The European Commission has published an updated version of the REACH Restrictions Roadmap Rolling List, providing an overview of substances currently under consideration for future restrictions under Regulation (EC) No. 1907/2006 (REACH). The update, released on 2 July 2026, is intended to give businesses greater visibility into the restriction process and help them prepare for...
South Korea is continuing to modernize its cosmetics regulatory framework with a new proposal that would introduce detailed implementation measures for recent amendments to the Cosmetics Act. Published by the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) on 8 July 2026, the draft Enforcement Rule clarifies how several key reforms will be applied in practice,...
Three linear siloxanes widely used in cosmetic formulations could soon face increased regulatory scrutiny in the European Union. Octamethyltrisiloxane (L3), Decamethyltetrasiloxane (L4) and Methyl Trimethicone (M3T) are expected to receive a harmonised classification under the Classification, Labelling and Packaging (CLP) Regulation, following recent changes to EU chemicals legislation. Although this development does not immediately prohibit...
Ukraine has launched a public consultation on proposed amendments to its Technical Regulation on Cosmetic Products, introducing changes that could provide cosmetic manufacturers with additional time to comply with the country’s regulatory framework. The draft proposal, notified to the World Trade Organization (WTO) on 3 July 2026, includes two significant measures: extending the transitional period...
China continues to strengthen its regulatory framework for sunscreen cosmetics through a series of new technical and testing requirements. Recent measures issued by the National Institutes for Food and Drug Control (NIFDC), together with updated toxicological testing rules that became mandatory in July 2026, signal a continued shift toward a more science-based and evidence-driven approach...
California is preparing to introduce another significant change to its cosmetics legislation. Beginning 1 January 2027, new restrictions established under Assembly Bill 60 (AB 60), known as the Musk Reduction Act, will become enforceable. The legislation expands the state’s existing cosmetic safety framework by prohibiting additional fragrance ingredients and introducing concentration limits for others. California...
The European Union is preparing another significant update to its cosmetic ingredient rules. On 8 July 2026, the European Commission notified the World Trade Organization (WTO) of a draft amendment to Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009 on cosmetic products. Commonly referred to as Omnibus Act IX, the proposal introduces new prohibited substances, updates restrictions for several...
Environmental language has become increasingly common in the cosmetics industry. Terms such as “green”, “eco-friendly”, “climate neutral” and “environmentally friendly” are now widely used on packaging, websites and advertising campaigns across the European market. However, the way these claims are communicated is changing across the European Union. Directive (EU) 2024/825, known as the Empowering Consumers...
Wet wipes present a particular environmental challenge because their appearance and use can lead consumers to treat them in the same way as toilet paper. However, many wipes do not break apart rapidly in wastewater systems. Depending on their construction, wipes may contain synthetic fibres such as polyester or polypropylene. When incorrectly flushed, these materials...
The United States has taken a significant step toward modernizing its sunscreen framework with the authorization of a new ultraviolet (UV) filter for over-the-counter sunscreen products. The decision marks the first addition of a new sunscreen active ingredient to the country’s regulatory system in more than two decades, a development closely watched by cosmetic manufacturers,...
