Two Siloxanes Added to EU REACH SVHC Candidate List

Ingredients: Methyl Trimethicone and Decamethyltetrasiloxane

Date of publication: 25 June 2025

The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) has added two siloxane substances commonly used in cosmetics to the SVHC Candidate List due to very persistent and very bioaccumulative (vPvB) properties, triggering immediate supply chain communication and notification obligations for cosmetic manufacturers.

What’s new?

On 25 June 2025, the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) published the 33rd update to the REACH Candidate List of Substances of Very High Concern (SVHC), adding three new substances and bringing the total number of entries to 250.

Two of the newly added substances are siloxanes commonly used in cosmetic formulations: 1,1,1,3,5,5,5-heptamethyl-3-[(trimethylsilyl)oxy]trisiloxane (also known as Methyltrimethicone) (CAS 17928-28-8) and Decamethyltetrasiloxane (CAS 141-62-8).

Both substances were proposed by Norway for inclusion based on their very persistent and very bioaccumulative (vPvB) properties under REACH Article 57(d). These linear siloxanes are characterised by their excellent lubricity, low surface tension, good spreadability, and stability, making them valuable ingredients in cosmetic formulations. However, their unique structure results in high environmental persistence and bioaccumulation, making them resistant to degradation and prone to accumulating in organisms.

What now?

Both ingredients are expected to be either banned or strictly restricted to impurity levels in the future.

References

European Chemicals Agency. ECHA adds three hazardous chemicals to the Candidate List. 25 June 2025.

other REGULATORY UPDATES

Regulation (EU) 2022/1531 – OMNIBUS ACT V – applicable as of 17 December 2022

Ingredients: METHYL SALICYLATE, SODIUM HYDROXYMETHYLGLYCINATE, DBMC, MIBK

Date of publication: 15/09/2022

Date of application: 17/12/2022

The European Commission has published the Commission Regulation (EU) 2022/1531, which amends the Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009 as regards the use in cosmetic products of certain substances classified as CMR, by adding new entries to Annex II and Annex III and revising an entry in Annex V.

Italy and France – Environmental Labelling of Cosmetic Products

PACKAGING WASTE MANAGEMENT

Date of application:01/01/2023

Although the European Cosmetics Regulation is applicable to every cosmetic product made available in the European Union market, some national legislations may also apply. Environmental regulations in Italy and France specify mandatory labelling requirements applicable to packaged products marketed in these countries.

Update on the classification and labelling of Titanium Dioxide in powder form

Ingredients: TITANIUM DIOXIDE

Date of publication: 23/11/2022

The EU General Court annuls the Commission Delegated Regulation of 2019 in so far as it concerns the harmonised classification and labelling of Titanium Dioxide as a carcinogenic substance by inhalation in certain powder forms.

SCCS Final Opinion on the Safety of Triclocarban and Triclosan

Ingredients: TRICLOCARBAN and TRICLOSAN

Date of publication: 25/10/2022

During the plenary meeting on 24-25 October 2022, the Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety (SCCS) presented its final opinion on the safety of Triclocarban and Triclosan as substances with potential endocrine disrupting properties in cosmetic products.

Regulation (EU) 2022/2195 – Updates to cosmetic ingredients use requirements

Ingredients: BHT, ACID YELLOW 3, HOMOSALATE, HAA299 and RESORCINOL

Date of publication: 11/11/2022

Date of application: 01/07/2023

Commission Regulation (EU) 2022/2195 of November 2022 amends Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009, restricting the use of BHT, Acid Yellow 3, Homosalate, HAA299 and Resorcinol, in cosmetic products.

French labelling requirement for leave-on products containing Phenoxyethanol repealed

Ingredients: PHENOXYETHANOL

The EU Court of Justice repealed the French requirement for the labelling of the precautionary measurement “Not to be used on the nappy-skin area of children under 3 years of age” on leave-on cosmetic products containing Phenoxyethanol. Therefore, the labelling restriction related to Phenoxyethanol is officially not mandatory for products imported into France.