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On October 19, 2026, UK HSE issued a notice formally adding nine chemical substances to the UK REACH Candidate List of Substances of Very High Concern (SVHC).

CIRS Group has summarized the latest global cosmetic regulatory developments of September 2026 to help enterprises gain a comprehensive view of global regulatory trends.

On 27 August 2026, the UK Health and Safety Executive (HSE) issued a notice announcing significant updates to the chemicals list under the GB Prior Informed Consent (PIC) Regulation. The new rules officially took effect on 28 August 2026.

On July 21, 2026, UK HSE published its agency opinion on the restriction proposal for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in firefighting foams.

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.