The UK adopted the EU Annexes of the Cosmetics Regulation until 31 December 2020. However, from 1 January 2021, the UK decides if the changes occurred under the EU Cosmetics Regulation will be followed under the UK Cosmetics Regulation.
CTPA, the association representing the cosmetics industry in the UK, has compiled a list of cosmetic ingredients pointing out the differences in the use of these ingredients between the EU and the UK (see table below).
| 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. | 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); not to be used in specific product categories with a demand for related warning. Draft legislation for 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. It will enter into force on 15 December 2022. The transition period will end on 15 March 2023. |
| Tetrahydropyranyloxy phenol (i.e., Deoxyarbutin) | Annex II/1657 Applied from 26 July 2021. | The draft legislation which includes the ban on this ingredient has been published. It will enter into force on 15 December 2022. The transition period will end 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. | The draft legislation which includes the ban on this ingredient has been published. It will enter into force on 15 October 2022. The transition period will end on 15 December 2022. |
| Methoxyethyl acrylate | Annex II/1668 Applied from 1 March 2022. | The draft legislation which includes the ban on this ingredient has been published. It will enter into force on 15 October 2022. The transition period will end 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. | According to the draft legislation, it will be 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. It will enter into force on 15 October 2022. The transition period will end on 15 December 2022. |
| Zinc Pyrithione | Annex II/1670 Applied from 1 March 2022. | The draft legislation which includes the ban on this ingredient has been published. It will enter into force on 15 October 2022. The transition period will end on 15 December 2022. |
| Methyl-N-methylanthranilate | Annex III/323 Applied from 21 November 2022. | There is no restriction yet. |
| CMR Substances included in the 5th (V) Omnibus | The Omnibus V contains, among others, methylene di-t-butylcresol, methyl isobutyl ketone which will be added to Annex II; methyl salicylate will be added to Annex III. It will apply from 17 December 2022. | There is no restriction yet. |
| CMR Substances included in the 18th ATP to CLP/6th (VI) Omnibus | The Omnibus VI will contain the cosmetic ingredients "benzophenone, theophylline, melamine, Azadirachta indica extract, trimethylolpropane triacrylate, pentetic acid, pentasodium pentetate". The harmonized CMR classification will apply from 23 November 2023. | There is no restriction yet. |