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EU cosmetics ingredient rules: every change from 2024 to 2028

Reviewed by our formulation chemist team. Updated October 2026.

One row per legal act, with the ingredient, the new limit or warning, the two deadlines that matter and what your brand has to do, checked against the Official Journal texts as of October 2026.

Not legal adviceThis tracker summarizes the published EU texts to help you plan. Your EU Responsible Person and safety assessor decide whether a specific formula complies; check the consolidated text on EUR-Lex before you rely on any date.

Short answer

Acts published from 2022 to October 2026 set skincare ingredient deadlines that fall between 2024 and 2028: vitamin A is capped at 0.3% retinol equivalent (0.05% in body lotion) with a warning, alpha-arbutin, arbutin and kojic acid are limited to named product types, about 80 fragrance allergens must be named on labels, newly classified CMR substances such as TPO and silver are banned, and benzyl salicylate, citral and others get new limits. Each act has a date after which non-compliant products can no longer be placed on the market and, usually, a later date after which they can no longer be sold at all. The microplastics restriction hits rinse-off products on 17 October 2027 and leave-on products on 17 October 2029. Great Britain has copied some of these changes on different dates and skipped others.

How to read the dates

The EU Cosmetics Regulation, Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009, keeps its ingredient rules in annexes. The Commission changes them with short amending regulations, one act at a time. Our EU cosmetics regulation guide explains the whole system (Responsible Person, CPSR, PIF, CPNP). This page is the dated change list that guide points to.

Five annexes matter for skincare:

Annex II: prohibited substances. If an ingredient is here, it cannot be in the product at all (traces that are technically unavoidable aside, and only if the product stays safe).
Annex III: restricted substances. Allowed only in the listed product types, up to the maximum concentration, with any warning text printed on the label.
Annex IV: allowed colorants. Annex V: allowed preservatives. Annex VI: allowed UV filters. Only substances on these lists may be used for those purposes.

Most acts give two dates. They mean different things:

Term in the act	What it means in practice	Who it hits
Placing on the market	The first time a unit is made available in the EU. For skincare made in Korea, that is when your Responsible Person or importer first supplies it in the EU, not the production date.	The brand and its Responsible Person: no new non-compliant units after this date
Making available on the market	Any supply in the course of business: a distributor selling to a shop, a shop selling to a consumer, an online sale.	Everyone in the chain: after this date, old stock must come off shelves and listings
Applies from (one date only)	No sell-through period. From this date nobody may place or sell a non-compliant product.	Everyone at once

ExampleA Korean brand produced 3,000 units of a 0.5% retinol serum in August 2025 and shipped them by sea. If the units were first supplied in the EU on 15 October 2025, they were placed on the market before the 1 November 2025 deadline and can be sold until 1 May 2027. If the same cartons cleared customs and were first supplied on 10 November 2025, they could not be placed at all, even though they were made earlier.

The microplastics restriction is different because it sits under REACH, the EU chemicals regulation, not the Cosmetics Regulation. Under REACH, "placing on the market" covers every supply to a third party, so there is no separate sell-through period: stock still in the supply chain on the deadline cannot be supplied. Ask your Responsible Person how they read this for your stock.

The tracker: every change, 2024 to 2028

Rows are in date order of the first deadline. "Placing" is the last day you may place a non-compliant product, expressed as the date from which it is no longer allowed. "Sell-through" is the date from which non-compliant stock can no longer be made available. The GB column says whether Great Britain adopted the same change, from the statutory instruments listed in our UK cosmetics regulation guide and the legislation.gov.uk feed as of 27 October 2026.

