UK Proposes Amendments to Cosmetics Regulation: Approval of Hexyl Salicylate and Prohibition of 13 CMR Substances

On 27 November, 2025, the United Kingdom submitted notification G/TBT/N/GBR/108 to the World Trade Organization (WTO), proposing amendments to the UK Cosmetics Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009. The proposed amendments mainly include the approval of Hexyl Salicylate by listing it as a restricted ingredient in cosmetics, as well as the prohibition of 13 substances classified as CMR (Carcinogenic, Mutagenic, or Reprotoxic). The amendments are scheduled to be officially published in February 2026, with the deadline for comments set for 26 January, 2026.

UK,Cosmetic,Regulation,Amendments,CMR,Prohibition

Key Proposed Amendments

Approval of Hexyl Salicylate

Hexyl Salicylate (CAS No. 6259-76-3), is classified as a category 1 skin sensitiser and a category 2 reproductive toxicant under the GB Classification, Labelling and Packaging (CLP) regulation No 1272/2008 (as amended). In November 2025, the UK SAG-CS published its final opinion on Hexyl Salicylate, establishing safe use concentrations for this substance in cosmetics intended for adults and children aged 3 years and above, as well as in products intended for infants aged 0-3 years.

In accordance with Article 31(1)(g)(i) of the Cosmetic Regulation, the Secretary of State considers

there is sufficient scientific evidence that Hexyl Salicylate is safe for use in cosmetic products, where the substance has been classified as a CMR substance of category 2 under the CLP Regulation. Based on the above assessment, the UK plans to include Hexyl Salicylate in the list of restricted substances in cosmetics by adding it as entry 325 to Annex III of the UK Cosmetics Regulation.

Reference number	Substance identification				Restrictions			Wording of conditions of use and warnings
Reference number	Chemical name/INN	Name of common ingredients glossary	CAS number	EC number	Product type, body parts	Maximum concentration in ready for use preparation	Other	Wording of conditions of use and warnings
325	hexyl 2-hydroxybenzoate	Hexyl salicylate	6259-76-3	228-408-6	(a)Fragrance products (spray and non-spray) (b) Rinse-off skin and hair products (c)Leave-on skin products (except fragrance products, face makeup products, lip products and deodorants (spray and non-spray)) (d) Lip products (e) Deodorant (spray and non-spray) (f) Leave-on hair products (spray and non-spray) (g) Face makeup products (h) Toothpaste and mouthwash	(a)(1) 0.1% (products intended for children 0-3 years) (2) 2% (products intended for children above 3 years and adults) (b)(1) 0.1% (products intended for children 0-3 years) (2)0.5% (products intended for children above 3 years and adults) (c)(1) 0.1% (products intended for children 0-3 years) (2) 0.3% (products intended for children above 3 years and adults) (d) (1) 0.1% (products intended for children 0-3 years) (2) 0.3% (products intended for children above 3 years and adults) (e) 0.3% (products intended for children above 3 years and adults) (f) 0.3% (products intended for children above 3 years and adults) (g) 0.3% (products intended for children above 3 years and adults) (h) 0.001%

The relevant requirements will take effect from 15 August 2026. Products placed on the market before this date may continue to be sold in England, Wales, and Scotland until 14 February 2027.

Prohibition of 13 CMR Substances

In accordance with Article 31(1)(f) of the Cosmetics Regulation, the substances listed below have been classified under the UK CLP Regulation as Category 1B or Category 2 CMR substances. Accordingly, the UK intends to include these 13 substances in the list of prohibited ingredients in cosmetics by adding them as entries 1761 to 1773 in Annex II of the UK Cosmetics Regulation.

Reference number	Chemical name/INN	CAS number	EC number
1761	Sodium 3-(allyloxy)-2-hydroxypropanes ulphonate	52556-42-0	258-004-5
1762	N,N’-methylenediacrylamide	110-26-9	203-750-9
1763	Reaction mass of 1,3-dioxan-5-ol and 1,3- dioxolan-4-ylmethanol
1764	1,4-dichloro-2-nitrobenzene	89-61-2	201-923-3
1765	Pyraclostrobin (ISO); methyl N-{]2-[}1- (4-chlorophenyl)-1H-pyrazol-3-yloxymet hyl{]phenyl[} (N-methoxy)carbamate	175013-18-0	605-747-1
1766	Tert-butyl 2-ethylperoxyhexanoate	3006-82-4	221-110-7
1767	Fenpropidin (ISO); (R,S)-1-[3-(4-tertbut ylphenyl)-2- methylpropyl]piperidine	67306-00-7
1768	2-ethylhexanoic acid, monoester with propane-1,2-diol	85114-00-7	285-503-5
1769	α,α’-propylenedinitrilodi-o-cresol	94-91-7	202-374-2
1770	Ozone	10028-15-6	233-069-2
1771	2-phenylpropene; α-methylstyrene	98-83-9	202-705-0
1772	Silver (nano) [particle diameter > 1 nm ≤ 100 nm] Silver (massive) [particle diameter ≥ 1mm]	7440-22-4	231-131-3
1773	Dinitrogen oxide	10024-97-2	233-032-0

The relevant requirements will apply from 23 March 2027. Products placed on the market before this date may continue to be sold in England, Wales, and Scotland until 22 September 2027.

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Further Information

https://docs.wto.org/imrd/directdoc.asp?DDFDocuments/t/g/tbtn25/gbr108.docx

https://members.wto.org/crnattachments/2025/TBT/GBR/25_08201_00_e.pdf

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