The Cosmetic Products Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009 (Restriction of Chemical Substances) (Amendment and Transitional Provisions) Regulations 2026
In accordance with Article 31(1)(b) of the Cosmetic Regulation, the Secretary of State considers there is sufficient scientific evidence that there is a potential risk to human health arising from the use of 3-(4'-methylbenzylidene)-camphor in a cosmetic product and from the current threshold for warning labelling requirements for formaldehyde releasing preservatives listed in Annex 5 to the Cosmetic Regulation.
Citation, commencement, extent and interpretation1.
(1)
These Regulations may be cited as the Cosmetic Products Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009 (Restriction of Chemical Substances) (Amendment and Transitional Provisions) Regulations 2026.
(2)
Subject to paragraph (3), these Regulations come into force on 15th July 2026.
(3)
Regulation 2(3) comes into force on 15th August 2026.
(4)
These Regulations extend to England and Wales and Scotland.
(5)
In these Regulations “the Cosmetic Regulation” means Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council on cosmetic products.
Amendments to the Cosmetic Regulation2.
(1)
The Cosmetic Regulation is amended as follows.
(2)
“1744
3-(4’-methylbenzylidene)-camphor
38102-62-4/36861-47-9
253-242-6”.
(3)
In the table in Annex 2, after the entry inserted by regulation 2(2), insert the entries set out in the Schedule to these Regulations.
(4)
In paragraph 2 of the Preamble to Annex 5 (list of preservatives allowed in cosmetic products)—
(a)
for “contains” substitute “releases”
; and
(b)
for “0,05” substitute “0.001”
.
(5)
In the table in Annex 6 (list of UV filters allowed in cosmetic products), omit the entry at reference number 18 (3-(4-Methylbenzylidene)-d1 camphor/Enzacamene).
Transitional Provisions3.
Despite the amendments made—
(a)
by regulation 2(2), (4) and (5) of these Regulations, a cosmetic product placed on the market before 15th July 2026 may continue to be made available on the market until the end of 14th January 2027 if it—
(i)
contains the substance inserted into Annex 2 to the Cosmetic Regulation by regulation 2(2) and omitted from Annex 6 to the Cosmetic Regulation by regulation 2(5); and
(ii)
is labelled in accordance with the requirements set out in paragraph 2 of the Preamble to Annex 5 to the Cosmetic Regulation, as it has effect before 15th July 2026;
(b)
by regulation 2(3) of these Regulations, a cosmetic product placed on the market before 15th August 2026 containing any of the substances inserted into Annex 2 to the Cosmetic Regulation by regulation 2(3) may continue to be made available on the market until the end of 14th February 2027.
ScheduleEntries to be inserted into Annex 2
“1745
Diphenyl(2,4,6-trimethylbenzoyl)phosphine oxide
75980-60-8
278-355-8
1746
clothianidin (ISO); (E)-1-(2-chloro-1,3-thiazol-5-ylmethyl)-3-methyl-2-nitroguanidine
210880-92-5
433-460-1
1747
Dimethyl propylphosphonate
18755-43-6
242-555-3
1748
Dibutyltin maleate
78-04-6
201-077-5
1749
Dibutyltin oxide
818-08-6
212-449-1
1750
2,2’, 6,6’-tetrabromo-4,4’-isopropylidenediphenol; tetrabromobisphenol-A
79-94-7
201-236-9
1751
1,4-Benzenediamine, N,N'-mixed Ph and tolyl derivs.
68953-84-4
273-227-8
1752
4-Methylimidazole
822-36-6
212-497-3
1753
Acetone Oxime
127-06-0
204-820-1
1754
Benthiavalicarb isopropyl (ISO); isopropyl [(S)-1-{[(R)-1-(6-fluoro-1,3-benzothiazol-2-yl)ethyl]carbamoyl}-2-methylpropyl]carbamate
177406-68-7
1755
2,3-epoxypropyl neodecanoate
26761-45-5
247-979-2
1756
Multi-walled carbon tubes (synthetic graphite in tubular shape) with a geometric tube diameter range ≥ 30 nm to < 3 µm and a length ≥ 5 µm and aspect ratio > 3:1, including Multi-Walled Carbon Nanotubes, MWC(N)T
1757
7-oxabicyclo[4.1.0]hept-3-ylmethyl 7-oxabicyclo[4.1.0]heptan-3-carboxylate
2386-87-0
219-207-4
1758
2-(dimethylamino)-2-[(4-methylphenyl)methyl]-1-[4- (morpholin-4-yl)phenyl]butan-1-one
119344-86-4
438-340-0
1759
S-metolachlor (ISO); 2-chloro-N-(2-ethyl-6-methylphenyl)-N-[(2S)-1-methoxypropan-2-yl]acetamide; (R a S a)-2-chloro-N-(6-ethyl-o-tolyl)-N-[(1S)-2-methoxy-1-methylethyl]acetamide [contains 80-100 % 2-chloro-N-(2-ethyl-6-methylphenyl)-N-[(2S)-1-methox-ypropan-2-yl]acetamide and 0-20 % 2-chloro-N-(2-ethyl-6-methylphenyl)-N-[(2R)-1-methoxypropan-2-yl]acetamide]
87392-12-9
1760
Trimethyl borate
121-43-7
204-468-9”
Following advice from the Scientific Advisory Group on Chemical Safety of Non-Food and Non-Medicinal Consumer Products that there is a potential risk to human health from the use of certain chemical substances in cosmetic products, these Regulations amend Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009 (“the Cosmetic Regulation”). Specifically, regulation 2(2) amends Annex 2 to the Cosmetic Regulation (list of substances prohibited in cosmetic products) (“Annex 2”) to prohibit the use of 3-(4'-methylbenzylidene)-camphor in cosmetic products. Regulation 2(4) amends the Preamble to Annex 5 (list of preservatives allowed in cosmetic products) to the Cosmetic Regulation to reduce the threshold for warning labelling requirements for formaldehyde releasing preservatives used in cosmetic products. These amendments apply from 15th July 2026.
Regulation 2(3) and the Schedule further amend Annex 2 to add substances that have been classified as category 1B or 2 carcinogenic, mutagenic or toxic for reproduction (“CMR”) substances under Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008, prohibiting these substances from use in cosmetic products. This amendment applies from 15th August 2026.
Regulation 3 sets out the transitional arrangements for cosmetic products containing these substances.
A full impact assessment has not been produced for this instrument as no, or no significant, impact on the private, voluntary or business sectors is foreseen. An Explanatory Memorandum is published alongside these Regulations on www.legislation.gov.uk.