Commission Regulation (EU) 2026/909, introducing provisions on the use of Benzyl Salicylate, Triphenyl Phosphate, Ammonium Silver Zinc Aluminium Silicate, Aluminium, water-soluble zinc salts, Acetylated Vetiver Oil, Citral, HC Blue No 18, HC Red No 18, HC Yellow No 16, Hydroxypropyl-p-phenylenediamine and its dihydrochloride salt, and DHHB in cosmetic products, was published on 27 April 2026.
This Regulation introduces significant amendments to the Annexes of Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009 on cosmetic products.
Annex II – Prohibited Substances
Entry 1597 amended
The definition of the substance previously listed solely as silver zinc zeolite has been updated. Under the new regulation, uses of silver zinc zeolite that comply with the conditions set out under Entry 61 of Annex V are exempted.
New Entry 1752 added
- Triphenyl Phosphate has been included in the list of prohibited substances in cosmetic products.
Annex III – Restricted Substances
Entries 24, 70 and 75 amended
Entry 24:
Zinc Citrate and Zinc Sulphate have been included under Annex III. While previously a general limit of 1% (expressed as zinc) applied, the updated regulation introduces product-specific limits:
- Toothpaste for users over 1 year: 1% (as zinc)
- Toothpaste for children aged 6 months to 1 year: 0.72% (as zinc)
- Mouthwash for users over 6 years: 0.1% (as zinc)
- Other products: 1% (as zinc)
Entry 70:
New product-specific limits have been established for Citral, Neral and Geranial:
- Lip make-up products (lipsticks, lip balms): 0.11%
- Deodorants and antiperspirants: 0.032%
- Eye products, face make-up and make-up removers: 0.65%
- Fragrance products (hydroalcoholic and non-hydroalcoholic, spray and non-spray): 0.6%
- Leave-on skin products (excluding lip products, deodorants, antiperspirants, fragrance products, eye products, face make-up and removers) and nail products: 0.15%
- Oral care products: 0.35%
- Leave-on hair products: 1.2%
- Rinse-off skin and hair products: 1.2%
- Leave-on products for the anogenital area: 0.063%
Entry 75:
New product-specific limits have been introduced for Benzyl Salicylate:
- Fragrance products (hydroalcoholic and non-hydroalcoholic, spray and non-spray): 4%
- Rinse-off skin and hair products (excluding shower gels/bath products): 0.5%
- Shower gels/bath products: 1.3%
- Leave-on skin and hair products (spray/non-spray, non-aerosol, excluding body lotion): 0.5%
- Leave-on hair products (spray/aerosol): 0.5%
- Body lotion: 0.7%
- Face make-up and make-up removers: 0.2%
- Oral care products: 0.004%
- Deodorants (spray/aerosol): 0.91%
New Entries added to Annex III
- Entry 381: Aluminium-containing substances, except those listed under Entries 34, 50, 189, 190 and 192 of Annex III, Entries 117, 118, 119, 121, 131 and 150 of Annex IV, Entry 61 of Annex V, and Entry 27a of Annex VI
- Entry 382: Acetylated Vetiveria Zizanioides Root Extract; Acetylated Vetiveria Zizanioides Root Oil
- Entry 383: HC Blue No 18
- Entry 384: Hydroxypropyl-p-phenylenediamine and Hydroxypropyl-p-phenylenediamine 2HCl
- Entry 385: HC Yellow No 16
- Entry 386: HC Red No 18
The use of these substances in cosmetic products is subject to specific conditions and restrictions.
Annex V – Preservatives
New Entry 61 added
- Ammonium Silver Zinc Aluminium Silicate
Annex VI – UV Filters
Entry 28 amended
- Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate (DHHB):
According to the updated regulation, the presence of Di-n-hexyl phthalate (DnHexP) as an unavoidable trace impurity in DHHB must not exceed 10 ppm.
Application and Transition Period
The Regulation will enter into force on the twentieth day following its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union.
- From 1 January 2027, cosmetic products containing these substances that do not comply with the new restrictions shall not be placed on the EU market.
- From 1 August 2028, such non-compliant products shall no longer be made available on the EU market.