In January 2026, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) released its assessment report about talc used in cosmetic products. The technical report looks at the proposed CMR classifications for talc under the GB Classification, Labelling and Packaging Regulation (GB CLP Regulation). According to the UK Agency, the available data are not sufficient to support classification for carcinogenicity. The assessment does not include talc that contains asbestos.
A major concern is that talc deposits often occur alongside asbestos
Talc is a naturally occurring magnesium silicate mineral with the chemical formula Mg₃(OH)₂Si₄O₁₀. It is widely used across several industries, including pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, rubber, paper, ceramics, agriculture, and food. The mineral can act as a filler, carrier, separator, processing aid, or anticaking agent. In cosmetic products, talc is used in body powders and other personal care products. One major concern is that talc deposits often appear alongside asbestos, which is a well-established human carcinogen. Even extremely small amounts of asbestos make talc carcinogenic. The UK technical report clearly excludes talc that contains asbestos.
EU classifies talc as CMR substance
Within the European Union, the Netherlands carried out a risk management options analysis (RMOA) that focused on occupational exposure to talc. After this work, the Netherlands submitted a harmonised classification proposal. The analysis concluded that talc that does not contain asbestos or asbestiform fibres should be classified as Carc. 2 (H351) and STOT RE 1 (H372, lungs via inhalation). The EU Committee for Risk Assessment (RAC) agreed with this classification. At the same time, RAC recommended a stricter carcinogenicity classification by upgrading talc without asbestos or asbestiform fibres to Carc. 1B (H350) according to CLP criteria. Talc is expected to be banned in the EU during 2027.
UK assessment of talc: the Agency (partially) disagrees on the CMR classification
The UK Agency reviewed the RAC Opinion, its reasoning, and other scientific evidence submitted to the HSE. Everything was assessed against the GB CLP Regulation classification criteria and the related technical guidance. The Agency agrees with RAC on the classification of talc as STOT RE 1, H372 for lungs via inhalation. RAC proposed classifying talc as Carc. 1B with hazard statement H350. The Agency does not agree with this proposal, stating that the available data are not sufficient to justify a carcinogenicity classification. Overall, the Agency does not support the RAC Opinion.
Further differences between EU and UK assessments
Differences between regulatory assessments appeared in 2025 as well. Tea tree oil is one example. The EU classifies tea tree oil as a reproductive toxicant (Repr. 2). Great Britain’s HSE has removed this classification. This situation means the EU and the UK now regulate TTO differently, which may affect allowed concentrations and cosmetic market requirements.
