Industry News

On 27 March 2025, the Secretary of State enacted the Cosmetic Products (Restriction of Chemical Substances) Regulations 2025, amending Annex III (List of substances which cosmetic products must not contain except subject to the restrictions laid down) of the UK Cosmetics Regulation (EC) No. 1223/2009, to restrict the use of methyl salicylate in cosmetic products. The amendment has been laid before parliament on 31 March 2025 and will come into force on 30 September 2025. It applies to England, Wales and Scotland.

This article summarizes the latest developments in UK cosmetics regulations in 2024, as well as the scientific advice issued by the UK Scientific Advisory Group on Chemical Safety of Non-Food and Non-Medicinal Consumer Products (SAG-CS). The aim is to help businesses stay informed about the latest regulatory changes, ensure compliance, and successfully enter the UK market.

On January 16, 2025, the UK notified the World Trade Organization (WTO) of the draft Cosmetic Products (Restriction of Chemical Substances) Regulations 2025, proposing amendments to Annex III of Regulation (EC) No. 1223/2009 on cosmetic products to restrict the use of Methyl Salicylate in certain cosmetic formulations. The regulation is scheduled to be adopted on April 30, 2025, and will officially come into effect on September 30, 2025.

This article compiles the cosmetic regulation updates that took place in September and October in Europe (including the UK), America, and the Asia Pacific region.

On October 3, 2024, the UK submitted notification G/TBT/N/GBR/81/Add.1 to the World Trade Organization to amend Regulation No. 1223/2009 (EC) (UK Cosmetics Regulation) applicable to England, Wales, and Scotland. This draft amendment is an addendum to the notification G/TBT/N/GBR/81 submitted by the UK on April 10, 2024.

Perfluorohexane sulfonic acid (PFHxS) is a highly surface-active perfluorinated compound with chemical properties similar to perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS). Following the ban on PFOS by the Stockholm Convention in 2009, PFHxS has been widely used as a substitute in various products. However, PFHxS is persistent in the environment, capable of long-range transport, and may cause developmental toxicity, neurotoxicity, hepatotoxicity, and reproductive toxicity. At the 10th Conference of the Parties to the Stockholm Convention (SC COP-10), PFHxS, its salts, and related compounds were listed in Annex A of the Convention for elimination, with no exemptions allowed.

On July 20, 2023, the United Kingdom issued the Cosmetic Products (Restriction of Chemical Substances) Regulations 2023 (No. 836 of 2023), to revise the requirements for the use of Methyl-N-methylanthranilate (CAS No. 85-91-6), HAA, and HAA (nano) (CAS No. 919803-06-8). This regulation applies to England, Wales, and Scotland.

On 13 April 2022, the United Kingdom notified WTO of a technical trade measure related to toys and cosmetics, with the notification number G/TBT/N/GBR/47. This notified Regulation amends Part 3 of Schedule 2 to the Toys (Safety) Regulations 2011 to prohibit the use of specific allergenic fragrances in Toys. It also restricts the permitted levels of aluminium in toys and the use of aniline, and formaldehyde in toys intended for use by children under 36 months or in other toys