Reference source : UK Government
Cosmetic Ingredients UK Cosmetics Regulation Annex II Cosmetics Regulation Scientific Advisory Group on Chemical Safety of Non-Food and Non-Medicinal Consumer Products (SAG-CS) CMR Substances CLP Regulation Hexyl Salicylate Annex III Cosmetics Regulation GB Compliance
The UK Government has published The Cosmetic Products Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009 (Restriction of Chemical Substances) (Amendment and Transitional Provisions) (No. 2) Regulations 2026, introducing new restrictions on the use of hexyl salicylate and prohibiting a group of substances classified as carcinogenic, mutagenic or toxic for reproduction (CMR) in cosmetic products.
This update to the retained Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009 reflects recent scientific assessments and classifications under the Cosmetics Regulation (Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008), thereby aligning Great Britain (England, Scotland and Wales) with requirements already applicable in the EU and Northern Ireland.
Restriction of Hexyl Salicylate
The regulation introduces a new entry in Annex III, which restricts the use of hexyl salicylate (CAS 6259-76-3) in cosmetic products.
Hexyl salicylate is classified as a CMR Category 2 substance under the CLP Regulation. Following a scientific assessment, it has been deemed safe for use in cosmetic products subject to specific restrictions.
The maximum permitted concentrations range from:
Lower limits apply to products intended for children aged 0–3 years.
Addition of CMR Substances to Annex II
The regulation also amends Annex II by adding 13 substances classified as CMR Category 1B or 2, which are now prohibited in cosmetic products. This reflects the automatic restriction mechanism set out in Article 15 of the Cosmetics Regulation, whereby CMR substances are banned unless they are specifically exempted. The substances are listed in the table below.
|
Substance |
CAS No. |
|
Sodium 3-(allyloxy)-2-hydroxypropanesulphonate |
52556-42-0 |
|
N,N’-Methylenediacrylamide |
110-26-9 |
|
Reaction mass of 1,3-dioxan-5-ol and 1,3-dioxolan-4-ylmethanol |
— |
|
1,4-Dichloro-2-nitrobenzene |
89-61-2 |
|
Pyraclostrobin |
175013-18-0 |
|
Tert-Butyl 2-ethylperoxyhexanoate |
3006-82-4 |
|
Fenpropidin |
67306-00-7 |
|
2-Ethylhexanoic acid, monoester with propane-1,2-diol |
85114-00-7 |
|
α,α’-Propylenedinitrilodi-o-cresol |
94-91-7 |
|
Ozone |
10028-15-6 |
|
2-Phenylpropene (α-methylstyrene) |
98-83-9 |
|
Silver (nano and massive forms) |
7440-22-4 |
|
Dinitrogen oxide |
10024-97-2 |
Transitional Periods
The regulation introduces staggered compliance timelines depending on the type of measure.
For hexyl salicylate, cosmetic products may be placed on the market until 15 August 2026, and products already on the market may be made available until 14 February 2027.
For the newly prohibited CMR substances, products may be placed on the market until 23 March 2027, and sold until 22 September 2027.
Background and Regulatory Context
The amendment is described as a technical update, reflecting:
The measure also ensures continued alignment between Great Britain’s and the EU’ requirements for cosmetic products.
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