Octocrylene (CAS No.6197-30-4, EC No.228-250-8, INCI: Octocrylene) is an ingredient listed in Cosing, with the following functions: Light stabiliser, UV absorber, UV filter.
It is regulated under Annex VI/10 (Authorised UV filters) of the European Cosmetics Regulation 1223/2009, which limits its maximum concentration to 9% in propellant spray products and to 10% in other products.

As a reminder, since 2023, France has, under the REACH Regulation, put forward a proposal to ban the placing on the market or use of finished cosmetic products containing octocrylene at a concentration of 0.001% w/w or higher.
The main reason is the environmental risk posed by octocrylene to non-target organisms in the aquatic environment (freshwater, seawater), including sediments, and to consumers of drinking water due to groundwater contamination.

Opinions of the ECHA Committees

In February, the RAC, and then in March, the SEAC, examined their second draft opinion on this proposal.
On 4 June 2026, the RAC (Risk Assessment Committee) adopted its opinion (which has now been published), and concluded that “the restriction proposed by the Dossier Submitter on octocrilene is the most appropriate Union wide measure to address the identified risk in terms of the effectiveness in reducing the risk, …