The European Union has taken another step toward updating its cosmetics legislation with a provisional agreement on the Omnibus VI package. The deal was reached between the European Parliament and the European Council after the European Commission first introduced the proposal. It speeds up the removal of cosmetic products containing carcinogenic, mutagenic, and reprotoxic (CMR) substances compared with the Commission’s original plan. Industry organizations have reacted positively, saying the outcome provides clearer rules without lowering Europe’s consumer safety standards.

EU agrees on Omnibus VI cosmetics package

The European Parliament and the European Council have reached a provisional interinstitutional agreement on the Omnibus VI package, which revises cosmetic legislation across the European Union. The agreement introduces a faster timetable for removing cosmetic products that contain carcinogenic, mutagenic, and reprotoxic (CMR) substances than the one originally proposed by the European Commission.

The agreement received a positive response from the personal care sector. Several European organizations representing the cosmetics, fragrance, essential oils, and cosmetic ingredients industries released a joint statement welcoming the outcome.

A spokesperson for one of the industry organizations said the agreement shows that Europe can simplify legislation and reduce administrative requirements without compromising high consumer safety standards. According to the statement, the Omnibus VI package provides greater predictability through clearer and enforceable rules, allowing the industry to continue innovating and competing internationally with science guiding regulatory decisions.

Updated phase-out deadlines

Under the provisional agreement, companies will have six months to stop placing affected cosmetic products on the market after a substance ban takes effect, provided no authorization for continued use has been granted. Products already on the market may remain available for another 12 months.

These deadlines are shorter than those proposed by the European Commission, which suggested transition periods of 12 months for placing products on the market and 24 months for making them available. Both proposals introduce transition periods that do not exist under the current legislation.

Companies wishing to continue using a restricted substance may apply for a derogation within 12 months after the substance receives its new classification. The phase-out timeline will only begin once a decision on that application has been made.

If a derogation request is rejected for safety reasons, businesses will have three months to stop placing products on the market and nine months before those products can no longer be made available.

If the request is refused because safer and more appropriate alternative ingredients are available, companies will instead receive 24 months to stop placing products on the market and 36 months before products must be withdrawn from sale.

No exemption for oral or inhalation classifications

The European Commission had proposed that some CMR classifications based only on oral or inhalation exposure should not automatically result in restrictions for cosmetic products if skin exposure was not involved.

The European Parliament and the European Council decided not to include that exemption. Under the provisional agreement, a CMR classification can still lead to a cosmetic ban or a derogation procedure regardless of whether the classification is linked to oral, inhalation, or dermal exposure.

Nanomaterial notification remains

The agreement also restores the requirement for cosmetic products containing nanomaterials to be notified to the European Commission before they are placed on the market. Nanomaterials are used in certain UV filters, colorants, and functional ingredients.

Current legislation requires notification before market placement. The European Commission had proposed removing this obligation, arguing that it duplicated existing notification procedures and created unnecessary administrative work.

The provisional agreement keeps the notification system but reduces the current waiting period before products can be marketed.

A member of the European Parliament involved in the negotiations said the agreement demonstrates that regulatory simplification and strong protection can work together. According to the statement, unnecessary burdens for businesses have been reduced, consumer safety information has become more visible, and legal certainty has improved without lowering Europe’s standards for health or environmental protection.

According to the European Parliament, the European Commission will publish guidance on the analysis of alternatives within one year after the legislation enters into force. The purpose is to speed up the replacement of hazardous substances used in cosmetic products.

The provisional agreement must still receive formal approval from both the European Parliament and the European Council. It will enter into force 20 days after publication in the Official Journal of the European Union.

Industry welcomes the agreement

Following the agreement between the European institutions, several organizations representing the cosmetics, fragrance, essential oils, cosmetic ingredients, natural cosmetics, and small business sectors released a joint statement welcoming the outcome.

The organizations said the political agreement strikes a balance between maintaining Europe’s high level of consumer protection and improving the clarity, predictability, and practical application of cosmetic and fragrance legislation.

They added that the agreement shows consumer safety, innovation, and competitiveness can all be supported through science-based policymaking.

The joint statement also emphasized the economic importance of the European fragrance, cosmetics, and personal care industry. According to the organizations, the sector is worth €180 billion (US$206 billion), generates €30 billion (US$34 billion) in export revenue for the European economy, and supports 3.5 million jobs.

The organizations concluded that consumer safety remains the highest priority for the cosmetics, fragrance, essential oils, and cosmetic ingredients industries. They stated that the agreement preserves that commitment while reducing unnecessary administrative burdens and supporting competitiveness through science-based and proportionate regulation.