Updated Cosmetic Products Group Standard to Apply in New Zealand from 1 January 2026

The updated Cosmetic Products Group Standard 2020 will enter into force in New Zealand on 1 January 2026. The Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) has published a consolidated version of the Standard incorporating amendments adopted in January 2024. These amendments introduce revised ingredient controls, an expanded scope, and updated compliance requirements for all cosmetic products placed on the New Zealand market.

Revised scope and ingredient controls

According to EPA, the updated standard will apply to any cosmetic product containing a hazardous ingredient, even if the final product is not classified as hazardous. The changes also update the ingredient schedules that manufacturers and importers must follow. These include:

• Schedule 4: Ingredients that are prohibited in cosmetic products.
• Schedule 5: Restricted ingredients and applicable concentration limits or conditions.
• Schedule 6: Permitted colourants.
• Schedule 7: Permitted preservatives.
• Schedule 8: Permitted UV filters.

EPA notes that the updates to Schedules 4 to 8 have largely been made to maintain alignment with regulatory requirements in Europe.

PFAS to be phased out from cosmetic products

The amendment adopted in January 2024 introduced a phase-out of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in cosmetic products. PFAS have been added to Schedule 4, Table 2 of the Group Standard and will therefore no longer be permitted. According to EPA, the import or manufacture of cosmetics containing PFAS will be prohibited from 1 January 2027, and such products will no longer be sold from 1 January 2028. Any remaining PFAS-containing cosmetic products must be disposed of by 1 July 2028.

Labelling and other compliance requirements

In addition to the ingredient rules, the updated Group Standard includes revised labelling requirements. These cover the listing of ingredients, batch codes, the identification of nanomaterials, and other mandatory label elements. The standard also contains rules on packaging, storage, disposal, and notification of products containing nanomaterials.

The full consolidated Cosmetic Products Group Standard 2020, which takes effect on 1 January 2026 is available here.