France bans PFAS in cosmetic products

Ingredients: PFAS (Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances)

Date of publication: 27 february 2025

France approved groundbreaking legislation banning PFAS in cosmetics from January 2026, setting a precedent that could influence EU-wide regulation.

What’s new?

On 20 February 2025, the French National Assembly approved Law No. 2025-188, promulgated on 27 February, banning the production, import, and sale of consumer products containing intentionally added PFAS. The legislation, proposed by the Greens and supported by over 140,000 French citizens, represents the strictest PFAS action in EU territory.

PFAS (“forever chemicals”) are persistent synthetic substances used in cosmetics for their water-repelling properties and durability. France becomes the second EU country, after Denmark, to implement national bans ahead of EU-wide regulation expected by 2030.

PFAS will be banned in cosmetic products marketed in France from 1 January 2026.

What now?

Most impacted cosmetics include waterproof mascaras and eyeliners; long-lasting foundations and concealers; lipsticks and lip glosses; powders and primers.

Decrees are awaited to define the threshold of traces of PFAS allowed in finished products as well as to clarify whether a sell trough period will be granted or not for products placed on the market before Jan 1st 2026.

References

Legifrance, LOI n° 2025-188 du 27 février 2025 visant à protéger la population des risques liés aux substances perfluoroalkylées et polyfluoroalkylées

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.

Regulation (EU) 2022/692 – OMNIBUS ACT VI – New and Updated Classification of Cosmetic Ingredients

Ingredients: BENZOPHENONE, TEOPHYLLINE, MELAMINE, AZADIRACHTA EXTRACTS, TRIMETHYLOLPROPANE TRIACRYLATE, PENTETIC ACID, PENTASODIUM PENTETATE

Date of publication: 03/05/2022

Date of application: 01/12/2023

The Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2022/692 includes new or updated classification for 12 chemicals that may be used as cosmetic ingredients. Seven out of these 12 are now classified as carcinogenic, mutagenic or toxic to reproduction (CMR) and are banned from cosmetic products marketed in the EU.

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.

SCCS consultation on opinion about Salicylic Acid

Ingredients: SALICYLIC ACID

Date of publication: 15/12/2022

On December 15, 2022, the EU Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety (SCCS) released the preliminary opinion on Salicylic Acid (CAS No. 69-72-7). This opinion is open for comments until February 17, 2023.

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.

SCCS Preliminary Opinion on Sodium Bromothymol Blue (C186) as hair dyeing

Ingredients: SODIUM BROMOTHYMOL BLUE (C186)

Date of publication: 28/10/2022

Following the request from the EU Commission for a scientific opinion on the hair dye Sodium Bromothymol Blue (C186), on October 2022 the Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety (SCCS) issued a preliminary opinion. In light of the data provided, when used in non-oxidative hair colouring products up to a maximum on-head concentration of 0.5%, the SCCS is of the opinion that the complete safety of Sodium Bromothymol Blue could not be assessed.