This 28 January 2023 marked the entry into force of new restrictions under Regulation 2022/1176 for two UV filters, Benzophenone-3 and Octocrylene, which now apply to all new products placed on the market.
Published on 8 July 2022, Regulation 2022/1176 amended Annex VI (permitted UV filters) of Cosmetics Regulation 1223/2009. It provides new concentration limits for Benzophenone-3 and Octocrylene.
As of 28 January 2023, new products placed on the EU market must therefore meet the following requirements.
Benzophenone-3
Maximum allowable concentration
a) Face products, hand products, and lip products, excluding propellant and pump spray products: 6%
b) Body products, including propellant and pump spray products: 2.2%
c)Other products: 0.5%
Other restrictions
For a) and b) Not more than 0.5% to protect product formulation.
a) If used at 0.5% to protect product formulation, the levels used as UV filter must not exceed 5.5%.
b) If used at 0,5 % to protect product formulation, the levels used as UV filter must not exceed 1,7 %.
Mandatory labelling information
For a) and b): Contains Benzophenone-3**
Not required if concentration is 0,5 % or less and when it is used only for product protection purposes.
Octocrylene
Maximum allowable concentration
a) Propellant spray products: 9%
b) Other products: 10%
Other restriction
Benzophenone as an impurity and/or degradation product of Octocrylene shall be kept at trace level
It is the responsibility of manufacturers and Responsible Persons to take all …
