The table below provides an overview of the existing and upcoming distinctions in ingredient prohibitions and restrictions within the Cosmetic Regulations for the UK and EU markets.
| Cosmetic Ingredient | EU Cosmetics Regulation | UK Cosmetics Regulation |
|---|---|---|
| Titanium dioxide | Annex III, IV, and VI – restrictions for Titanium dioxide in powder form containing 1 % or more particles with aerodynamic diameter ≤ 10 μm. Applied from 1 October 2021. | Restrictions as per EU situation before 1 October 2021, which means fewer restrictions currently than in the EU. |
| Salicylic Acid | Annex III/98 – allowed up to 3% in rinse-off hair products; 2% in other products (except for body lotion, eye shadow, mascara, eyeliner, lipstick, roll-on deodorant); 0.5% in body lotion, eye shadow, mascara, eyeliner, lipstick, roll-on deodorant; not to be used in specific product categories with a demand for related warning. Applied from 17 June 2021. | Annex III/98 – allowed up to 3% in rinse-off hair products; 2% in other products (except for body lotion, eye shadow, mascara, eyeliner, lipstick, roll-on deodorant); 0.5% in body lotion, eye shadow, mascara, eyeliner, lipstick, and roll-on deodorant; not to be used in specific types of products with a demand for related warning. Entered into force on 15 December 2022. The transition period ended on 15 March 2023. |
| Tetrahydropyranyloxy phenol (i.e., Deoxyarbutin) | Annex II/1657 Applied from 26 July 2021. | Annex II/1645 Entered into force on 15 December 2022. The transition period ended on 15 March 2023. |
| Dihydroxyacetone | Annex III/321- allowed up to 10% in self-tan and 6.25% in non-oxidative hair dye. Applied from 22 April 2022. | There is no restriction yet. |
| Butylphenyl methylpropional | Annex II/1666 Applied from 1 March 2022. | Annex II/1666 Entered into force on 15 October 2022. The transition period ended on 15 December 2022. |
| Methoxyethyl acrylate | Annex II/1668 Applied from 1 March 2022. | Annex II/1668 Entered into force on 15 October 2022. The transition period ended on 15 December 2022. |
| Sodium Hydroxymethylglycinate | Annex V/51 - restricted at 0.5%; not to be used if the maximum theoretical concentration of releasable formaldehyde, irrespective of the source, in the mixture as placed on the market is ≥ 0,1 % w/w. Applied from 1 March 2022. | Included in Annex V/51 - restricted at 0.5%; not to be used if the maximum theoretical concentration of releasable formaldehyde, irrespective of the source, in the mixture as placed on the market is ≥ 0,1 % w/w. Entered into force on 15 October 2022. The transition period ended on 15 December 2022. |
| Zinc Pyrithione | Annex II/1670 Applied from 1 March 2022. | Annex II/1669 Entered into force on 15 October 2022. The transition period ended on 15 December 2022. |
| Methyl-N-methylanthranilate | Annex III/323 Applied from 21 November 2022. | Restriction published. Placing on the market 6 July 2024; making available 6 July 2026. |
| 5th (V) CMR Omnibus ingredients | The Omnibus V contains, among others, methylene di-t-butylcresol, methyl isobutyl ketone which are added to Annex II; Methyl Salicylate is added to Annex III. Applied from 17 December 2022. | There is no restriction yet. GB MCL amendments notified to WTO. |
| 6th (VI) CMR Omnibus ingredients | The Omnibus VI contains the cosmetic ingredients "Benzophenone, Theophylline, Melamine, Azadirachta Indica Seed Extract, Azadirachta Indica Bark/Seed Extract, Trimethylolpropane triacrylate, Pentetic acid, Pentasodium pentetate, Salts of 2-ethylhexanoic acid (Zinc Ethylhexanoate) unless authorized by Annex VI to Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008". The harmonized CMR classification will apply from 1 December 2023. | No restriction published yet. GB MCL amendments notified to WTO (does not include Pentetic acid, Pentasodium pentetate). |
| Benzophenone-3 and Octocrylene | Annex VI restrictions. Applied from 28 July 2023. | Under assessment for suspected endocrine disrupting properties. |
| Formaldehyde releasers | New labelling requirements where the total concentration of formaldehyde released in the finished product exceeds 0,001 % (10 ppm), irrespective of whether the finished product contains one or more substances releasing formaldehyde. Placing on the market 31 July 2024; making available 31 July 2026. | No update to the existing labelling requirements for products containing formaldehyde releasers. SAG-CS opinion published. |
| Various ingredients | BHT, Acid yellow 3 – Annex III. Applied from 1 July 2023 for products placed in the market. Will apply from 1 January 2024 for products made available on the market. Resorcinol (labelling correction)–Annex III. No deadline. HAA299–Annex VI. No deadline. Homosalate – Annex VI. Homosalate will apply from 1 January 2025 for products placed on the market and 1 July 2025 for products available on the market. | No restriction or updates published, but may be expected in the future. BHT expected restriction 2024-2025. SAG-CS opinion published. HAA299 regulation published; applied from 28 July 2023. |
| Fragrance ingredients | Labelling of 56 additional fragrance allergens. Published, placing on the market 31 July 2026; making available on the market 31 July 2028. | No updates. |
| Various ingredients | 4-Methylbenzylidene camphor (4-MBC)– Annex II Genistein, Daidzein, Kojic acid, Vitamin A, Alpha-arbutin, Arbutin – Annex III Triclosan, Triclocarban – updated Annex V Draft Regulation notified to WTO. Publication expected Q1 2024 | Kojic acid expected restriction 2024- SAG-CS opinion published. 4-MBC, Triclosan, Triclocarban call for data for suspected endocrine-disrupting properties issued. No updates on the other ingredients. |
| Nano ingredients | Styrene/acrylates copolymer (nano) and sodium styrene/acrylates copolymer (nano), Copper (nano), colloidal copper (nano), Colloidal silver (nano), Gold (nano), colloidal gold (nano), gold thioethylamino hyaluronic acid (nano), acetyl heptapeptide-9, colloidal gold (nano), Platinum (nano), colloidal platinum (nano), acetyl tetrapeptide-17 colloidal platinum (nano) – Annex II (draft regulation notified to WTO) Hydroxyapatite – Annex III (draft regulation notified to WTO) | OPSS launched call for data for platinum (nano), copper (nano), silver (nano)/colloidal silver (nano), gold (nano)/colloidal gold (nano)/gold thioethylamino hyaluronic acid (nano), silica (nano)/hydrated silica (nano)/silica silylate (nano)/silica dimethyl silylate (nano), lithium magnesium sodium silicate (nano), hydroxyapatite (nano) |