Consumers often evaluate cosmetics with a simple question: “Does it work?” Yet from a regulatory perspective, this question combines two very different concepts that are assessed independently: product safety and product performance. Understanding this distinction is becoming increasingly important as consumers encounter a growing number of claims about anti-aging effects, hydration, skin repair, natural ingredients,...
The European regulatory landscape for cosmetic ingredients continues to evolve, and recent developments at the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) have attracted significant attention across the cosmetics industry. Two substances in particular—Climbazole and Benzylhemiformal—have become the subject of regulatory proposals that could influence their future use in cosmetic products. Although these proposals do not immediately change...
The sunscreen category has evolved considerably in recent years. While much regulatory attention has traditionally focused on UV filters and efficacy claims, innovation is increasingly taking place through product design and application formats. Among the formats attracting growing consumer interest are sunsticks and cushion-based sunscreen products. These alternatives to conventional creams and sprays have been...
On April 29, 2026, Indonesia’s Food and Drug Supervisory Agency (BPOM) issued Regulation No. 8 of 2026 on Cosmetic Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) Certification. The new regulation replaces Regulation No. 33 of 2021 and took effect on the day it was promulgated. GMP certificates, GMP aspect fulfillment certificates, and shared facility approvals that were issued...
The European Union has introduced new provisions under Regulation (EU) 2024/2865 that affect how hazardous substances and mixtures are labelled when supplied in very small containers. The changes are part of the ongoing revision of the Classification, Labelling and Packaging (CLP) framework and aim to address a long-standing practical challenge: how to communicate hazard information...
Few ingredients are as widely used in cosmetics as ethanol. It is found in perfumes, deodorants, aftershaves, hair products and many other formulations, where it serves as a solvent, carrier and preservative-supporting ingredient. Despite its long history of use, ethanol has recently become the subject of increased regulatory scrutiny in the European Union. Ongoing discussions...
The European Commission’s Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety (SCCS) has published its Scientific Advice on Butylated Hydroxyanisole (BHA), providing an updated assessment of the ingredient’s safety when used in cosmetic products. This Scientific Advice is particularly noteworthy because BHA has been among the substances scrutinised in recent years due to concerns about potential endocrine-disrupting properties....
The European Commission has now published a simplification review of the EU Deforestation Regulation. The stated goal is to reduce administrative burdens while keeping the regulation’s main objective intact, namely reducing the EU’s contribution to global deforestation and forest degradation. The EUDR entered into force in 2023. It requires companies placing commodities such as cocoa,...
The Japanese Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (MHLW) has clarified the regulatory status of Triheptanoin in cosmetics following the ingredient’s approval for pharmaceutical use. In an administrative notice issued on 20 April 2026, the Pharmaceutical Safety and Environmental Health Bureau confirmed that Triheptanoin is now classified as a pharmaceutical ingredient under Japan’s Pharmaceutical and...
The European Commission’s Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety (SCCS) has published a preliminary opinion on the safety of acetophenone (CAS No. 98-86-2), opening a new chapter in the ongoing regulatory assessment of this substance within the European cosmetics framework. Although acetophenone is not among the most widely discussed cosmetic ingredients, its recent toxicological classification and...
