UK Amends Cosmetics Regulation with New Ingredient Prohibitions and Restrictions

In November 2025, the UK submitted to the WTO a draft regulation proposing updates to the ingredient lists in UK Regulation (EC) 1223/2009 (Cosmetics Regulation). The draft was subsequently laid before Parliament on February 9, 2026, under the title The Cosmetic Products Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009 (Restriction of Chemical Substances) (Amendment and Transitional Provisions) (No. 2) Regulations 2026.¹

The adopted amendments are largely unchanged from the draft, except for the newly introduced restriction on Hexyl Salicylate in nail products. The tables below provide a summary of all changes.

1. List of Prohibited Ingredients: 13 added

Starting from March 23, 2027, cosmetic products containing any of the following 13 CMR substances—those classified as carcinogenic, mutagenic, or toxic for reproduction—shall not be placed on the UK market. Products already on the market before that date may remain available until September 22, 2027.