Europe

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EU

The EU Expands Restrictions on Silver in Cosmetics: What Brands Need to Know

The European Union is significantly tightening regulations on Silver (CAS No. 7440-22-4) in cosmetic products. Following the entry into force of the Omnibus Act VIII (Commission Regulation (EU) 2026/78) on May 1, 2026, stricter prohibitions and concentration limits took effect. However, because the Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety (SCCS) published an updated final opinion on April 24, 2026, further urgent amendments are already underway. Cosmetic manufacturers exporting to the EU must quickly adapt to this evolving multi-tiered regulatory framework. I. Core Framework of the New Regulations The EU has categorized silver restrictions according to its physical form and particle size (granulometry), as toxicological risks vary significantly by physical structure. The original provisions of the Omnibus Act VIII implemented on May 1, 2026, include: II. The 2026 SCCS Safety Reassessment (SCCS/1687/25) The initial, highly restrictive regulations above were based on an older 2024 SCCS evaluation. However, the industry subsequently submitted new, […]

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EU

56 New Fragrance Allergens Added! EU Cosmetic Brands Must Take Immediate Action

The European Union cosmetic industry is currently undergoing its most extensive regulatory update in nearly a decade. Starting July 31, 2026, all cosmetics being placed on the market in the EU must disclose an additional 56 fragrance allergens on their labels, where applicable. This mandate implies critical updates for almost all products containing fragrances or plant essential oils, including: 1. Why is the EU Adding 56 New Fragrance Allergens? In 1999, the Scientific Committee confirmed 26 fragrance allergens required label disclosure to assist consumers in avoiding allergic reactions. Following updated clinical and experimental data from the SCCS in 2011 indicating further sensitizing potentials, the EU released Regulation (EU) 2023/1545 on July 26, 2023. This regulation officially added 56 allergens, bringing the total number of required disclosures to 82 items. 2. What are Fragrance Allergens? Fragrance substances are organic compounds with characteristic odors found in perfumes, skincare, detergents, and other daily

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EU

ECHA Releases Response to Proposed Classification of Sodium Fluoride, Potentially Impacting Cosmetic Use

On February 10, 2026, the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) published the Response to Comments (RCOM) regarding the proposed classification of Sodium fluoride. This document summarizes the feedback from a three-month public consultation on France’s proposal to classify Sodium fluoride as a Category 1B Reproductive Toxicant (Repr. 1B), in accordance with the Regulation on Classification, Labelling and Packaging of substances and mixtures (CLP). Regulatory Status of Sodium Fluoride in Cosmetics According to Annex III of the EU Cosmetics Regulation, Sodium fluoride is currently permitted for use in oral care products (such as toothpaste and mouthwash) at a maximum concentration of 0.15%. If Sodium fluoride is ultimately classified as a Repr. 1B substance, its use in cosmetics would be subject to a comprehensive ban under Article 15 of the Cosmetics Regulation. This article prohibits the use of substances classified as carcinogenic, mutagenic, or toxic for reproduction (CMR) in cosmetic products. Industry Stance

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