New Restricted and Prohibited Substances

The new addition to Annex II (the list of substances prohibited in cosmetics) is 3-(4'-methylbenzylidene)-camphor [INCI: 4-Methylbenzylidene Camphor]. From May 1, 2025, products containing this substance shall not be placed on the Union market. From May 1, 2026, cosmetic products containing this substance shall not be made available on the Union market.

Changes to Annex III: Restricted Substances

Annex III (the list of substances that cosmetic products must not contain except under the conditions specified) is amended to include:

• Genistein
• Daidzein
• Kojic Acid
• Alpha-Arbutin
• Arbutin

From February 1, 2025, cosmetic products containing the above substances that do not meet the conditions in Annex III shall not be placed on the Union market. From November 1, 2025, cosmetic products containing these substances that do not meet the conditions shall not be made available on the Union market.

• Retinol
• Retinyl Acetate
• Retinyl Palmitate

From November 1, 2025, cosmetic products containing Retinol, Retinyl Acetate, and Retinyl Palmitate that do not meet the conditions in Annex III shall not be placed on the Union market. From May 1, 2027, cosmetic products containing these substances that do not meet the conditions shall not be made available on the Union market.

Contact us if you need assistance ensuring that your cosmetic products comply with EU market regulations.

References:

European Commission. (2024). Commission Regulation (EU) 2024/996 of 3 April 2024 amending Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council as regards the use of Vitamin A, Alpha-Arbutin, and Arbutin and certain substances with potential endocrine-disrupting properties in cosmetic products.