Act	What changed	No placing from	No making available from	What a brand must do	GB (UK)
Reg. (EU) 2022/2195 (for reference)	Homosalate (UV filter): only face products, except propellant sprays, up to 7.34%. HAA299 (Bis-(Diethylaminohydroxybenzoyl Benzoyl) Piperazine), including a nano form, added as an allowed UV filter up to 10% combined	1 January 2025 (homosalate)	1 July 2025 (homosalate)	Sunscreens and SPF body products may no longer use homosalate in the EU; face products stay at 7.34% or less	HAA299 permitted by SI 2023/836; check homosalate with your UK assessor
Reg. (EU) 2023/1545	About 80 fragrance allergens, including some essential oils and extracts, must be named in the ingredient list above 0.001% (leave-on) or 0.01% (rinse-off); some entries also get maximum limits	31 July 2026	31 July 2028	Get an allergen declaration for each fragrance under the new list, recalculate, update the label, CPSR and PIF	Not adopted; GB uses the original list
Reg. (EU) 2024/858	Nano forms banned: styrene/acrylates copolymer and sodium styrene/acrylates copolymer, copper and colloidal copper, colloidal silver, gold and colloidal gold (and two gold complexes), platinum and colloidal platinum (and one peptide complex). Hydroxyapatite (nano) only in toothpaste (10%) and mouthwash (0.465%)	1 February 2025	1 November 2025	Remove any "(nano)" metal or copolymer listed; ask suppliers for particle size data on gold, platinum and copper ingredients	No matching GB instrument found; check
Reg. (EU) 2024/996	Genistein max 0.007%; daidzein max 0.02%; kojic acid only in face and hand products, max 1%; alpha-arbutin only face cream (2%) and body lotion (0.5%); arbutin only face cream (7%); hydroquinone traces as low as possible	1 February 2025	1 November 2025	Check soy extracts for isoflavone content; move kojic acid out of body products; document whether your serum counts as a "face cream" (see below)	Kojic acid 1% adopted (SI 2024/1334); the others not adopted
Reg. (EU) 2024/996	4-Methylbenzylidene camphor (4-MBC) moved to Annex II (prohibited) and deleted from the UV filter list	1 May 2025	1 May 2026	Reformulate any sunscreen with 4-MBC; old stock is already past its EU sell-through date	Adopted (SI 2026/23): from 15 July 2026, stock until 14 January 2027
Reg. (EU) 2024/996	Triclosan (0.3%, only toothpaste, hand soap, body soap or shower gel, non-spray deodorant, face powder and blemish concealer, nail cleaning products) and triclocarban (0.2%, not in mouthwash) restricted further	After 31 December 2024	After 31 October 2025	Do not use either in leave-on skincare	No matching GB instrument found; check
Reg. (EU) 2025/877 (Omnibus VII)	21 newly classified CMR substances added to Annex II, including TPO (trimethylbenzoyl diphenylphosphine oxide, used in gel nail products), tetrabromobisphenol A, bisphenol AF, N,N-dimethyl-p-toluidine and 4-methylimidazole; TPO removed from Annex III	1 September 2025, one date, no sell-through		Screen raw materials and nail lines; nothing left in stock can be sold	TPO and TBBPA adopted (SI 2026/23): from 15 August 2026, stock until 14 February 2027
Implementing Decision (EU) 2025/1175	New glossary of common ingredient names for EU labels, replacing Decision (EU) 2022/677; optional from 30 July 2025	Applies from 30 July 2026		Check ingredient names on new artwork against the new glossary	Not applicable in GB; check GB naming with your assessor
Reg. (EU) 2026/78 (Omnibus VIII)	Newly classified CMRs prohibited (15 new Annex II entries such as acetone oxime, trimethyl borate and S-metolachlor); perborates merged into one entry; silver (nano) and silver (massive) prohibited, micron-sized silver powder allowed only as colorant CI 77820 and in oral care under conditions; hexyl salicylate restricted (2% hydroalcoholic fragrance, 0.5% rinse-off, 0.3% leave-on, lower for children's products); o-phenylphenol entry revised and sodium o-phenylphenate allowed as a preservative	1 May 2026, one date, no sell-through		Check fragrances for hexyl salicylate; check "silver" ingredients for particle size; replace banned CMRs	Hexyl salicylate adopted (SI 2026/109) from 15 August 2026, stock until 14 February 2027; further CMRs including silver from 23 March 2027, stock until 22 September 2027
Reg. (EU) 2026/909	New limits: benzyl salicylate (for example 0.5% leave-on skin products, 0.7% body lotion), citral (0.15% in most leave-on skin products), acetylated vetiver oil, aluminium-containing ingredients, water-soluble zinc salts in oral care; triphenyl phosphate prohibited; DnHexP impurity in the UV filter DHHB capped at 10 ppm; hair dye and preservative changes (ammonium silver zinc aluminium silicate allowed) apply at once	1 January 2027 (hair dye and preservative changes applied from 18 May 2026)	1 July 2028 (1 August 2028 for the geranial and neral entries)	Ask your fragrance supplier for benzyl salicylate and citral levels; check sunscreens with DHHB for the impurity certificate	Not adopted as of October 2026
Reg. (EU) 2023/2055 (REACH)	Intentionally added microplastics: rinse-off products (cleansers, wash-off masks, shampoos)	17 October 2027 (REACH: no separate sell-through)		Ask for a polymer review of film formers, powders and texturizers now	Does not apply; GB has its own 2018 rinse-off microbead ban
Reg. (EU) 2023/2055 (REACH)	Microplastics: leave-on products (serums, creams, lotions) and fragrance encapsulation	17 October 2029		Plan the reformulation into your 2028 reorders	Does not apply
Reg. (EU) 2023/2055 (REACH)	Microplastics: lip, nail and make-up products; statement "This product contains microplastics." required from 17 October 2031	17 October 2035		Lip products: plan the label statement from 2031	Does not apply

