On 21 July 2025, Great Britain published Statutory Intrument 2025 No. 901, entitled “The Cosmetic Products (Restriction of Chemical Substances) (No. 2) Regulations 2025”, which institutes restrictions on the use of Benzophenone-3 in cosmetic products.
This new regulation amends entry 4 of Annex VI (Authorized UV Filters) of the Cosmetics Regulation applicable in England, Wales, and Scotland.
The new regulations in Great Britain
Reference number
4
Substance identification
• Chemical name/INN/XAN
2-Hydroxy-4-methoxy-benzophenone/Oxybenzone
• Name of Common Ingredients Glossary
Benzophenone-3
• CAS number 131-57-7
• EC number
205-031-5
Conditions
• Product type, body parts
(a) skin products, other than those listed in paragraph (b), including all propellant and pump spray skin products
(b) face products, hand products and lip products (excluding propellant and pump spray face products, hand products and lip products)
(c) all other cosmetic product
• Maximum concentration in ready for use preparation
(a) 2.2%
(b) 6%
(c) 0.5%
• Other
For product types (a) and (b), not to be used at more than 0.5% to protect product formulation.
If used at 0.5% to protect product formulation, the levels used as UV filter must not exceed, for product types:
(a) 1.7%;
(b) 5.5%.
Entry into force
These provisions will come into force on January 21, 2026.
Products placed on the market before January 21, 2026 may continue to be made available until July 21, 2026.
