EU Bans New CMR Substances
On 13th May 2025, Commission Regulation (EU) 2025/877 amending Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009 was published to the Official Journal of the European Union. This Regulation adds to the list of CMR-classified (carcinogenic, mutagenic, toxic for reproduction) substances prohibited for use in cosmetic products under Regulation (EC) 1223/2009, the ‘Cosmetic Products Regulation’, Annex II. Twenty-one entries are added and one existing entry is amended. One of the added entries, Trimethylbenzoyl Diphenylphosphine Oxide (CAS 75980-60-8), is removed from Annex III, the list of restricted ingredients. This substance is currently used in artificial nail systems. These updates will apply from 1st September 2025.
Click here to view the Regulation.
GB OPSS Updates Benzophenone-3 Restrictions
On 8th May 2025, the OPSS (Office for Product Safety and Standards) notified the WTO of an update to the GB Cosmetics Regulation. The Annex 6 entry for Benzophenone-3 will be amended to the following:
- Face products, hand products, and lip products, excluding propellant and pump spray products: maximum ready for use concentration 6%.
- Body products, including propellant and pump spray products: maximum ready for use concentration 2.2%.
- Other products: maximum ready for use concentration 0.5%.
For product types (a) and (b), not to be used at more than 0.5% to protect product formulation. If used at 0.5% to protect product formulation, the levels used as UV filter must not exceed 5.5% for product type (a), or 1.7% for product type (b).
Deadlines are:
21st January 2026: deadline for placing on the market products not complying with the new limits.
21st July 2026: deadline for making such products available on the market.
Comments will be accepted for sixty days following the date of notification.
The WTO notification may be found here, and the Statutory Instrument here.
Health Canada Considers Amendments to Cosmetic Ingredient Hotlist
On 14th May 2025, Health Canada published a notice concerning a review of the Cosmetic Ingredient Hotlist. Health Canada is considering both additions and revisions to the Hotlist.
Proposed additions to the Hotlist are:
1. Basic Violet 4
2. Basic Blue 7
3. Polyaminopropyl Biguanide
Proposed revisions to existing Hotlist entries:
1. Symphytum spp., with the exception of Symphytum officinale
2. Brucine
3. Imperatorin
4. Furocoumarins, except for naturally occurring in plant extracts
For more details, read the notice here.
China - New Testing Methods Added to STSC
On 7th May 2025, the Chinese NMPA (National Medicinal Products Administration) released a notice on the incorporation of seven test methods into the STSC (Safety and Technical Standards for Cosmetics). The changes include five new methods and the revision of two existing methods. These methods will be implemented from 1st March 2026, however it is encouraged to use these methods for related tests for cosmetic registration and filing.
You may read the notice here.