Microbeads used to exfoliate, polish or clean have been banned in the EU since the microplastics restriction took effect on 17 October 2023, so they are not in the table.

Vitamin A, arbutin, kojic acid and soy isoflavones

Regulation (EU) 2024/996 is the change most K-beauty brands feel, because retinol, alpha-arbutin and kojic acid are common in brightening and anti-aging products.

Vitamin A: 0.3% retinol equivalent and a warning

The entry covers three INCI names: Retinol, Retinyl Acetate and Retinyl Palmitate. The limits are expressed as retinol equivalent (RE): 0.05% RE in body lotion and 0.3% RE in other leave-on and rinse-off products. Every product with any of the three must carry the warning "Contains Vitamin A. Consider your daily intake before use", whatever the concentration.

Esters weigh more than retinol, so your safety assessor converts them by molecular weight. Retinyl palmitate counts at roughly 0.55 of its weight and retinyl acetate at roughly 0.87. A serum with 0.5% retinyl palmitate is about 0.27% RE, under the limit; a serum with 0.5% retinol is over it.

Retinal (retinaldehyde) and hydroxypinacolone retinoate are not named in this entry. That does not make them limit-free: your assessor still has to justify the level in the CPSR. Our retinol vs retinal guide compares the two.

Alpha-arbutin and arbutin: named product types only

Alpha-arbutin is allowed up to 2% in face cream and 0.5% in body lotion. Arbutin (beta-arbutin) is allowed up to 7% in face cream. Hydroquinone, which arbutin can release, must stay at the unavoidable trace level.

Annex III restrictions apply per product type. The entry names face cream and body lotion only, so a toner, essence or serum with alpha-arbutin is a gray area: many assessors read the entry as limiting use to those product types, and some treat a leave-on facial serum as within "face cream". Get your assessor's position in writing before you place a 2% alpha-arbutin serum on the EU market. Our brightening actives guide covers alternatives such as niacinamide and tranexamic acid.

Kojic acid, genistein and daidzein

Kojic acid: only in face and hand products, up to 1%. A kojic acid body lotion or body soap cannot be placed on the EU market.
Genistein (0.007%) and daidzein (0.02%): these isoflavones come mainly from soy and some plant extracts. Ask your supplier for the isoflavone content of any soy-derived extract, because the limit applies to the finished product.

ExampleA 30 mL night serum sold in Germany has 1% retinol and 2% alpha-arbutin. To stay on sale after the deadlines, the brand cuts retinol to 0.3% (or switches to 0.5% retinyl palmitate, about 0.27% RE), adds the vitamin A warning, and either confirms with its assessor that the serum counts as a face cream or replaces alpha-arbutin with niacinamide. New labels go on every unit placed from 1 November 2025.

CMR omnibus acts: TPO, silver, hexyl salicylate

CMR means carcinogenic, mutagenic or toxic for reproduction. When the EU chemicals classification rules (the CLP Regulation) classify a substance as CMR, Article 15 of the Cosmetics Regulation bans it in cosmetics unless an exemption is granted after a safety review. The Commission groups these bans into "omnibus" acts, usually with a single application date and no sell-through.

