Background:
The Great Britain Mandatory Classification and Labelling List (GB MCL) provides legally binding classifications and labelling elements for hazardous substances placed on the market in Great Britain. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE), acting as the GB CLP Agency, is responsible for managing and operating the GB MCL list.
Great Britain operates its own mandatory classification system independently from the EU’s harmonised classification system. The GB MCL list is updated through ministerial decisions following the Article 37 procedure under the GB Classification, Labelling, and Packaging (GB CLP) Regulation, and it is based on scientific assessments conducted by HSE, along with feedback from industry stakeholders.
What’s new?
On the 26thof January 2026, the UK notified the World Trade Organization’s (WTO) Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee under G/TBT/N/GBR/113 of its intention to update the GB MCL list.
The proposed amendment introduces mandatory classifications for 60 hazardous substances and some cosmetic ingredients will be impacted due to their hazardous harmonised classification as CMR (Carcinogenic, Mutagenic or Toxic for Reproduction).
CMR Category 1A or 1B substances are automatically prohibited in cosmetic products under Article 15 of the UK Cosmetics Regulation.
CMR Category 2 substances may be restricted or require specific safety assessments for cosmetic use.
Amongst the substances listed, 12 can be used in cosmetics and 6 are already prohibited. From these, the following substances that can be used in cosmetics have received a CMR classification, and to secure the continuation of its, it is necessary a positive opinion from the Scientific Advisory Group on Chemical Safety of Non-food and Non-medicinal Consumer Products (SAG-CS):
- Tetrahydrofurfuryl Methacrylate (CAS No. 2455-24-5) – Repr. 1B, Skin Sens. 1A
- Pentetic Acid (CAS No. 67-43-6) – Acute Tox. 4, STOT RE 2, Eye Irrit. 2, Repr. 1B
- Pentasodium Pentetate (CAS No. 140-01-2) – Acute Tox. 4, STOT RE 2, Repr. 1B
- Pentapotassium 2,2’,2’’,2’’’,2’’’’-(ethane-1,2-diylnitrilo)pentaacetate (CAS No. 7216-95-7) – Acute Tox. 4, STOT RE 2, Eye Irrit. 2, Repr. 1B
- Potassium Bromide (CAS No. 7758-02-3) – Repr. 1B, Lact., STOT SE 3, STOT RE 1
- Potassium Borate (CAS No. 1332-77-0) – Repr. 1B
The following substances are already prohibited by the Annex II of the United Kingdom Cosmetics Regulation:
- N-(Trichloromethylthio)phthalimide (Folpet – ISO) (CAS No. 133-07-3) – Carc. 2, Acute Tox. 2, STOT RE 1, Eye Dam. 1, Skin Sens. 1A, Aquatic Acute 1, Aquatic Chronic 1
- 2,3-Epoxypropyl o-tolyl ether (CAS No. 2210-79-9) – Skin Irrit. 2, Skin Sens. 1A, Muta. 2, Aquatic Chronic 2
- Proquinazid (ISO); 6-iodo-2-propoxy-3-propylquinazolin-4(3H)-one (CAS No. 189278-12-4) – Carc. 2, STOT RE 1, Aquatic Acute 1, Aquatic Chronic 1
- Captan (ISO); 1,2,3,6-tetrahydro-N-(trichloromethylthio)phthalimide (CAS No. 133-06-2) – Carc. 2, Repr. 2, Acute Tox. 2, STOT RE 1, Eye Dam. 1, Skin Sens. 1A, Aquatic Acute, Aquatic Chronic 1
- Penconazole (ISO); 1-[2-(2,4-dichlorophenyl)pentyl]-1H-1,2,4-triazole (CAS No. 66246-88-6) – Repr. 2, Acute Tox. 4, STOT RE 2, Aquatic Acute 1, Aquatic Chronic 1
- Colouring agent CI 15585 (CAS No. 5160-02-1) – Carc. 2
What now?
The draft is open for comments until the 27th of March 2026.
The updates shall enter into force 60 days after its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union (expected in the second quarter of 2026). It shall apply following 30 months after the date of entry into force.
References:
World Trade Organization (WTO) – Committee on Technical Barriers to Trade, G/TBT/N/GBR/113
