The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has updated its regulatory agenda for cosmetic products. According to the 2026 Regulatory Plan and Unified Agenda of Federal Regulatory and Deregulatory Actions, published by the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA) on 3 July 2026, November 2026 has been identified as the target date for two major regulatory initiatives affecting the cosmetics industry.
The updated FDA regulatory timeline highlights new proposals regarding formaldehyde in hair straightening products and fragrance allergen labelling in cosmetics, while several previously anticipated initiatives are no longer on the agenda.
FDA Plans to Restrict Formaldehyde in Hair Straightening Products
The first proposed rule, scheduled for publication in November 2026, focuses on the use of formaldehyde and formaldehyde-releasing substances in hair-smoothing and hair-straightening products.
According to the official rulemaking record, FDA intends to prohibit the use of formaldehyde and formaldehyde-releasing chemicals, including methylene glycol, in cosmetic products marketed in the United States for hair straightening or hair smoothing purposes.
At this stage, the proposal does not constitute a final ban. Instead, FDA is expected to publish a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) in November 2026, allowing stakeholders to provide comments before any final regulation is adopted.
New Fragrance Allergen Labelling Requirements for Cosmetics
The second regulatory initiative planned for November 2026 concerns the disclosure of fragrance allergens in cosmetic labelling.
Under the proposed rule titled “Disclosure of Fragrance Allergens in Cosmetic Labelling”, FDA intends to:
- Identify substances that should be classified as fragrance allergens
- Require the disclosure of those substances on cosmetic product labels
- Improve ingredient transparency for consumers purchasing cosmetic products
Further details, including the list of fragrance allergens and the applicable labelling requirements, are expected to be clarified once the proposed rule is published.
Asbestos Testing Rule No Longer Included
Another notable change in the updated FDA regulatory agenda is the removal of the previously anticipated rule concerning asbestos testing methods for talc-containing cosmetic products.
The initiative has already been withdrawn and is no longer part of the current FDA regulatory plan.
Cosmetic GMP Regulation Remains Pending
The long-awaited Cosmetic Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) regulation is also absent from the updated FDA regulatory timetable.
Its omission indicates that the publication scheduled for the FDA’s GMP requirements has not yet been finalised.
What This Means for the Cosmetics Industry
The regulatory initiatives planned for November 2026 may significantly impact cosmetic manufacturers, brand owners, and regulatory compliance teams operating in or exporting to the U.S. market.
Companies are encouraged to begin reviewing:
- Formulations containing formaldehyde or formaldehyde-releasing substances
- Fragrance ingredients
- Cosmetic product labels
- Raw material portfolios
To prepare for potential regulatory changes and future compliance obligations.
The publication of the proposed rules will initiate a public consultation process, after which FDA will determine the scope and implementation timeline of the final regulations.