Monitoring report · published 5 March 2026 · reflects the rules at that date

ECHA Proposes EU-Wide Restriction on Octocrylene in Cosmetic Products

Our monitoring reports record the changes to cosmetics rules in a given period, and we publish one each month. Each one is a dated publication: it reflects the rules on the date it was published and is not updated afterwards. For what applies today, read the latest briefings or ask us.

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What’s new?

The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) opened a public consultation on a French proposal to restrict the use of the ultraviolet (UV) filter Octocrylene (CAS No. 6197-30-4) in cosmetic products. The proposal was submitted by the French Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health & Safety (ANSES) under the REACH Regulation framework.

Octocrylene is widely used across Europe for its ability to act as a UV filter and light stabilizer in cosmetic formulations, offering sun protection. Currently, this ingredient is authorized under Annex VI of the European Cosmetics Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009 at maximum concentrations of 10% in finished products and 9% in propellant aerosol sprays.

ANSES conducted an assessment demonstrating that Octocrylene use contaminates aquatic environments and soil, posing risks to the reproduction and growth of aquatic species and organisms. The proposal wants to ban this ingredient when present in cosmetic products in a concentration equal or higher than 0.001% w/w.

What now?

The proposed restriction is open for consultation until the 24^th March of 2026, in order to give the industry the opportunity to submit its comments and it is estimated that ECHA will publish its final opinion by autumn 2026.

Following the final decision, a transition period of 24 months would be granted.