Regulatory news and insights
Updates on EU, UK and international cosmetics regulations, explained by our regulatory team.
April monthly roundup
EU Regulation (EU) 2026/909: New Restrictions for 12 Cosmetic Ingredients The European Commission has adopted Regulation (EU) 2026/909, updating the EU Cosmetics Regulation in line with new classifications under the CLP Regulation. This Omnibus update introduces simultaneous changes across Annex II, III, IV, V and VI, impacting key ingredient categories: UV filters, fragrances, preservatives and colourants. What to do now This…
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EU PFAS in Europe: Restriction Process Enters a Critical Phase The proposed EU-wide restriction on PFAS is moving forward, with ECHA’s RAC opinion now adopted and SEAC’s draft opinion open for consultation until 25 May 2026. ECHA has framed this as the final opportunity for stakeholders to comment before the proposal moves toward the European Commission. Why it matters Key takeaway…
Read articleFebruary monthly roundup
EU Prostaglandin Analogues: Final Opinion of the SCCS The Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety (SCCS) has published the final Opinion on prostaglandin analogues used in cosmetic products (notably lash and brow serums) on 10 February 2026. In 2022, SCCS was unable to conclude on safety due to insufficient data. Following new industry submissions, the Committee has now…
Read articleJanuary monthly roundup
EU Omnibus Act VIII: new CMR bans and restrictions published The European Union has formally published Regulation (EU) 2026/78, the eighth annual “CMR Omnibus” regulation amending the EU Cosmetics Regulation. The text transposes the 22nd ATP of the CLP Regulation into cosmetic law and introduces extensive changes to Annexes II, III, IV and V. Key regulatory changes include: Timeline…
Read articleDecember monthly roundup
EU Titanium Dioxide: EU Formally Confirms End of Carcinogenic Classification On 10 December 2025, the European Commission confirmed in the Official Journal the annulment of the harmonised Carcinogen Category 2 classification for titanium dioxide (TiO₂) under the CLP Regulation. This follows the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) decision of 1 August 2025, which upheld the annulment of part of Delegated Regulation (EU) 2020/217. As a…
Read articleNovember monthly roundup
EU Thiomersal & Phenylmercuric salts – SCCS preliminary Opinion on mercury-based preservatives Regulatory context Mercury and its compounds are generally prohibited in cosmetics under Annex II (entry 221) of Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009. Two exceptions still exist in Annex V (preservatives list): Due to the severe health risks associated with mercury, the European Commission asked the SCCS to reassess…
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UK Cosmetics Shake-Up for 2026: What Brands Need to Prepare For
Great Britain is moving forward with a new set of cosmetic regulatory updates that will reshape compliance requirements for ingredients, labelling, and product reformulation. Companies currently trading in the UK—or planning to enter the market—will need to anticipate these changes early to avoid supply chain disruption and reformulation bottlenecks. A regulatory proposal published by UK…
Read articleOctober monthly roundup
EU Reminder: Full Implementation of Regulation (EU) 2024/858 (Nanomaterials) — 1 Nov 2025 What changes Timing & scope What to do now Reminder: Multiple Provisions of Regulation (EU) 2024/996 Effective 31 Oct 2025 (made available on the market) Effective 1 Nov 2025 (made available on the market) Heads-up (future) — Retinoids What to do now…
Read articleSeptember monthly roundup
EU Microplastics Regulation: Draft Amendment Clarifies Exemptions On 17 September 2025, the European Commission published a draft amendment to the Microplastics Regulation (EU 2023/2055). This amendment aims to clarify ambiguities in entry 78 of REACH Annex XVII, following feedback from Member States and stakeholders. Key clarifications: Timeline: Consultation runs until 16 November 2025. Adoption is expected in Q4 2025, with the…
Read articleAugust monthly roundup
EU TPO ban clarity after confusion The European Commission has now officially banned TPO (Triphenyl Phosphine Oxide) in cosmetics, effective 1 September 2025, through Regulation (EU) 2025/877. This follows its classification as a CMR 1B substance (toxic for reproduction) under the 21st ATP of the CLP Regulation. A five-year timeline From that moment, the ban became inevitable. Despite the long lead-up,…
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SCCS Final Opinion on Benzophenone‑2 (BP‑2) & Benzophenone‑5 (BP‑5): What You Need to Know
Background: Why BP‑2 and BP‑5 Were Reviewed In April 2025, the European Commission’s Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety (SCCS) was tasked with evaluating the safety of Benzophenone‑2 and Benzophenone‑5 in cosmetic products due to concerns over potential endocrine-disrupting properties. BP‑2 had previously been used as a UV stabilizer and fragrance ingredient, while BP‑5 served as…
Read articleJuly Regulatory Roundup
EU News Regulatory Update – EU Proposes Major Changes for 12 Cosmetic Ingredients On July 16, 2025, the European Commission notified a draft Regulation that would amend several annexes of the EU Cosmetics Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009. This proposal aims to transpose recent SCCS opinions into binding law and introduces bans and restrictions for 12 cosmetic ingredients. Open for public comments until September 14, 2025. The…
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