July 28, 2025
By Susana Planas MunGavin BSc., MSc
On July 17, 2025, the Cosmetic Products (Restriction of Chemical Substances) (No. 2) Regulations 2025, S.I No. 901 were adopted. These Regulations apply in Great Britain, England, Wales, and Scotland, and will be effective from January 21, 2026.
The Secretary of State adopted these Regulations in exercise of the powers conferred by Articles 31(1)(b) and 32(1)(b) of Regulation (EC) No. 1223/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council on cosmetic products (EU Cosmetic Regulation). Per Article 31(1)(b) of the EU Cosmetic Regulation, the Secretary of State considers there is sufficient scientific evidence that there is a potential risk to human health arising from the use of Oxybenzone (2-Hydroxy-4-methoxybenzophenone) with CAS No. 131-57-7, in a cosmetic product.
All cosmetic products placed on the market from January 21, 2026, that contain Oxybenzone must comply with the amended maximum concentration requirements established in Annex 6.
Cosmetic products currently available on the market that are compliant with the requirements of the EU Cosmetic Regulation as implemented before January 21, 2026, and containing Oxybenzone UV filter, may remain on the market until July 21, 2026.
The table in Annex 6 of the EU Cosmetic Regulation relating to the list of UV filters allowed in cosmetic products, has been amended, the entry with reference number 4 concerning product types, body parts exposed to Oxybenzone, and maximum concentration in ready for use preparations, as follows:
Table on the List of UV filters allowed in cosmetic products in Annex VI, entry no. 4 on Oxybenzone, columns (f), (g) and (h) is amended as follows:
Product type, body parts (f) | Maximum concentration in ready for use preparation (g) | Other (h) |
Skin products, other than those listed in paragraph (b), including all propellant and pump spray skin products | 2.2 % | not to be used at more than 0.5% to protect product formulation; If used at 0.5% to protect product formulation, the levels used as UV filter must not exceed 1.7 % |
Face products, hand products, and lip products (excluding propellant and pump spray face products, hand products, and lip products) | 6 % | not to be used at more than 0.5% to protect product formulation; If used at 0.5% to protect product formulation, the levels used as UV filter must not exceed 5.5 % |
All other cosmetic products | 0.5 % |
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Recommended action items
- Manufacturers, importers or those responsible for placing cosmetic products containing Oxybenzone should ensure maximum concentration in ready for use preparations are met by July 21, 2026.
- Those supplying cosmetic products containing Oxybenzone on the market must withdraw any products by July 21, 2026 if not compliant with the amending requirements under Annex 6 of the EU Cosmetic Regulations, as applicable in Great Britain, under the Cosmetic Products (Restriction of Chemical Substances) (No. 2) Regulations 2025, S.I No. 901.
References
The Cosmetic Products (Restriction of Chemical Substances) (No. 2) Regulations 2025, S.I No. 901
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