Developments under the UK Cosmetics Regulation as the GB and EU rulebooks diverge: annex amendments, labelling requirements and SCPN changes.
Last updated: 20 August 2026
GB
GB bans TPO and further CMR substances; Hexyl Salicylate restricted
In Great Britain, the second wave of the 2026 amendments (SI 2026/23 together with SI 2026/109) applies from 15 August 2026, prohibiting the placing on the market of products containing Trimethylbenzoyl Diphenylphosphine Oxide (TPO), the photoinitiator used in some gel nail systems, alongside further CMR substances, and introducing concentration limits by product type for Hexyl Salicylate. Products placed on the market before the deadline may generally continue to be made available until mid-February 2027, with some CMR prohibitions applying later in 2027. GB now regulates TPO and Hexyl Salicylate on its own timetable, so dual-market brands should have the GB and EU annex positions checked in the same assessment; Northern Ireland continues to follow the EU regime.
GB amendment SI 2026/23 applies: 4-MBC banned, formaldehyde-releaser threshold lowered
In Great Britain, the first wave of the 2026 amendment to the UK Cosmetics Regulation (SI 2026/23) applies from 15 July 2026, prohibiting the UV filter 4-Methylbenzylidene Camphor, restricting sixteen further CMR substances, and lowering the labelling threshold for formaldehyde-releasing preservatives. The lowered threshold of 0.001% applies with the revised warning wording, releases formaldehyde, and products placed on the market before the date may remain available until mid-January 2027. The GB annexes now diverge from the EU annexes in substance rather than administration: a formulation compliant on one side of the divergence is no longer automatically compliant on the other. Dual-market brands should have both annex positions checked in the same assessment, and Northern Ireland continues to follow the EU regime under the Windsor Framework.
UK Responsible Person details now required on GB labels
In Great Britain, cosmetic products placed on the market must now carry the UK Responsible Person’s name and address on the label, ending the post-Brexit easement that allowed an EU address to remain on GB packs. Artwork that still shows only an EU Responsible Person needs updating for GB stock, and brands selling across the whole UK should note that Northern Ireland packs continue to carry EU Responsible Person details under the EU regime. Where we act as your UK Responsible Person, our details appear on your GB labels; label reviews against Article 19 are available as a standalone engagement.
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