UK: Updates to regulations for cosmetics

 

In UK, an update to the Cosmetics regulation was published: The Cosmetic Products (Restriction of Chemical Substances) (No. 2) Regulations 2024.

These measures would amend Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009 as applicable in GB (“the Cosmetics Regulation”) as they apply in [England, Wales and Scotland]. The amendments would prohibit or restrict the use of certain chemical substances in cosmetic products.

UK plans to amend the Cosmetics Regulation to permit the use of kojic acid for use at a maximum concentration of up to 1% in the following cosmetic products: face and hand products. It will also amend the Cosmetic Regulation to prohibit the use of chemicals classified as CMR substances under Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008 (the GB CLP Regulation).

The Cosmetics Regulation contains technical annexes that establish limits and prohibitions on the use of specified chemicals. The Government has powers to amend the various annexes when certain conditions are met. The objective of the measure is to amend the permitted use of specific chemicals in order to ensure that only cosmetics products that are considered safe can be placed on the market.

The measure requires amending a technical annex of the Cosmetics Regulation to change the permitted level of use of a specific chemical. This decision has been informed by the expert advice of the Scientific Advisory Group on Chemical Safety (SAG-CS). The SAG-CS’ primary purpose is to provide the UK Government with independent scientific advice on chemical risk.

Government has considered the recent advice from SAG-CS and made the decision to amend the Cosmetics Regulation on the use of kojic acid to permit a maximum concentration of up to 1% in the following cosmetic products: face and hand products.

Carcinogen Mutagen and Reprotoxic substances (CMRs) – Under the Cosmetics Regulation, Government is prohibiting a set of chemicals that have been classified as CMRs under the GB CLP Regulation. It will amend an additional technical annex to the Cosmetic Regulation to reflect the CLP classification.

To find out more about regulatory compliance for cosmetics, please contact the Product Compliance Institute directly.