A Compilation of Cosmetic Regulations Uupdates in Europe and the United States in 2025.

In 2025, the global "regulatory grip" on cosmetics tightened further. Major markets in Europe and North America, represented by the European Union, the United Kingdom, Canada, and the United States, issued a series of intensive regulatory updates and scientific assessment opinions focusing on core dimensions such as ingredient safety and labeling transparency. For companies expanding overseas, understanding these changes is a core competitive advantage for building market trust and mitigating commercial risks.

This article will outline the key regulatory developments in Europe and the United States during 2025, providing clear compliance navigation for enterprises.

European Union

• Updates on Ingredient Safety Assessments and Restrictions

SCCS Assessment Opinions Update: In 2025, opinions from the EU's Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety (SCCS) have become a "pre-review checkpoint" for market access. The committee intensively released draft safety opinions, revised opinions, and final conclusions covering multiple categories of high-concern cosmetic ingredients, including preservatives, UV filters, hair dyeing substances, fragrances, and antioxidants. Furthermore, the European Commission has successively requested the SCCS to conduct further safety assessments on ingredients such as titanium dioxide, silicone substances, silver, and acetophenone, and has sought scientific opinions regarding the occupational exposure risks for hairdressing professionals to hazardous substances.

TPO Ban Interpretation Guidance: The EU has issued a Q&A document clarifying the prohibition on the use of Trimethylbenzoyldiphenylphosphine Oxide (TPO) effective September 1, 2025.

• Labeling and Naming Regulations

  
  

Update to the Glossary of Common Ingredient Names: The European Union has notified the World Trade Organization (WTO) of a draft revision to the Glossary of Common Ingredient Names. The new standard will become mandatory from July 30, 2026.

Corrections to Names on the List of Restricted Substances: The EU has published two corrections to the relevant Commission Regulations amending the Cosmetic Products Regulation. These updates revise the names of four entries on the list of restricted substances to facilitate accurate labeling.

• Amendments to the Regulatory Framework and Proposals for Simplification

Proposal to Simplify Regulatory Requirements: The European Union has notified the World Trade Organization (WTO) of a draft proposal for regulatory simplification. The proposal intends to eliminate the obligation to notify nanomaterials and abolish periodic reporting by member states, among other measures.

Revised Draft Adopted by the Council of the EU: The Council of the European Union has adopted a revised draft of the Cosmetic Products Regulation (Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009). The revision aims to simplify reporting and compliance obligations for companies and strengthen supervision over carcinogenic, mutagenic, or reprotoxic (CMR) substances and nanomaterials.

USA

• Federal Level (FDA)

Advancement of MoCRA Supporting Measures:

1. The U.S. Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA) released the "2025 Spring Unified Agenda of Regulatory and Deregulatory Actions," clarifying timelines for FDA requirements such as fragrance allergen disclosure (May 2026) and asbestos testing methods (March 2026).

2. The FDA issued "Questions and Answers Regarding Mandatory Cosmetics Recalls: Guidance for Industry," detailing the agency's recall authority and procedures.

Sunscreen Ingredient Management:

1. In June 2025, bipartisan lawmakers proposed the "Supporting Accessible, Flexible, and Effective (SAFE) Sunscreen Standards Act (H.R.3686)," which aims to streamline the approval process for new ingredients.

2. In December 2025, based on industry applications, the FDA initiated proceedings to evaluate whether the sunscreen ingredient bemotrizinol should be classified as a "Generally Recognized as Safe and Effective (GRASE)" ingredient.

Asbestos Testing in Talc-Containing Products:In December 2024, the U.S. FDA proposed mandatory testing requirements, but in November 2025, it withdrew the related testing method proposal.

Public Release of Adverse Reaction Data:The FDA launched a public data dashboard for the Cosmetics Adverse Event Reporting System (CAERS), allowing users to view reports online and download complete datasets. All information is continuously updated based on the latest daily submissions.

Strengthened Import Oversight:In July and September 2025, the FDA refused 48 and 79 batches of imported cosmetics, respectively, primarily due to misclassification as drugs or non-compliant ingredients.

• State Level

■ California

Proposition 65 Updates: In 2025, the California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA) on multiple occasions solicited data or established limits for substances including 1-bromopropane, diethanolamine, and bisphenol A.

TPhP Control in Nail Polish: California initiated a public consultation, proposing to list nail products containing over 250 ppm Triphenyl phosphate (TPhP) as priority regulatory targets.

Musk Reduction Act: California enacted the Musk Reduction Act (Assembly Bill No. 60), prohibiting the use of four musk ingredients in cosmetics: Musk Ambrette, Musk Tibetene, Musk Moskene, and Musk Xylene. The ban will take effect on January 1, 2027.

C.U.R.L. (Cosmetic Underreporting and Lightening) Act: Signed in October 2025, the act prohibits the use of nine harmful ingredients in chemical hair straightening products.

