On 10 April 2024, Great Britain notified a document providing for a number of changes to its cosmetics regulations. The main changes involve adding 52 CMRs to the list of prohibited ingredients, and modifying the restrictions on the use of Kojic Acid. All of this with lists that differ significantly from those drawn up in Europe, and divergent dates of entry into force…
The measures detailed in these “Cosmetic Products (Restriction of Chemical Substances) (No.2) Regulations 2024” are intended to apply in England, Wales and Scotland.
CMRs
The list of new banned substances essentially reproduces those established by European Regulations 2022/1531 (CMR 5) and 2023/1490 (CMR 6), albeit in a different order.
But some substances are “forgotten”, while others are added. There are also three substances already banned by European Regulation 2019/831 (CMR 1).
Among the differences that could affect cosmetics, Pentetic Acid (CAS 67-43-6) and Pentasodium Pentetate (CAS 140-01-2), both included in CMR 6, will be banned in Europe but not in Great Britain.
Kojic Acid
In this case, Great Britain is directly aligning itself with the new restrictions published for Europe on 3 April 2024 (European Regulation 2024/996). Kojic Acid will be limited to 1% in face and hand products.
Application date
The new British rules will apply from 20 April 2025 for products placed on the market and from 20 August 2025 for products made available on the market.
As a reminder, in Europe :
• CMR 1 has been fully applicable since 2019
• CMR 5 has been applicable since 17 December 2022
• CMR 6 …
