Global Cosmetics Regulatory Update 2026: Key Changes in July

Global Cosmetics Regulatory Update: Ingredient Controls Tighten

European Union

On July 8, 2026, the EU notified the WTO of a draft amendment concerning CMR substances and other cosmetic ingredients under Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009 on cosmetic products. The proposal responds to new classifications of substances as carcinogenic, mutagenic or toxic to reproduction and opinions from the Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety (SCCS).

The draft would:

• Amend one entry and add 16 entries to Annex II on prohibited substances;

• Amend one entry and add two entries to Annex III on restricted substances; and

• Amend one entry, add one entry and delete two entries from Annex V on permitted preservatives.

Comments are open until September 6, 2026, and adoption is expected in the fourth quarter of 2026.

A separate draft proposes revised conditions for micron-sized particulate silver with a particle diameter of more than 100 nm and less than 1 mm, based on the latest SCCS scientific advice on silver.

Proposed maximum concentrations are:

• 0.2% in rinse-off products;

• 0.3% in leave-on products;

• 0.2% in oral-care products; and

• 0.3% in nail products.

The same limits would generally apply to products for children, except mouthwash, for which the proposed maximum concentration is 0.05%. The draft provides that the regulation would enter into force on the date of publication and apply from May 1, 2026. These conditions remain proposals until the final regulation is adopted.

Companies supplying the EU should review affected formulas as part of their broader EU cosmetic product compliance program.

Brazil

Brazil's Brazilian Health Regulatory Agency (Anvisa) proposed adding 142 entries to the restricted ingredients list under RDC No. 1029/2026. The proposal covers ingredients including butylated hydroxytoluene, kojic acid, genistein, hydrolyzed wheat protein and multiple hair dye substances.

The consultation runs from July 8 to September 8, 2026. The proposal provides a 24-month transition period for registered or notified products that do not comply with the final requirements.

ASEAN & Malaysia

The 43rd ASEAN Cosmetic Committee meeting also approved amendments to the ingredient annexes of the ASEAN Cosmetic Directive. The changes affect prohibited and restricted substances, colorants and preservatives.

Separately, Malaysia's National Pharmaceutical Regulatory Agency updated the ingredient annexes to the Guidelines for Control of Cosmetic Products in Malaysia, effective July 6, 2026. Companies operating across the region should also account for national implementation requirements when managing ASEAN cosmetic notifications.

North American Ingredient and Labeling Developments

United States

Illinois enacted HB 3409, creating the Chemicals in Cosmetic Products Act. From July 1, 2028, the Act will prohibit the manufacture, sale, delivery, holding or offering for sale of cosmetics containing specified intentionally added chemical ingredients. A limited exemption applies to technically unavoidable trace quantities under the conditions set out in the Act.

Colorado's HB 26-1135 will require clear and conspicuous warnings for certain hair relaxers and hairpiece products containing intentionally added carcinogens or reproductive toxicants. The requirements take effect on July 1, 2027. The warning requirement does not apply to covered products sold or distributed to commercial entities for professional use.

At the federal level, the U.S. Unified Agenda lists November 2026 as the target date for two FDA proposed rules:

• A proposed prohibition on formaldehyde and formaldehyde-releasing chemicals, including methylene glycol, in hair smoothing or straightening products that are applied to the hair and heated under their conditions of use; and

• A proposed rule on the disclosure of fragrance allergens on cosmetic labels under the Modernization of Cosmetics Regulation Act of 2022 (MoCRA).

The Unified Agenda reflects anticipated rulemaking timelines and does not itself establish binding requirements. Companies should manage these developments alongside their wider U.S. cosmetic compliance obligations under MoCRA.

Canada

Canada imposed legally binding conditions on the manufacture and import of castor oil, monomaleate, CAS No. 241153-84-4, effective June 10, 2026. Canada also proposed Significant New Activity concentration thresholds for triethanolamine, LDE and CDE in cosmetics. Activities exceeding the proposed thresholds would require notification before commencement. Comments are due by August 27, 2026.

Safety Assessment, Labeling and Market-Access Requirements

South Korea

South Korea's Ministry of Food and Drug Safety proposed amendments to the Enforcement Rule of the Cosmetics Act and the Enforcement Decree of the Cosmetics Act. The proposals address the preparation, retention, review and management of cosmetic safety assessment documents, requirements for safety assessors, recall reporting timelines and customized cosmetics. Comments are open until August 18, 2026.

South Korea is also developing guidance on braille and QR-code information for cosmetic packaging. The guidance is expected by the end of 2026 and is intended as a voluntary technical reference, rather than a mandatory labeling requirement.

Companies importing or marketing cosmetics in the country should integrate these developments into their broader South Korea cosmetics regulatory compliance processes.

Thailand

Thailand published a reference list of cosmetic fragrance allergens based on Commission Regulation (EU) 2023/1545 and related updates available as of January 21, 2026. Based on the source material, the list serves as a reference for ingredient identification and should not be described as creating a new standalone labeling obligation.

Indonesia

Indonesia proposed broader post-market safety monitoring requirements for cosmetics and other regulated product categories. A separate halal compliance draft would, if adopted, require businesses to maintain continuing controls over ingredients, production processes, facilities, personnel and records after obtaining halal certification. Comments on the halal draft are open until September 21, 2026.

Australia

Australia's Australian Industrial Chemicals Introduction Scheme (AICIS) confirmed that retinal introductions for consumer use require an AICIS assessment certificate before introduction. The requirement applies to retinal, also known as retinaldehyde, CAS No. 116-31-4, and has been effective since June 27, 2026.

Retinal may no longer be introduced under the exempted or reported introduction categories when intended for consumer use, including use in cosmetics. Companies should assess this obligation as part of their wider Australian cosmetics compliance strategy.

Impact and Actionable Advice for Global Companies

The developments require companies to manage cosmetic compliance at the level of each jurisdiction rather than rely on a single global formula or safety file.

International manufacturers, ingredient suppliers and brand owners should:

• Separate binding requirements from drafts and voluntary guidance before changing products or making compliance claims;

• Screen formulas against the latest EU, Brazilian, ASEAN and U.S. state ingredient restrictions;

• Review particle size, concentration, intended function and intentionally added status where these determine applicability;

• Map consultation deadlines, effective dates and transition periods for every affected market;

• Assess whether labels require chemical warnings, fragrance allergen disclosures or accessibility information;

• Strengthen supplier data collection for global cosmetic safety assessments and post-market monitoring;

• Review halal-certified supply chains for continuing compliance controls; and

• Obtain the required AICIS assessment certificate before introducing retinal for cosmetic or other consumer uses in Australia.

Companies should also document the regulatory basis for each formulation, labeling and market-access decision and update their change-control procedures when ingredient classifications or annexes are revised.

How REACH24H Can Help

REACH24H provides global cosmetic compliance services for cosmetic manufacturers, brand owners and ingredient suppliers, including:

• Global cosmetic ingredient screening;

• Multi-market formula compliance reviews;

• Cosmetic safety assessments;

• Labeling and claims reviews;

• New ingredient and product submissions;

• Regulatory monitoring and impact assessments;

• Market-entry planning; and

• Post-market compliance support.

Contact REACH24H to assess how the latest global cosmetic regulations affect your formulations, labels, safety documentation and market-access strategy.