New bans and restrictions of substances in cosmetics – Omnibus Act VIII
Ingredients: CMR substances; Hexyl Salicylate; Silver; o-Phenylphenol

Data de publicação: 21 Maio 2025

The European Commission notified the WTO about draft Omnibus Act VIII, proposing amendments to Annexes II-V of the EU Cosmetics Regulation, including restrictions for Hexyl Salicylate and Silver nanomaterials, applicable from 1 May 2026.

What’s new?

The European Commission notified the World Trade Organization (WTO) about draft Omnibus Act VIII, proposing amendments to Annexes II, III, IV, and V of the EU Cosmetics Regulation.

This act implements Delegated Regulation (EU) 2024/2564, introducing newly classified CMR (Carcinogenic, Mutagenic or toxic for Reproduction) substances, and incorporates the SCCS’s findings on ingredient safety.

Amendments to Annex II – List of substances prohibited in cosmetic products

Entry 1397 will be updated to include:

  • Perboric acid (H3BO2(O2)), monosodium salt trihydrate [1] – CAS 13517-20-9
  • Perboric acid, sodium salt, tetrahydrate [2] – CAS 37244-98-7
  • Perboric acid (HBO(O2)), sodium salt, tetrahydrate [3] – CAS 10486-00-7
  • Sodium peroxoborate, hexahydrate [4]
  • Sodium perborate [5] – CAS 15120-21-5
  • Sodium peroxometaborate; sodium peroxoborate [6] – CAS 7632-04-4 / 10332-33-9 / 10486-00-7
  • Perboric acid, sodium salt [7] – CAS 11138-47-9
  • Perboric acid, sodium salt, monohydrate [8] – CAS 12040-72-1, EC 234-390-0
  • Perboric acid (HBO(O2)), sodium salt, monohydrate [9] – CAS 10332-33-9

Entry 1727 will be amended to include:

  • Silver (nano) [1 nm < particle diameter ≤ 100 nm] – CAS 7440-22-4
  • Silver (massive) [particle diameter ≥ 1 mm] – CAS 7440-22-4

Additionally, the following substances will be added to Annex II:

  • Multi-Walled Carbon Tubes (synthetic graphite in tubular shape) with a geometric tube diameter range ≥ 30 nm to < 3 µm and a length ≥ 5 µm, including Multi-Walled Carbon Nanotubes (MWCNT)
  • Reaction mass of 1,3-dioxan-5-ol and 1,3-dioxolan-4-ylmethanol
  • Acetone oxime – CAS 127-06-0
  • 2-(Dimethylamino)-2-[(4-methylphenyl)methyl]-1-[4-(morpholin-4-yl)phenyl]butan-1-one – CAS 119344-86-4
  • 2,3-Epoxypropyl neodecanoate – CAS 26761-45-5
  • Benthiavalicarb-isopropyl (ISO) – CAS 177406-68-7
  • 7-Oxabicyclo[4.1.0]hept-3-ylmethyl 7-oxabicyclo[4.1.0]heptane-3-carboxylate – CAS 2386-87-0
  • Sodium 3-(allyloxy)-2-hydroxypropanesulphonate – CAS 52556-42-0
  • 1,4-Dichloro-2-nitrobenzene – CAS 89-61-2
  • Fenpropidin (ISO) – CAS 67306-00-7
  • N,N’-Methylenediacrylamide – CAS 110-26-9
  • Tert-butyl 2-ethylperoxyhexanoate – CAS 3006-82-4
  • Trimethyl borate – CAS 121-43-7
  • S-Metolachlor (ISO) – CAS 87392-12-9
  • Pyraclostrobin (ISO) – CAS 175013-18-0

Amendments to Annex III – List of substances restricted in cosmetic products

The following entries will be added to Annex III:

  1. Silver (powder) [100 nm < particle diameter < 1 mm] – CAS 7440-22-4
    • (a) Toothpaste: Maximum concentration 0.05%
    • (b) Mouthwash: Maximum concentration 0.05%

  1. Hexyl 2-hydroxybenzoate (Hexyl Salicylate) – CAS 6259-76-3
    • (a) Hydroalcoholic-based fragrances: Maximum concentration 2%
    • (b) All rinse-off products (except for shower gel, hand wash, hair conditioner and shampoo intended for children under 3 years of age): Maximum concentration 0.5%
    • (c) All leave-on products (except hair conditioner, body lotion, face cream, hand cream, lipstick/lip balm and fragrance products intended for children below 3 years of age): Maximum concentration 0.3%
    • (d) Toothpaste: Maximum concentration 0.001%
    • (e) Mouthwash: Maximum concentration 0.001%
    • (f) Shower gel, hand wash, shampoo, hair conditioner, body, face and hand (skin) care products, lipstick/lip balm and fragrance products intended for children below 3 years of age: Maximum concentration 0.1%

Amendments to Annex IV – List of colourants allowed in cosmetic products

Entry 42 of Annex IV is updated as follows:

  • Silver (powder) [100 nm < particle diameter < 1 mm] – CAS 7440-22-4
    • (a) Lip products: Maximum concentration 0.2%
    • (b) Eye shadow: Maximum concentration 0.2%

Amendments to Annex V – List of preservatives allowed in cosmetic products

Entry 7 of Annex V is updated as follows:

  • Biphenyl-2-ol; 2-Phenylphenol; 2-Hydroxybiphenyl (o-Phenylphenol) – CAS 90-43-7
  • Sodium 2-Biphenylolate; Sodium o-Phenylphenate – CAS 132-27-4
    • (a) Rinse-off products: Maximum concentration 0.2% (as phenol)
    • (b) Leave-on products: Maximum concentration 0.15% (as phenol)
    • Combined concentration must not exceed 0.2% in rinse-off and 0.15% in leave-on products.
    • Not to be used in products with potential inhalation exposure or in oral products.
    • The label should bear the following wording: “Avoid contact with eyes”.

What now?

Omnibus Act VIII will apply from 1 May 2026, with no distinction between placing on the market and making available, requiring withdrawal of non-compliant products before this date.

References

WTO (2025), Draft Commission Regulation amending Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council as regards the use in cosmetic products of certain substances classified as carcinogenic, mutagenic or toxic for reproduction

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.

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UK Responsible Person Labelling Deadline Extension

RESPONSIBLE PERSON

Date of application: 31/12/2025

The UK Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS) have reviewed the requirement to label the product with the UK Responsible Person and have decided to extend this transitional provision for a total period of five years, until 31 December 2025.

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Any REGULATORY QUESTION?

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.

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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.

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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.

Read More »