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Monitoring report · published · reflects the rules at that date

SCCS published final Advice on the safety of Thiomersal and Phenylmercuric salts as preservatives 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? 

On the 2nd of February 2026, the Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety (SCCS) adopted its final scientific advice regarding the safety of two mercury-based preservatives: Thiomersal and Phenylmercuric salts, ingredients permitted in cosmetic eye products at concentrations up to 0.007% (of Mercury). The preliminary opinion was open for comments until January 21, 2026, no comments were received, and the SCCS released its final opinion with a slight rewording in the text.  

The Committee was requested to evaluate these ingredient’s safety when used at currently permitted concentrations, and it was concluded that Thiomersal and Phenylmercuric salts are not safe when used as preservatives in eye products, due to its renal toxicity potential and the aggregated exposure to mercuric compounds.  

What now?

The European Commission will likely amend Annex II of the Cosmetics Regulation to implement these prohibitions, and remove these ingredients from Annex V, with typical transition periods of 18-24 months for compliance. 

References:

SCCS (Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety), scientific advice on the safety of Thiomersal (CAS No. 54-64-8, EC No. 200-210-4) and Phenylmercuric salts as preservatives in cosmetic products, preliminary version of 30 October 2025, final version of 2 February 2026, SCCS/1686/25

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