On 8 May 2025, the World Trade Organization (WTO) was notified of an amendment to Great Britain’s Cosmetics Regulation. The primary objective of this amendment is to revise the permitted levels of benzophenone-3 in cosmetic products. This decision follows an opinion issued by the Scientific Advisory Group on Chemical Safety of Non-Food and Non-Medicinal Consumer Products (SAG-CS).
Amendment to Annex VI
The amendment specifically applies to entry 4 of Annex VI, which lists UV filters permitted in cosmetic products.
The updated restrictions on benzophenone-3 (2-Hydroxy-4-methoxybenzophenone) are as follows:
- Face, hand, and lip products (excluding propellant and pump sprays): maximum concentration of 6% in ready-to-use preparations.
- Body products, including propellant and pump sprays: maximum concentration of 2.2%.
- Other products: maximum concentration of 0.5%.
Additionally, for face, hand, lip, and body products (including propellant and pump sprays) that use benzophenone-3 at 0.5% solely to protect the product formulation, the maximum levels permitted as a UV filter are:
- Face, hand, and lip products: up to 5.5%.
- Body products, including propellant and pump sprays: up to 1.7%.
For both product types, benzophenone-3 cannot be used at more than 0.5% to protect product formulation.
Deadline for compliance
Cosmetic products that do not comply with these restrictions may be placed on the market until 21 January 2026 and can be made available until 21 July 2026.
This amendment aligns Great Britain’s regulation with the restrictions outlined in the EU Cosmetics Regulation.
Do you have questions on compliance of cosmetics in the EU, UK, USA, and Canada? Contact us here or at coslaw@obelis.net.
References
WTO. (2025). The Cosmetic Products (Restriction of Chemical Substances) Regulations 2025. Retrieved on 09/05/2025.
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