Omnibus VII, Regulation (EU) 2025/877 (applies 1 September 2025): 21 new Annex II entries. The best known is TPO, a photoinitiator in gel nail polish. Most others are industrial chemicals, pesticides and flame retardants that rarely appear in skincare, but they can turn up as impurities, so your assessor checks raw material specifications.
Omnibus VIII, Regulation (EU) 2026/78 (applies 1 May 2026): newly classified CMRs banned; silver in nano and massive form banned, with micron-sized silver powder kept only as a white colorant in lip products and eye shadow and in toothpaste and mouthwash; hexyl salicylate, a fragrance ingredient, moved to Annex III with limits; o-phenylphenol kept as a preservative with sodium o-phenylphenate added.

Hexyl salicylate matters for scented skincare. In a leave-on cream or serum it is limited to 0.3%; in rinse-off products to 0.5%. The fragrance house can tell you the level in your fragrance oil; multiply by the fragrance dose to get the level in the product.

Regulation (EU) 2026/909: benzyl salicylate, citral and more

Published on 28 April 2026, this act is newer than most trackers. It sets limits based on recent opinions of the SCCS (the EU's Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety). Non-compliant products cannot be placed on the market from 1 January 2027 and cannot be made available from 1 July 2028. The hair dye and preservative changes applied from entry into force, 18 May 2026.

Ingredient	Skincare limits (selected)	Where you find it
Benzyl Salicylate	0.5% leave-on skin and hair products (non-spray), 0.7% body lotion, 0.5% rinse-off, 1.3% shower gel, 0.2% face make-up and make-up remover, 4% fragrance products; still labeled as an allergen above 0.001% or 0.01%	Floral fragrances, some sunscreens
Citral (geranial and neral)	0.15% most leave-on skin products, 1.2% rinse-off and hair leave-on, 0.65% eye products and face make-up, 0.063% baby and intimate wipes; labeled as "Citral" above the allergen thresholds	Lemongrass, lemon and citrus scents, some essential oils
Acetylated vetiver oil	0.1% leave-on, 0.2% rinse-off, 0.05% make-up	Woody fragrances
Aluminium-containing ingredients	Limits by product type, for example 0.89% (as Al) in body and face rinse-off products	Some powders, clays, antiperspirants
Triphenyl Phosphate	Prohibited (Annex II)	Some nail products and plasticizers
DHHB (Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate)	UV filter stays at 10%; the impurity di-n-hexyl phthalate must not exceed 10 ppm	Sunscreens

The full act also covers water-soluble zinc salts in oral care, ammonium silver zinc aluminium silicate as a preservative in deodorant spray and powder foundation, and four hair dyes. Read the Official Journal text for every product type and condition.

Fragrance allergens: Regulation (EU) 2023/1545

Fragrance allergens are fragrance substances known to cause contact allergy. For years the EU required a short list of them, widely known as the 26 allergens, to be named on the label above a threshold. Regulation (EU) 2023/1545 raises that to about 80 entries, several of them groups or natural materials (for example lavender, peppermint, rose, ylang-ylang, bitter orange, eucalyptus and sandalwood oils and extracts). Some entries also gain maximum limits.

Threshold: name the allergen in the ingredient list when its concentration in the finished product exceeds 0.001% in leave-on products or 0.01% in rinse-off products.
Placing deadline: products that do not comply cannot be placed on the market from 31 July 2026.
Sell-through: they cannot be made available from 31 July 2028. Ireland's regulator, the HPRA, adds that the PIF and CPSR must be updated as well.

ExampleA leave-on cream uses 0.5% fragrance oil, and the supplier's allergen declaration shows 3% limonene in the oil. The level in the cream is 0.5% x 3% = 0.015%, above 0.001%, so "Limonene" must appear in the ingredient list. The same oil at 0.02% would give 0.0006%, below the threshold.

Natural does not mean exempt: an essential oil blend often contains several listed allergens. If you want a short label, a fragrance-free formula is the simplest route; see our fragrance-free and sensitive skin guide. Canada adopted the same expanded list with its own dates, so one compliant ingredient list can serve both markets (our Canada guide has the dates).

Nanomaterials and Regulation (EU) 2024/858

A nanomaterial in the Cosmetics Regulation is an insoluble or biopersistent, intentionally made material with one or more external dimensions, or an internal structure, of 1 to 100 nm. Article 16 sets three rules:

Notify 6 months ahead
A product with a nanomaterial must be notified in the CPNP nano module 6 months before it is placed on the market, unless the nanomaterial is a colorant, preservative or UV filter already listed in Annexes IV to VI, or it complies with an Annex III entry.
Declare it in the normal CPNP notification
Every nanomaterial is also listed in the standard notification.
Label it
The ingredient name is followed by "(nano)", for example "Titanium Dioxide (nano)" or "Zinc Oxide (nano)".

