Silver and its Compounds

EU SCCS Confirms Safe Use Levels for Micron-Sized Silver in Cosmetic Products

The EU Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety has issued final advice concluding that micron-sized silver can be safely used in cosmetic, oral hygiene, and nail products within clearly defined concentration limits, based on new human dermal penetration studies and conservative systemic exposure modelling. This gives formulation and regulatory teams a robust scientific benchmark for silver-containing cosmetics as the EU prepares to align silver’s CLP classification and any resulting measures under the Cosmetics Regulation.

29 Apr 2026, 06:56health.ec.europa.euEuropean Union

EU Corrigendum to Commission Regulation (EU) 2026/78 Rectifies Annex III Limits for Silver and Hexyl Salicylate

An EU corrigendum to Commission Regulation (EU) 2026/78 clarifies the new Annex III restrictions under the Cosmetics Regulation by setting detailed product-type limits for micron-sized silver and Hexyl Salicylate in toothpaste, mouthwash, fragrances and skin and hair products from 1 May 2026. Cosmetics brands and suppliers using these substances must review EU-market formulations and child-targeted lines against the new Annex III ceilings, reformulate where necessary, and align labelling and portfolio decisions ahead of the application date.

28 Apr 2026, 19:50eur-lex.europa.euEuropean Union

Great Britain HSE Proposes Revised CLP Classification for Silver Nitrate (CAS 7761-88-8)

In March 2026 the GB CLP Agency at HSE issued an Article 37 technical report proposing a significantly strengthened UK CLP mandatory classification for silver nitrate, adding reproductive toxicity, repeated-exposure neurotoxicity, and carcinogenicity to its existing oxidising, corrosive, and very high aquatic toxicity profile. If adopted into the GB MCL list, this would materially tighten hazard communication and downstream classification duties for silver nitrate and related products in Great Britain, so businesses should anticipate label and SDS changes and reassess mixture and use-pattern risks.

22 Apr 2026, 16:50hse.gov.ukUnited Kingdom

Norway Consults On EU Cosmetics Regulation Amendments For Fragrances, Hair Dyes and Metals

Norway is consulting on aligning national law with the EU Omnibus II cosmetics regulation, introducing significant new bans and restrictions for fragrances, hair dyes, and metal salts. Manufacturers must audit formulations and update product labeling by early 2027 to maintain market access and comply with new safety-driven concentration limits.

5 Apr 2026, 04:49hoering.mattilsynet.noNorwayEuropean UnionEuropean Economic Area

Great Britain Issues Non-Approval Decisions For Biocidal Active Substances Under GB BPR

Great Britain has finalized the non-approval of several biocidal active substances including DBNPA and silver nitrate effective April 2026. Manufacturers must audit supply chains and initiate phase-out plans for treated articles and biocidal products to meet staggered market exit deadlines through 2027.

1 Apr 2026, 18:47hse.gov.ukUnited Kingdom

EU SCCS Publishes Draft Agenda for 26 March 2026 Plenary on Cosmetic Ingredients and Nanomaterials

The EU SCCS will review final and preliminary safety opinions for key cosmetic ingredients including BHA, CBD, and Microsilver in March 2026. These assessments provide the scientific basis for future EU-wide restrictions, signaling potential reformulation requirements and market access risks for consumer products.

14 Mar 2026, 14:14health.ec.europa.euEuropean Union

Czechia Notifies Draft Pharmacopoeial Monograph for Argenti Diacetyltannatis Albuminati Eye Drops

Czechia has proposed a new pharmacopoeial monograph for silver-based eye drops, establishing specific quality and composition standards expected to take effect in mid-2026. Manufacturers must align production and testing protocols with these updated assay and purity limits to maintain market access and ensure product integrity.

12 Mar 2026, 11:28technical-regulation-information-system.ec.europa.euEuropean UnionCzechia

EU ECHA Updates Article 94 Treated Articles Active Substance List (20 February 2026)

ECHA has updated the list of permitted active substances for treated articles under the Biocidal Products Regulation as of February 2026. Companies must immediately audit supply chains to identify substances facing the 180-day sell-out deadline to avoid market access disruptions.

27 Feb 2026, 16:31echa.europa.euEuropean Union

GB BPR Open Invitation For Silver Phosphoborate Glass (PT2, PT7, PT9) – Notification Deadline 18 February 2027

UK HSE has set a February 2027 deadline for industry to support the active substance silver phosphoborate glass under the GB Biocidal Products Regulation. Absence of a supporting participant will trigger a total market ban on the substance and all treated articles, necessitating urgent supply chain reviews for disinfectants and preserved materials.