No	Ingredients Name	CAS No
1	Formaldehyde	50-00-0
2	Isobutylparaben	4247-02-3
3	Isopropylparaben	4191-73-5
4	Cyclohexylamine	108-91-8
5	Cyclotetrasiloxane	556-67-2
6	Diethanolamine perfluorooctane sulfonate	70225-14-8
7	Dibutyl phthalate	84-74-2
8	Diethylhexyl phthalate	117-81-7
9	Lily aldehyde	80-54-6

Illinois PFAS Ban: Illinois will prohibit the sale of cosmetics containing intentionally added per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) starting January 1, 2032.

Washington State: Regulations have been passed prohibiting the sale of cosmetics containing formaldehyde and specific formaldehyde-releasing agents, and listing 25 restricted substances.

Canada

• Ingredient Control and Assessment

Fragrance Allergen Labeling: Health Canada has issued final amendments to the Cosmetics Regulations through the Canada Gazette. The fragrance allergen labeling requirements will be implemented in three phases: labeling of 24 allergens will be required starting April 2026, expanding to 81 allergens from August 2026.

Transitional Period for Canada's Cosmetic Fragrance Allergen Labeling Regulations
Date	Newly Launched Products	Existing Products
From 2024/4/12	Label 24 fragrance allergens (consistent with requirements for children's cosmetics in Mainland China and cosmetics in Taiwan region)
From 2026/8/1	Label 81 fragrance allergens (consistent with the EU list)	Label 24 fragrance allergens
From 2028/8/1	Label 81 fragrance allergens

PFAS Risk Management: Canada has released the PFAS Risk Management Approach, which plans to phase out the use of PFAS in cosmetics.

Dynamic Updates to the Cosmetic Ingredient Hotlist: The Hotlist was revised multiple times in 2025, adding prohibited/restricted ingredients such as Basic Violet 4, Basic Blue 7, and Polyaminopropyl Biguanide, and updating entries for substances like Strychnine and Furanocoumarins.

Updates to the Prohibited Cosmetic Ingredients List: Health Canada updated two entries related to cannabis in the List of Prohibited and Restricted Cosmetic Ingredients. The changes are primarily editorial/terminological adjustments aimed at aligning with the Cannabis Exemption Regulations and the Industrial Hemp Regulations.

Priority Assessment Substances: Under the Plan of Priorities, Canada has announced risk management measures, listing chemicals such as Octocrylene, the synthetic musk HHCB, and certain hair dye ingredients on the priority assessment list.

Updated Risk Management Measures: In November, the Canadian government released updated risk management measures concerning Triphenyl phosphate (TPHP) and derivatives of 1,3-Propanediamine, N-[3-(C11-14-isoalkoxy)propyl] (C13-rich acetate salt).

• Reporting and Standard Requirements

  
  

Updates to the Cosmetic Notification Form (CNF): Revised in 2025, it now requires companies exporting to Canada to have a physical presence or designate an agent with a local Canadian address.

Standards for Exosome Products: Health Canada has solicited public feedback on the classification method for products containing human-derived exosomes.

United Kingdom

• Ingredient Control and Assessment

Dynamic Safety Assessment Opinions from SAG-CS: In 2025, the UK's Scientific Advisory Group on Chemical Safety of Consumer Products (SAG-CS) issued safety assessment opinions on various high-concern ingredients in cosmetics. These covered categories including preservatives, UV filters, and fragrances, specifically addressing ingredients such as Homosalate, Octinoxate, and 4-Methylbenzylidene Camphor. These assessments provide scientific basis for UK cosmetic ingredient regulation, focusing on consumer allergy risks, potential endocrine-disrupting effects, and safety analyses for both child and adult usage scenarios.

Regulatory Amendments Adding Newly Prohibited and Restricted Ingredients: Based on scientific evaluations, the UK notified the World Trade Organization (WTO) of draft amendments to cosmetics regulations multiple times in 2025 and subsequently passed several Cosmetics (Chemical Substances Restrictions) Regulations. These amendments adjust the currently applicable Cosmetics Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009 in the UK. Changes include adding newly prohibited ingredients, introducing or adjusting restriction requirements, and establishing corresponding transitional arrangements, involving substances such as Methyl salicylate and Oxybenzone (Benzophenone-3). Some restriction details differ from the corresponding EU requirements.

The regulatory wave in 2025 demonstrates that global cosmetics regulation has entered a new era characterized by evidence-driven decision-making, lifecycle safety considerations, and information transparency. Compliance has evolved into a strategic management function requiring continuous investment and forward-looking planning. For companies expanding overseas, those who can understand and adapt to regulatory changes more accurately and swiftly will be able to build trust and achieve long-term sustainable growth in the intensely competitive global market.

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