Regulation (EU) 2024/858 shows what happens after an SCCS review: nano gold, platinum, copper, colloidal silver and two styrene/acrylates copolymers were banned. Mineral sunscreens with nano zinc oxide or titanium dioxide remain allowed under their Annex VI conditions, labeled "(nano)". HAA299 nano was added as an allowed UV filter by Regulation (EU) 2022/2195. Ask your manufacturer whether any raw material is supplied in nano form, especially pigments, UV filters and "gold" ingredients.

Microplastics: Regulation (EU) 2023/2055

The restriction covers synthetic polymer microparticles: solid polymers under 5 mm that are not soluble or degradable under the test rules. Many film formers and texture powders used in skincare can fall inside the definition depending on their form, for example some acrylates copolymers, nylon powders, polyethylene and polymethyl methacrylate.

Product type (as defined in the Cosmetics Regulation)	Ban on placing on the market from
Microbeads (to exfoliate, polish or clean), any product	17 October 2023
Rinse-off products: cleansers, wash-off masks, scrubs without microbeads, shampoos	17 October 2027
Fragrance encapsulation	17 October 2029
Leave-on products: serums, creams, lotions, sunscreens	17 October 2029
Lip, nail and make-up products	17 October 2035 (statement "This product contains microplastics." from 17 October 2031)

Ask your chemist for a polymer review that lists each polymer, its physical form and whether it meets the definition. A reformulated cleanser needs new stability data, which takes months, so start well before 2027.

UK divergence: what Great Britain adopted

Since 2021 Great Britain (England, Scotland and Wales) amends its own copy of the Cosmetics Regulation through statutory instruments, after advice from the Scientific Advisory Group on Chemical Safety (SAG-CS). Northern Ireland follows the EU rules under the Windsor Framework. As of 27 October 2026:

EU change	GB status	GB dates
Vitamin A 0.3% / 0.05% RE and warning	Not adopted	None
Alpha-arbutin, arbutin, genistein, daidzein	Not adopted	None
Kojic acid 1% face and hand	Adopted, SI 2024/1334	In force 31 January 2025, with sell-through dates in 2025
4-MBC ban	Adopted, SI 2026/23	15 July 2026; stock until 14 January 2027
Omnibus VII CMRs incl. TPO	Adopted, SI 2026/23	15 August 2026; stock until 14 February 2027
Hexyl salicylate limits	Adopted, SI 2026/109	15 August 2026; stock until 14 February 2027
Omnibus VIII CMRs incl. silver	Adopted, SI 2026/109	23 March 2027; stock until 22 September 2027
Expanded fragrance allergen list	Not adopted	GB uses the original list
Regulation (EU) 2026/909 limits	Not adopted	None yet
Microplastics (REACH)	Not applicable	GB has its own UK REACH and a 2018 rinse-off microbead ban

The practical answer for a brand selling in both markets is one formula that meets the stricter EU limits, and a label that lists the expanded allergens: that label is also lawful in GB. Our UK guide lists every GB instrument with its dates.

Expected next (not yet law)

These items are reported or proposed. None was in the Official Journal when we checked the EU Publications Office database on 27 October 2026 (its latest cosmetics act was Regulation (EU) 2026/909).

Omnibus IX (further CMR bans): reported as notified to the WTO in July 2026 and expected to apply from early 2027. Wait for the final text before you change a formula, but ask your assessor to screen against the draft list.
Chemicals simplification omnibus: the Commission's proposal COM(2025) 531 of 8 July 2025 amends the CLP, Cosmetics and Fertilising Products Regulations. A provisional agreement was reported in June 2026, including longer phase-out periods for newly banned CMRs (reported as 6 months for placing and 12 months for making available). It still needs formal adoption and publication.
Harmonized packaging labels: under the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation, sorting labels become mandatory from 12 August 2028 or 24 months after the implementing act, whichever is later. See our EU GPSR and packaging rules guide.
More SCCS opinions: the SCCS publishes opinions on ingredients months or years before the Commission acts. An opinion on an ingredient you use is an early warning, not a rule.