27 Feb 2026, 16:13content.govdelivery.comUnited Kingdom

EU Draft Commission Regulation Amending Cosmetics Regulation 1223/2009 on Specific Ingredients (D110957/01, 2026/2559(RPS))

The European Union is advancing a draft regulation to restrict twelve key substances in cosmetic products, including aluminium compounds and fragrance allergens, with a legislative scrutiny deadline set for April 2026. Manufacturers must prepare for revised concentration limits and potential reformulations to ensure continued market access for products containing these widely used ingredients.

26 Feb 2026, 13:05europarl.europa.euEuropean Union

The Cosmetic Products Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009 (Restriction of Chemical Substances) (Amendment and Transitional Provisions) (No. 2) Regulations 2026

Great Britain has prohibited 13 CMR substances and restricted hexyl salicylate in cosmetics, with phased compliance deadlines starting August 2026. Manufacturers must initiate formulation audits and manage inventory phase-outs immediately to meet tight sell-through windows for restricted and prohibited ingredients.

12 Feb 2026, 14:45legislation.gov.ukUnited Kingdom

EU SCCS Working Group Reviews Cosmetic Ingredient Safety (Minutes, 22–23 January 2026)

EU safety assessors have progressed reviews for key ingredients including CBD and BHA, while confirming that Omnibus VIII CMR restrictions take effect on May 1, 2026. Companies must finalize compliance for newly restricted substances like hexyl salicylate and silver while preparing for potential formulation changes driven by ongoing nanomaterial and salicylic acid assessments.

3 Feb 2026, 15:06health.ec.europa.euEuropean Union

Notification Deadline and Open Invitation for Silver Phosphoborate Glass under BPR

ECHA has opened a call for new industry sponsors to support silver phosphoborate glass in the biocidal review program following the withdrawal of all current participants. Failure to submit a notification by early 2027 will result in the mandatory market withdrawal of all biocidal products containing this substance.

30 Jan 2026, 09:54echa.europa.euEuropean Union

Brazil (Anvisa) Prohibits Irregular Supplements and Natural Products

Brazil's Anvisa has implemented immediate recalls and marketing bans for supplements and food products containing unauthorized ingredients like nano silver and plastic polymers. This enforcement action signals heightened regulatory scrutiny on ingredient authorization and health claims, requiring companies to strictly validate product compositions and marketing materials for the Brazilian market.

22 Jan 2026, 16:09gov.brBrazil

Switzerland Updates Cosmetics CMR Controls For Silver, Hexyl Salicylate And Other Substances (Omnibus VIII)

The European Union and Switzerland have finalized new bans and restrictions on CMR substances in cosmetics, including silver and hexyl salicylate, effective May 1, 2026. Companies must immediately audit formulations and supply chains to ensure compliance or phase out restricted ingredients before the market access deadline.

22 Jan 2026, 09:13eur-lex.europa.euSwitzerlandEuropean Union

ECHA Updates BPR Treated Articles Article 94 List With New Hydrogen Peroxide And TCDO AS-PT Combinations

ECHA has updated the list of permitted biocidal active substances for treated articles, adding new notifications for hydrogen peroxide and chlorine dioxide. Companies must audit product treatments against revised phase-out dates and upcoming 2026-2027 dossier deadlines to maintain market access and regulatory compliance.

19 Jan 2026, 10:15echa.europa.euEuropean Union

England Environment Agency Issues RPS 360 On Recovering Silver From Waste Developer And Fixer Solutions

The Environment Agency has issued a new regulatory position allowing silver recovery from photographic and X-ray waste solutions without an environmental permit under specific operational conditions. This provides immediate compliance relief for small-scale recovery operations while signaling a shift toward formalized waste exemptions that may impose stricter throughput limits in the future.

15 Jan 2026, 06:05gov.ukUnited Kingdom

EU Commission Adopts Regulation 2026/78 Amending Cosmetics Regulation on CMR Substances

The EU has finalized Regulation 2026/78, introducing new prohibitions and strict concentration limits for CMR substances in cosmetics effective May 1, 2026. Manufacturers must urgently reformulate products containing silver, hexyl salicylate, or specific preservatives to maintain market access, particularly for sensitive categories like children's and oral care.

13 Jan 2026, 13:16eur-lex.europa.euEuropean Union

Japan Environment Ministry Committee Endorses Revisions To Drinking Water Inspection Methods, Including PFOS/PFOA Testing

Japan has finalized updated drinking water inspection and material-testing methods for PFAS, metals, and organic contaminants following a late 2025 review. Manufacturers of water-supply infrastructure and testing laboratories should prepare for revised analytical standards and validation requirements that will govern future compliance and market access.

11 Jan 2026, 07:00env.go.jpJapan

England Environment Agency Withdraws Low Risk Waste Position LRWP 5 For Solid Waste Wax

The Environment Agency has withdrawn the low risk waste position for storing and treating solid waste wax, effective January 2026. Operators must now secure formal environmental permits or alternative authorizations to ensure continued compliance for industrial wax waste activities.

6 Jan 2026, 10:44gov.ukUnited Kingdom