UK Notifies WTO of Amendments to Cosmetic Regulation

On 10 April 2024, the UK Department for Business and Trade formally notified the World Trade Organization (WTO) of its intention to amend the GB Cosmetics Regulation (Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009), which applies in England, Wales and Scotland. The proposed amendments aim to regulate the use of certain chemical substances in cosmetic products. The amended regulations will be known as the Cosmetic Products (Restriction of Chemical Substances) (No. 2) Regulations 2024.

The Notice is open for comment for 60 days from the date of notification.

Proposed Regulatory Amendments

Among the proposed amendments, the UK plans to allow the use of kojic acid at a maximum concentration of 1% in certain cosmetic products, namely face and hand products. This follows the publication of the Final Opinion of the Scientific Advisory Group on Chemical Safety in Consumer Products (SAG-CS).

In addition, the amendments will prohibit the use of 52 chemicals that are classified as carcinogenic, mutagenic and reprotoxic (CMR) under the GB Classification, Labelling and Packaging (CLP) Regulation (Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008). The list of chemicals is available here.

The aim of these amendments is to ensure the safety of cosmetic products on the market by adjusting the permitted use of certain chemicals.

Timetable

The amendment is expected to be adopted on 25 June 2024.  Cosmetic products placed on the market on or before 20 April 2025 may continue to be made available on the market until 20 August 2025.