On 31 October 2025, Great Britain notified the WTO of an amendment to its cosmetics regulation, announcing the prohibition of 17 additional substances in cosmetic products.
Lower labelling threshold for Formaldehyde-releasing substances
Following the SAG-CS opinion on formaldehyde-releasing substances, the UK Cosmetics Regulation will reduce the current labelling threshold from 0.05% to 10 ppm (0.001%) for both leave-on and rinse-off cosmetic products.
This change aligns Great Britain with the European Union’s regulatory framework.
Ban on 4-Methylbenzylidene Camphor (4-MBC)
Similarly, based on a recent SAG-CS opinion concluding that no safe use level could be established for the UV filter 4-Methylbenzylidene Camphor (4-MBC), the ingredient has been added to Annex II, effectively banning its use in cosmetics in Great Britain.
This move again mirrors regulatory actions already taken in the EU.
Ban on 16 new CMR substances including TPO
Within the same legislative instrument, Great Britain is also banning 16 substances classified as carcinogenic, mutagenic, or toxic to reproduction (CMRs). These substances were already prohibited in the EU through Omnibus Acts VII and VIII, including TPO (Diphenyl(2,4,6-trimethylbenzoyl)phosphine oxide), which has been banned in the EU since 1 September 2025.
The newly added substances to Annex 2 are:
- Diphenyl(2,4,6-trimethylbenzoyl)phosphine oxide (TPO) – CAS 75980-60-8
- Clothianidin – CAS 210880-92-5
- Dimethyl propylphosphonate – CAS 18755-43-6
- Dibutyltin maleate – CAS 78-04-6
- Dibutyltin oxide – CAS 818-08-6
- Tetrabromobisphenol-A – CAS 79-94-7
- 1,4-Benzenediamine, N,N’-mixed Ph and tolyl derivs – CAS 68953-84-4
- 4-Methylimidazole – CAS 822-36-6
- Acetone oxime – CAS 127-06-0
- Benthiavalicarb isopropyl – CAS 177406-68-7
- 2,3-Epoxypropyl neodecanoate – CAS 26761-45-5
- Multi-walled carbon nanotubes (specified size range)
- 7-Oxabicyclo[4.1.0]hept-3-ylmethyl 7-oxabicyclo[4.1.0]heptan-3-carboxylate – CAS 2386-87-0
- 2-(Dimethylamino)-2-[(4-methylphenyl)methyl]-1-[4-(morpholin-4-yl)phenyl]butan-1-one – CAS 119344-86-4
- S-Metolachlor – CAS 87392-12-9
- Trimethyl borate – CAS 121-43-7
Deadlines for compliance
- Formaldehyde-releasing substances
Products containing formaldehyde-releasing substances may be placed on the market until 15 July 2026 and may remain available until 15 January 2027.
- Banned CMR substances
Products containing any newly banned CMR substance may be placed on the market until 15 August 2026 may remain available until 15 February 2027.
Notably, the UK Cosmetic, Toiletry and Perfumery Association (CTPA) recently published its interpretation of the TPO ban as it applies to salons and nail technicians. In contrast to the European Commission’s position, the CTPA argues that salons, nail technicians, and other professionals should still be allowed to use products already purchased, even though they will no longer be able to buy them from distributors after the relevant deadlines.
References
WTO. (2025). Draft Cosmetic Products (Restriction of Chemical Substances) Regulations 2026. Retrieved on 3 November 2025.
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