How to check your formula against the tracker

CosIng is the European Commission's free cosmetic ingredient database. It shows, for each INCI name, the annex and entry number, the function and the restrictions. It is a reference tool: the legal text is the Official Journal, so confirm anything important there.

Get the full INCI list and fragrance declarations
Ask your manufacturer for the full ingredient list in INCI names and, for every fragrance, an allergen declaration under the new list. With KoreanOEM you receive the full INCI list after the NDA is signed; the exact percentages go to the safety assessor who writes your CPSR.
Search each INCI name in CosIng
Open CosIng, choose "Ingredients and substances", type the INCI name and open the record. Note the "Annex/Ref" field (for example "III/376" for retinol) and any "Restriction" text. Do this for every ingredient, including minor ones such as preservatives, pH adjusters and plant extracts.
Compare with the annexes and this tracker
Annex II: remove it. Annex III: check the product type, the maximum concentration and the warning wording. Annexes IV to VI: check the ingredient is used only for its listed purpose. Then check the tracker rows above for changes CosIng may not show yet.
Calculate levels in the finished product
For ingredients inside a blend (fragrance, extract, premix), multiply the blend's dose by the ingredient's share of the blend. Convert retinyl esters to retinol equivalent.
Check particle size and polymers
Ask whether any raw material is a nanomaterial and whether any polymer could be a synthetic polymer microparticle. Record the supplier's statement.
Check the label
The vitamin A warning, every allergen above the threshold, "(nano)" after nano ingredients, and ingredient names from the glossary that applies from 30 July 2026. Our label requirements guide and label proof check cover the rest of the label.
Map your stock to the dates
List which batches will be first supplied in the EU before each placing deadline, and when the sell-through date ends. Tell distributors and marketplaces in writing.
Update the PIF and CPSR
Your Responsible Person files the assessor's updated CPSR, the new label and the supplier statements in the PIF, and updates the CPNP notification if the formula or label changes.

Common mistakes

Reading the production date as the placing date. For imported products, the date that counts is the first supply in the EU.
Converting retinyl palmitate one to one with retinol, or forgetting the vitamin A warning on low-dose products.
Assuming an alpha-arbutin toner or serum is fine because the face cream limit is 2%, without the assessor's written position.
Relying on a fragrance supplier's old declaration that covers only the original 26 allergens.
Treating "natural" essential oils as allergen-free.
Expecting a sell-through period for CMR bans. Omnibus VII and VIII applied on one date.
Assuming GB copies the EU. Vitamin A, arbutin and the allergen list differ, and GB adopts some bans a year later.
Waiting for 2027 to review polymers in a cleanser, when a reformulation needs new stability data first.

Checklist

Full INCI list for every SKU, under NDA
Allergen declaration for every fragrance under Regulation (EU) 2023/1545
Every INCI checked in CosIng, annex entry noted
Retinol, retinyl acetate and retinyl palmitate converted to RE; vitamin A warning on the label
Alpha-arbutin, arbutin and kojic acid product types confirmed with the assessor
Soy and isoflavone extracts checked for genistein and daidzein
No Annex II substances from Omnibus VII or VIII, including TPO and nano or massive silver
Benzyl salicylate, citral and hexyl salicylate levels confirmed for 2027
Nano ingredients identified, labeled "(nano)" and notified where required
Polymer review for microplastics done, with a reformulation plan for 2027 and 2029
Stock mapped to placing and sell-through dates; distributors told in writing
GB version checked against the UK instruments if you sell there
CPSR, PIF and CPNP notification updated after any change

How KoreanOEM helps

KoreanOEM is a Korean skincare OEM and private label manufacturer: our formulation chemists in Busan develop your formula and we produce it in Korea at an ISO 22716 (cosmetics GMP) facility. For the EU, that means the formula is built to the current annexes from the first sample, not fixed after the fact.

EU-ready library formulas: more than 160 ready formulas in our formula library, with no development fee. Ready library formulas start at 500 units for serums, creams and ampoules. First orders below 500 units are possible when you share your growth plan (expected volumes for the next orders), reviewed case by case.
Reformulating for new limits: an adjusted library formula is USD 399 per SKU, including first lab samples and 3 revision rounds, credited in full against the first production order.
EU documents through our partner: CPSR and PIF USD 1,250 per formula (UK notification included), CPNP notification USD 420 per product, Responsible Person USD 335 per product per year for the UK and EU. See all fees.
Label proof check: before printing we check the ingredient list, allergens, the vitamin A warning and the Responsible Person details against EU rules, free on orders where we print the labels.

