This 1 May 2026 marks the entry into force of the provisions of two European regulations, with practical implications for several ingredients, including the UV filter 4-Methylbenzylidene Camphor (4-MBC), Silver, Hexyl Salicylate, and the preservatives o-Phenylphenol and Sodium o-Phenylphenate… A reminder of the new restrictions.
Regulation (EU) 2024/996 - Prohibition of 4-MBC
Published in April 2024, this Regulation introduced restrictions on several ingredients (Retinol, Arbutin, endocrine disruptors…) and enacted a ban on the UV filter 4-Methylbenzylidene Camphor, effective from 1 May 2025 for products placed on the market and from 1 May 2026 for products made available on the market.
It is therefore now completely banned in products, which must be withdrawn from the market if they still contain it.
Regulation (EU) 2026/78 - 8th “CMR” Regulation
This is the 8th Annual Omnibus, aimed at banning or regulating substances recently classified as CMR, which transposes the 22nd ATP of the CLP Regulation into the Cosmetics Regulation; both come into force on 1 May 2026.
Its main implications, applicable to all products (placed on the market and made available on the market):
• 15 substances are added to Annex II (Prohibited substances) of European Cosmetics Regulation 1223/2009. One of these has an INCI name: N,N’-Methylenebisacrylamide
• Silver is now banned in its massive and nano forms, but permitted in its powder form with restrictions (0.05% in toothpastes and mouthwashes) and as a colorant (0.2% in lip products and eye shadows)
• Hexyl …
