The year 2026 brings quite a few regulatory deadlines that affect cosmetic product labelling across several territories. These include the European Union, United Kingdom, Switzerland, Canada, and the United States. Some of these deadlines influence not only product formulation but labelling compliance as well. Companies placing cosmetic products on these markets should prepare early so
European Union – July 2026 labelling deadlines
Within the European Union, new regulatory requirements will affect labelling compliance. One of the main changes is the mandatory disclosure of 56 additional fragrance allergens, which must be listed individually in the ingredient list.
From 31 July 2026, these additional fragrance allergens must appear on cosmetic product labels if they are present above specific thresholds:
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0.001% in leave-on products
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0.01% in rinse-off products
Formaldehyde releasers
From that same date, new restrictions will apply to the making available on the market of products that contain formaldehyde-releasing substances. These changes directly affect labelling requirements.
Any finished cosmetic product that contains preservatives releasing formaldehyde must display the warning:
“Releases formaldehyde”
This warning becomes mandatory when the total concentration of formaldehyde released exceeds 0.001% (10 ppm) in the finished product. That rule applies regardless of whether there is one or multiple formaldehyde-releasing substances present.
EU – Additional labelling warnings
There are more restrictions as well. Some of them come from Omnibus Act VIII, and they apply from May 2026. These introduce extra mandatory warning statements.
One example involves the entry in Annex V for:
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Biphenyl-2-ol / 2-Phenylphenol / 2-Hydroxybiphenyl (o-Phenylphenol) (CAS 90-43-7)
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Sodium 2-Biphenylolate / Sodium o-Phenylphenate (CAS 132-27-4)
For cosmetics containing these substances, the label must include the wording:
“Avoid contact with eyes.”
United Kingdom – new labelling requirement for formaldehyde releasers
Starting 15 July 2026, all finished cosmetic products placed on the market in the United Kingdom that contain formaldehyde releasers must show the warning:
“Releases formaldehyde”
This rule aligns with the European Union’s mandatory labelling and restrictions.
Canada – fragrance allergen disclosure
Canada is bringing in fragrance allergen disclosure requirements in phases. These requirements follow the framework used in the European Union.
From 12 April 2026, both new and existing cosmetic products must disclose 24 fragrance allergens, which correspond to the original EU fragrance allergen list. The disclosure applies when these allergens are present above:
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0.01% in rinse-off products
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0.001% in leave-on products