Best price, best cost and the lowest minimum order you cannot find anywhere else. We believe in our customers' vision rather than our own profit, so even if we lose money at the beginning, we still support you.

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Frequently asked questions

What is the EU limit for retinol in cosmetics?

Under Regulation (EU) 2024/996, retinol, retinyl acetate and retinyl palmitate are limited to 0.3% retinol equivalent in face and other products and 0.05% in body lotion, and every product with them must say "Contains Vitamin A. Consider your daily intake before use". Non-compliant products could not be placed on the EU market from 1 November 2025 and cannot be sold at all from 1 May 2027.

What changed for vitamin A, arbutin, kojic acid and CMR substances?

Regulation (EU) 2024/996 capped vitamin A, limited alpha-arbutin to face cream (2%) and body lotion (0.5%), arbutin to face cream (7%) and kojic acid to face and hand products (1%). CMR substances such as TPO were banned by Regulation (EU) 2025/877 from 1 September 2025, and more, including nano and massive silver, by Regulation (EU) 2026/78 from 1 May 2026, both with no sell-through period.

When do the 80+ fragrance allergen labels apply?

Under Regulation (EU) 2023/1545, products placed on the EU market from 31 July 2026 must name each of about 80 allergens above 0.001% in leave-on or 0.01% in rinse-off products. Products placed before that date can stay on sale until 31 July 2028, after which every unit on the market must comply.

What limits apply to tranexamic acid, arbutin and kojic acid by market?

In the EU, alpha-arbutin, arbutin and kojic acid have the limits of Regulation (EU) 2024/996, while tranexamic acid has no specific annex entry and is judged by the safety assessor. Great Britain limits kojic acid to 1% in face and hand products but has not adopted the arbutin limits; other markets, such as Japan and Korea, may treat brightening actives as quasi-drugs or functional cosmetics, so check each market.

When is a nanomaterial notification needed?

A product containing a nanomaterial must be notified in the CPNP nano module 6 months before it is placed on the EU market, unless the nanomaterial is a colorant, preservative or UV filter listed in Annexes IV to VI or it complies with an Annex III entry. Nano zinc oxide and titanium dioxide used as UV filters follow their Annex VI conditions and are labeled "(nano)".

When do the EU microplastic rules hit leave-on and rinse-off products?

Under Regulation (EU) 2023/2055, rinse-off cosmetics containing synthetic polymer microparticles cannot be placed on the EU market from 17 October 2027, leave-on products and fragrance encapsulation from 17 October 2029, and lip, nail and make-up products from 17 October 2035. Exfoliating microbeads have been banned since 17 October 2023.

Which ingredients did the EU ban recently?

TPO and 20 other CMR substances from 1 September 2025 (Regulation (EU) 2025/877), 4-MBC from 1 May 2025 for new placements (Regulation (EU) 2024/996), more CMRs including nano and massive silver from 1 May 2026 (Regulation (EU) 2026/78), and triphenyl phosphate from 1 January 2027 (Regulation (EU) 2026/909).

How do I check my formula against Annexes II to VI?

Search every INCI name in the European Commission's CosIng database, note its annex entry and restrictions, compare product type, maximum concentration and warnings with your formula, then check the newest acts in the Official Journal, which CosIng may not show yet. Your safety assessor confirms the result in the CPSR.

Does the UK follow the same ingredient changes as the EU?

Only partly. Great Britain adopted the kojic acid limit, the 4-MBC and TPO bans and the hexyl salicylate limits on later dates, but as of October 2026 it has not adopted the EU vitamin A and arbutin limits, the expanded allergen list or Regulation (EU) 2026/909.

Are nano zinc oxide or titanium dioxide allowed in EU sunscreens?

Yes, under the conditions of their Annex VI entries, for example on purity, coating and particle size, and they must be labeled with "(nano)" after the name. Products that may lead to inhalation, such as sprays, have extra restrictions, so check the entry for your format.

Sources

Checked against these sources in October 2026. Rules and fees change; check with the authority or your importer before you sell.