News Details

On 12 January 2026, the UK government made the Cosmetic Products Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009 (Restriction of Chemical Substances) (Amendment and Transitional Provisions) Regulations 2026 (SI 2026/23). The regulations were laid before Parliament on 15 January 2026 and introduce new substance prohibitions, updated labelling requirements and transitional arrangements for cosmetic products placed on the Great Britain market (England, Scotland and Wales).

These amendments follow advice from the Scientific Advisory Group on Chemical Safety of Non-Food and Non-Medicinal Consumer Products (SAG-CS), which identified potential health risks associated with certain substances used in cosmetic products.

Prohibition of 3-(4′-methylbenzylidene)-camphor

From 15 July 2026, the regulations will amend Annex II of the Cosmetic Products Regulation to prohibit the use of 3-(4′-methylbenzylidene)-camphor (enzacamene; CAS No. 36861-47-9) in cosmetic products. The substance will also be removed from Annex VI at the same time, meaning it will no longer permitted as a UV filter.

Formaldehyde-releasing preservatives: lower labelling threshold

From 15 July 2026, the regulations also will amend the preamble to Annex V (preservatives), tightening warning labelling requirements for formaldehyde-releasing preservatives. The wording is changed from products that “contain” formaldehyde to those that “release” formaldehyde, and the threshold triggering warning labelling is lowered from 0.05% to 0.001%.

Addition of CMR substances to Annex II

Further amendments to Annex II, effective from 15 August 2026, will prohibit the use of additional substances that have been classified as carcinogenic, mutagenic or toxic for reproduction (CMR), category 1B or 2, under Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008. These substances are listed in the Schedule to SI 2026/23 and will no longer be permitted in cosmetic products placed on the Great Britain market.

Newly prohibited CMR substances (effective from 15 August 2026)

Transitional arrangements

The Regulations include transitional provisions for products already placed on the market:

• Cosmetic products placed on the market before 15 July 2026 that contain 3-(4′-methylbenzylidene)-camphor and are labelled in accordance with the previous Annex V requirements may continue to be made available until 14 January 2027.
• Cosmetic products placed on the market before 15 August 2026 that contain any of the newly prohibited CMR substances may continue to be made available until 14 February 2027.

According to the Explanatory Note, no full impact assessment was produced for this instrument, as no significant impact on the private, voluntary or business sectors is expected.