The ASEAN Cosmetic Directive (ACD) is a regional agreement aimed at harmonising cosmetic product requirements to reduce technical trade barriers among ASEAN member states. There are five lists specify prohibited, restricted, and permitted ingredients used in cosmetic products in the Annexes of the ACD.
- Annex II Part 1: List of substances which must not form part of the composition of cosmetic products
- Annex III Part 1: List of substances which cosmetic products must not contain except subject to restrictions and conditions laid down
- Annex IV Part I: List of colouring agents allowed for use in cosmetic products
- Annex VI: List of preservatives allowed
- Annex VII: List of permitted UV filters which cosmetic products may contain
The ASEAN Cosmetic Committee (ACC) and the ASEAN Cosmetic Scientific Body (ACSB) meet twice a year to review regulations, including updates to the ACD annexes. The recent meeting was hold on December, 2025 and the latest revisions to Annexes II, III, and VII were updated on December 12, 2025.
Updates to Annexes II
Note: The entries highlighted in yellow indicate the latest updates.
Firstly, the substance of No. 1388 is revised to add the new CAS number “293-51-6".
| Substances | CAS Number | Ref. No |
| Octamethylcyclotetrasiloxane; D4 | 556-67-2 / 293-51-6 | 1388 |
Secondly, amendments are made to Items No. 1539, 1540, 1541, and 1542, specifically revising the expression of prohibited thresholds for hazardous impurities. The original phrasing of "equal to (=) a specific concentration" is standardized to 'greater than or equal to (≥) the corresponding concentration'." Also, for Items 1605, 1606 and 1607, greater than or equal to (≥) are revised.
| Substances | Ref. No |
| Petroleum, coal, tar and natural gas and their derivatives generated using distillation and/or other processing methods if they contain =≥ 0,1 % w/w benzene | 1539 |
| Petroleum, coal, tar and natural gas and their derivatives generated using distillation and/or other processing methods if they contain =≥ 0,005% w/w benzo[a]pyrene | 1540 |
|
Petroleum, coal, tar and natural gas and their derivatives generated using distillation and/or other processing methods if they contain =≥ 0,1 % w/w benzene or if they contain = 0,005 %w/w benzo[a]pyrene |
1541 |
| Petroleum, coal, tar and natural gas and their derivatives generated using distillation and/or other processing methods if they contain =≥ 0,1% w/w 1,3-butadiee | 1542 |
|
N,N'-Methylenedimorpholine; N,N'-methylenebismorpholine; [formaldehyde released from N,N'-Methylenebismorpholine]; [MBM] if the maximum theoretical concentration of releasable formaldehyde, irrespective of the source, in the mixture as placed on the market is ≥ 0.1 % w/w |
1605 |
|
Reaction products of paraformaldehyde with 2-hydroxypropylamine (3:2); [formaldehyde released from 3,3'-methylenebis[5–methyloxazolidine]; [formaldehyde released from oxazolidin]; [MBO] if the maximum theoretical concentration of releasable formaldehyde, irrespective of the source, in the mixture as placed on the market is ≥ 0.1 % w/w |
1606 |
|
Reaction products of paraformaldehyde with 2-hydroxypropylamine (1:1)); [formaldehyde released froma,a,atrimethyl-1,3,5-triazine-1,3,5(2H,4H,6H)-triethanol]; [HPT] if the maximum theoretical concentration of releasable formaldehyde, irrespective of the source, in the mixture as placed on the market is ≥ 0.1 % w/w |
1607 |
Thirdly, revises Item No. 1721 by removing the exemption clause “Except Cambodia”. Additionally, two new prohibited substances are introduced: Item No. 1723 and Item No. 1724.
| Substances | CAS Number | Ref. No |
|
2-ethyl-2-[[(1-oxoallyl)oxy]methyl]-1,3-propanediyl diacrylate; 2,2-bis(acryloyloxymethyl)butyl acrylate; trimethylolpropane triacrylate Except Cambodia |
15625-89-5 | 1721 |
|
4-Methylbenzylidene Camphor; 3-(4'-methylbenzylidene)-camphor |
36861-47-9 / 38102-62-4 | 1723 |
| Miconazole [1]; Miconazole Nitrate [2] | 22916-47-8[1]; 22832-87-7[2] | 1724 |
Updates to Annexes III
Two new restricted substances are introduced: Item No. 343 and Item No. 344.
Note: The entries highlighted in yellow indicate the latest updates.
| Ref No ACD # (EU #) |
Substance/CAS No | Restrictions | Conditions of use and warning which must be printed on the labels | ||
| Field of application and/or use | Maximum authorised concentration in the ready for use preparation | Other limitations and requirements | |||
| A | B | C | D | E | F |
| 343 (373) |
Genisteol; 4',5,7-Trihydroxyisoflavone; 5,7-dihydroxy-3-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-4- benzopyrone; Genistein Except Indonesia |
0.007 % | |||
| 344 (374) |
Daidzeol; 4',7-Dihydroxyisoflavone; 7- hydroxy-3-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-4- benzopyrone; Daidzein |
0.02% | |||
Updates to Annexes VII
Item No. 18, 4-Methylbenzylidene Camphor, is removed from the list.
Note: The entries highlighted in yellow indicate the latest updates.
| Reference number | Substance | Maximum authorised concemtration | Other limitations and requirements | Conditions of use and warnings which must be printed on the label |
| a | b | c | d | e |
| 18 |
3-(4’-Methylbenzylidene)-dl-camphor (4-Methylbenzylidene Camphor) |
4% |
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