In line with the Toxic-Free Cosmetics Act (TFCA), which already bans chemicals deemed toxic in cosmetics sold in Washington State, this new rule extends the ban to 25 formaldehyde releasers intentionally added to a cosmetic ingredient or product.

Formaldehyde is already included in the TFCA, alongside lead, mercury, triclosan, methylene glycol and per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS).
The focus is now on formaldehyde releasers.

Newly banned substances

They are listed as follows:
• DMDM Hydantoin (CAS No.6440-58-0; limited to 0.6% in Europe)
• Diazolidinyl Urea (CAS No.78491-02-8; limited to 0.5% in Europe)
• Imidiazolidinyl Urea (CAS No.39236-46-9; limited to 0.6% in Europe)
• Quaternium-15 (CAS No.4080-31-3/51229-78-8; prohibited in Europe)
• Tosylamide/Formaldehyde Resin (PTSAF; CAS No.25035-71-6; no regulated in Europe)
• 2-Bromo-2-Nitropropane-1,3-Diol (Bronopol, CAS No.52-51-7; limited to 0.1% un Europe)
• Sodium Hydroxymethylglycinate (CAS No.70161-44-3; limited to 0.5% in Europe, the content of releasable formaldehyde to be less than 0.1% w/w)
• Polyoxymethylene Urea (CAS No.9011-05-6/68611-64-3; not regulated in Europe)
• Polyoxymethylene Melamine (CAS No.9003-08-1; not regulated in Europe)
• 5-Bromo-5-Nitro-1,3-Dioxane (Bronidox, CAS No.30007-47-7; limité to 0.1% in rinse-off products in Europe)
• 7-Ethylbicyclo-oxazolidine (Bioban CS1246, CAS No.7747-35-5, INCI: 7-Ethylbicyclooxazolidine; limited to 0.3% in Europe but prohibited oral …