EU Revises Cosmetics Regulation: New Substance Restrictions and Triphenyl Phosphate Ban

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May 04, 2026 | EU Revises Cosmetics Regulation: New Substance Restrictions and Triphenyl Phosphate Ban

Cosmetics Regulation Amendment Regulation (EU) 2026/909 Triphenyl Phosphate Ban Cosmetic Ingredient Restrictions Cosmetic Preservatives Fragrance Allergens SCCS Opinions Cosmetics Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety (SCCS)

On 28 April 2026, the European Commission published Regulation (EU) 2026/909, amending the EU Cosmetics Regulation by introducing new restrictions, prohibitions and conditions for a range of substances used in cosmetic products.

This amendment updates Annexes II, III, V and VI of the Cosmetics Regulation (Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009). Notably, triphenyl phosphate is added to the list of prohibited substances, while several ingredients are newly restricted or subject to revised conditions of use. In addition, silver zinc zeolite is permitted as a preservative under specific conditions.

Key substance changes

Substance

CAS number

Regulatory update / concern

Triphenyl phosphate

115-86-6

Added to Annex II as prohibited in cosmetic products, following SCCS concerns that the available data were insufficient to exclude potential genotoxicity.

Benzyl salicylate

118-58-1

Restricted in Annex III with maximum concentrations by product type, following an assessment of its potential endocrine-disrupting properties.

Silver zinc zeolite / ammonium silver zinc aluminium silicate

130328-20-0

Deleted from the general prohibition entry and added to Annex V as an allowed preservative up to 1% in deodorant spray and powder foundation, subject to silver content limits.

Water-soluble zinc salts

557-34-6, 7646-85-7, 4468-02-4 and more

Updated restrictions for toothpaste, mouthwash and other products, with specific limits for young children and oral hygiene products.

Acetylated vetiver oil

84082-84-8 / 68917-34-0

Added to Annex III with concentration limits, due to sensitisation-related safety concerns.

Citral / Geranial / Neral

5392-40-5 / 141-27-5 / 106-26-3

Updated Annex III restrictions with product-specific concentration limits, based on sensitisation assessment.

HC Blue No 18

1166834-57-6 / 852356-91-3

Added to Annex III for oxidative and non-oxidative hair dye products, with a maximum on-head concentration of 0.35%.

HC Yellow No 16

1184721-10-5

Added to Annex III for hair dye products, with different limits for oxidative and non-oxidative use.

HC Red No 18

1444596-49-9

Added to Annex III for hair dye products, with different limits for oxidative and non-oxidative use.

Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate (DHHB)

302776-68-7

Annex VI updated to limit di-n-hexyl phthalate as an unavoidable trace impurity in DHHB to 10 ppm.

 

Compliance deadlines

Cosmetic products that do not comply with the new and updated restrictions may no longer be placed on the Union market from 1 January 2027. Such products may no longer be made available on the Union market from 1 July 2028. A later deadline of 1 August 2028 applies to certain Citral-related entries.

The regulation will enter into force on 18 May 2026, 20 days after its publication in the Official Journal. The full text of the regulation can be accessed here.

We acknowledge that the above information has been compiled from

Originally published on Global Product Compliance.

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