The European Union’s Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety (SCCS) has published its long-awaited final opinion on the use of Cannabidiol (CBD) in cosmetic products. Adopted on April 24, 2026, the assessment concludes that CBD can be considered safe in cosmetic products under specific conditions of use.
According to the SCCS final opinion, CBD is considered safe when used alone or in combination in dermal (skin-applied) and oral cosmetic products at concentrations up to 0.19%. The Committee also concluded that tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), which may be present as an impurity in CBD raw materials, is considered safe at levels up to 0.00025%.
The SCCS emphasized that its assessment was based on the currently available scientific data and may be revised if additional evidence becomes available. The Committee further noted that the opinion does not cover the use of CBD in cosmetic products that may result in exposure through inhalation.
CBD is one of the major cannabinoids naturally occurring in the cannabis plant and can account for up to 40% of the plant’s extract. In the European Commission’s CosIng database, CBD is described as having skin-protecting, skin-conditioning, antioxidant, and sebum-regulating properties, which has contributed to its growing popularity in cosmetic formulations in recent years.
Although CBD is not specifically regulated under Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009 on cosmetic products, certain provisions of the legislation prohibit the use of narcotic substances in cosmetics. As a result, the European Commission requested a scientific assessment from the SCCS to determine the safety conditions for the use of CBD in cosmetic products.
Following the Commission’s call for data, scientific information was collected from industry stakeholders and other interested parties between 2023 and 2024. The publication of the final opinion is regarded as a significant milestone for the European cosmetics industry and provides important guidance for companies developing and marketing CBD-containing cosmetic products.
Industry experts note that the SCCS’s positive safety assessment offers greater regulatory clarity for manufacturers. However, they also emphasize the importance of closely monitoring future regulatory developments related to CBD within the European market.