skincare Actually Working? Cosmetic Testing Has the Answer
“We do not need to be perfect — and neither does our skin.” Skincare should not be about chasing perfection. It should be about understanding what the skin needs, what a cosmetic product can realistically do, and whether the claims behind that product are supported by evidence. A product may claim to improve the appearance…
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June monthly roundup
EU PPWR — Packaging & Packaging Waste Regulation starts to bite The EU’s new Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation reshapes how cosmetic packaging is designed, composed, labelled and recycled. It applies directly in every Member State, so requirements are harmonised across the bloc. Cosmetics is among the most exposed sectors given the variety of formats…
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When a Nail Product Sits Between GPSR and Cosmetic Regulation: Why Classification Is Not Always Clear-Cut
Some regulatory questions are easy to answer. Others are not, especially when a product sits between categories and does not fit neatly into one legal definition. At CE.way, we recently looked at a product that raised exactly this kind of question: should it be treated as a general consumer product under the General Product Safety…
Read articleMay monthly roundup
EU 8 New Cosmetic Substances Fully Restricted Since May 1, 2026 Regulation (EU) 2026/78 has officially entered into full application, introducing restrictions and prohibitions for 18 substances newly classified as CMRs under the CLP Regulation. Among the substances now prohibited in cosmetics are: At the same time, substances such as Hexyl Salicylate and silver powder…
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EU fragrance allergen labelling: what beauty brands need to do before July 31, 2026
Regulatory update · 4 min read On July 27, 2023, the European Commission published Regulation (EU) 2023/1545, which amends the EU Cosmetics Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009 by expanding the list of fragrance allergens that must be individually declared on cosmetic product labels. With the compliance deadline approaching fast, brands selling in the EU need to act…
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