The UK cosmetics regulations were first introduced in 1978 and have undergone multiple revisions, including the latest amendments following Brexit in 2021. The current version of the regulations is based on the EU Cosmetics Regulation (EC) No. 1223/2009, with additional UK-specific requirements. Businesses operating in the cosmetics sector in the UK (England, Scotland, and Wales) must comply with the relevant regulations.
This article summarizes the latest developments in UK cosmetics regulations in 2024, as well as the scientific advice issued by the UK Scientific Advisory Group on Chemical Safety of Non-Food and Non-Medicinal Consumer Products (SAG-CS). The aim is to help businesses stay informed about the latest regulatory changes, ensure compliance, and successfully enter the UK market.
(I) Latest Developments in UK Cosmetics Regulations in 2024
In 2024, updates to UK cosmetics regulations involve restrictions on the use of specific substances.
Butylated Hydroxytoluene (BHT)
The Cosmetic Products (Restriction of Chemical Substances) Regulations 2024 (2024 No. 455) impose restrictions on the use of Butylated Hydroxytoluene (BHT). These regulations take effect 21 days after their enactment. However, products that were placed on the market before February 24, 2025, may continue to be sold until June 24, 2025.
|
Serial No. |
Ingredient Name |
Product Type |
Maximum Allowable Concentration |
|
322 |
Butylated Hydroxytoluene (BHT) |
(a) Toothpaste (b) Mouthwash (c) Leave-on oral care products (d) Other leave-on and rinse-off products |
(a) 0.1% (b) 0.001% (c) 0.001% (d) 0.8% |
64 CMR Substances and Kojic Acid
The Cosmetic Products (Restriction of Chemical Substances) (No. 2) Regulations 2024 (2024 No. 1334) came into effect on January 31, 2025. This regulation introduces a three-phase ban on 64 Carcinogenic, Mutagenic, or Reprotoxic (CMR) substances and imposes restrictions on the use of Kojic acid. Kojic acid is only permitted for use in facial and hand products, with a maximum safe concentration of 1%.
(II) Scientific Advice from the UK Scientific Advisory Group on Chemical Safety of Non-Food and Non-Medicinal Consumer Products (SAG-CS)
Scientific Advisory Group on Chemical Safety of Non-Food and Non-Medicinal Consumer Products (SAG-CS)
The Scientific Advisory Group on Chemical Safety of Non-Food and Non-Medicinal Consumer Products (SAG-CS) is an independent scientific advisory body responsible for assessing the safety of chemical substances in non-food and non-medicinal consumer products. It provides scientific advice and risk assessments in the fields of public health and consumer safety to the Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS).
The scope of SAG-CS's work includes:
- Cosmetics and their ingredients, such as nanomaterials, hair dyes, preservatives, UV filters, colorants, and fragrance ingredients.
- Other non-food and non-medicinal consumer products, such as toys and textiles.
The recommendations provided by SAG-CS contribute to policy development, ensuring consumer health and safety while also promoting industry compliance.
Scientific Advice Issued by SAG-CS in 2024
SAG-CS planned five meetings in 2024 – in February, April, July, September, and November. As of now, SAG-CS has issued a total of 15 scientific advice documents, 11 of which are related to cosmetics.
Among them, Opinions 13, 14, and 15 were published in 2024. For details on the opinion titles, publication dates, and assessment conclusions, please refer to the table below.
|
Opinion Titles |
Publication Date |
Assessment Conclusion |
|
Opinion 13: |
October, 2024 |
SAG-CS considers Dihydroxyacetone to be safe for use in adult products at the following maximum concentrations:
|
|
Opinion 14: |
October, 2024 |
SAG-CS considers Benzophenone-3 to be safe for use as a UV filter at the following maximum concentrations:
|
|
Opinion 15: |
October, 2024 |
SAG-CS considers Octocrylene to be safe for use as a UV filter individually or in combination up to a maximum concentration of 10%. |
About CIRS
The CIRS cosmetic team is dedicated to ensuring that cosmetic products meet stringent global regulatory standards. It can provide one-stop services covering the whole life-cycle of a personal care product, which includes cosmetic ingredient development, physical/chemical tests, toxicological tests (in vivo & in vitro), efficacy studies (in vivo & in vitro), ingredient registration, and product registration.
Our Global Compliance Services cover:
[Regulatory Compliance Services]
- China: Compliance Consulting for Cosmetics and Ingredients;
- Global: Compliance Consulting for Cosmetics (EU, UK, US, Japan, South Korea, Australia & New Zealand, ASEAN, Middle East, Mexico, Brazil, and Africa); and
- China and Global Compliance Consulting for Disinfectants and Household Products.
[Data Services]
- China: Cosmetics and Ingredients Data Services (China CosIng); and
- Global: Cosmetics and Ingredients Data Services covering China, EU, UK, North America, ASEAN, Japan, and South Korea (Global CosIng).
[Product Testing Services]
- Cosmetic Safety and Human Efficacy Testing;
- Toxicological Safety Assessment for Cosmetic Ingredients; and
- In Vitro Efficacy Testing for Cosmetics and Ingredients.
If you need any assistance or have any questions, please get in touch with us via service@cirs-group.com.