UV Filters

Philippines FDA Issues Circular 2026-0001 Implementing ASEAN Cosmetic Directive Ingredient Amendments

In May 2026, the Philippine FDA issued Circular No.2026-0001 to implement ASEAN Cosmetic Directive ingredient and labelling amendments from recent ACC meetings, introducing new bans and stricter limits for UV filters, preservatives and other CMR or endocrine-active substances. Cosmetics manufacturers, importers and brands selling into the Philippines now face staged reformulation and withdrawal deadlines through 2025–2028, making early portfolio impact reviews and supplier alignment critical to avoid non-compliant products remaining on the market.

7 May 2026, 20:10fda.gov.phPhilippines

NEN Publishes New SPF Measurement Standards NEN‑EN‑ISO 23675:2025 and NEN‑EN‑ISO 23698:2025

NEN has published two ISO-based sunscreen standards, NEN‑EN‑ISO 23675:2025 (in vitro SPF method) and NEN‑EN‑ISO 23698:2025 (hybrid in vitro/skin method), providing new alternatives to traditional in vivo SPF testing for cosmetic products. These harmonised methods give sunscreen manufacturers and laboratories more reproducible, ethically favourable approaches for substantiating SPF claims and may quickly become reference methods across the cosmetics sector.

24 Apr 2026, 12:11nen.nlNetherlands

China NIFDC Issues Trial Technical Guidelines and Q&A for Sunscreen Cosmetics

China’s National Institutes for Food and Drug Control has issued a Q&A clarifying how newly released trial technical guidelines for sunscreen cosmetics should be applied, including expectations for testing, labelling and safety assessment as of April 2026. Sunscreen manufacturers and importers targeting the Chinese market should align formula reporting, packaging claims and aerosol product risk assessments with these guidelines to avoid non‑compliant SPF and PA labelling and to strengthen future registration and filing dossiers.

24 Apr 2026, 10:38nifdc.org.cnChina

EU ECHA Updates Consultation Comments On Proposed REACH Restriction For Octocrilene In Cosmetic Products

European regulators have published an updated compilation of stakeholder comments on the proposed REACH restriction that would effectively ban octocrilene in finished cosmetic products, following a consultation that ran from late 2025 to March 2026. These submissions show the restriction process is well advanced and highly contested, signalling a credible risk that sun care and cosmetic brands relying on octocrilene will need to plan for reformulation and substitution scenarios within the coming regulatory cycle.

21 Apr 2026, 13:10echa.europa.euEuropean Union

ECHA SEAC Publishes Provisional Agenda And Registration Deadline For June 2026 Meeting

ECHA’s socio-economic committee has released the provisional agenda for its 9–11 June 2026 SEAC-71 meeting and set 15 May 2026 as the registration deadline. The meeting will focus on near-final draft opinions under REACH for octocrilene, certain chromium(VI) compounds and the universal PFAS restriction, signalling that key restriction and authorisation decisions are approaching for affected sectors.

19 Apr 2026, 14:59echa.europa.euEuropean Union

South Korea MFDS Proposes Amendments to Cosmetics Precautions and Allergen Ingredient Labelling

South Korea’s MFDS has opened a consultation to fine-tune its cosmetics labelling rules, proposing exceptions to certain precaution statements for shampoos that may not be rinsed off immediately and adding new warning text for products containing the UV filter benzophenone-3 (oxybenzone). If adopted, these changes will require Korean-language label updates for affected shampoos and benzophenone-3 formulations, so cosmetics manufacturers and importers should review current labelling and prepare to adjust packaging and product information ahead of finalisation.

14 Apr 2026, 14:48mfds.go.krSouth Korea

EU SCCS Working Group Reviews Cosmetics Ingredient Opinions and Data Calls (25 March 2026)

In March 2026, the EU’s Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety reviewed the status of multiple cosmetics ingredient opinions, confirmed key data deadlines, and prepared several opinions for plenary adoption. These minutes signal which UV filters, CMR candidates, and other actives are moving toward final SCCS positions or corrigenda, allowing cosmetics companies to anticipate potential changes to allowed uses, labelling, and reformulation priorities in the EU.

13 Apr 2026, 19:30health.ec.europa.euEuropean Union

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

Australia (AICIS) Opens Consultation On 11 Draft Industrial Chemical Evaluation Statements Until 28 May 2026

Australia has opened a public consultation on 11 draft evaluation statements covering 117 industrial chemicals, with a feedback deadline of May 28, 2026. Proposed variations to Inventory listings for substances like Retinol and 2-Pyrrolidinone signal potential new usage restrictions and reporting obligations for personal care and industrial manufacturers.

4 Apr 2026, 10:54industrialchemicals.gov.auAustralia

South Korea MFDS Amends Cosmetic Safety Standards Via Notification No. 2026-16

South Korea has updated its cosmetic safety standards effective March 2026 to reorganize ingredient classifications and modernize testing protocols for residual contaminants. Manufacturers must verify compliance for hair dyes and UV filters while adopting updated analytical methods to ensure product integrity and align with enhanced market surveillance.

31 Mar 2026, 21:29kcia.or.krSouth Korea

Australia TGA Opens Consultation On Improving Sunscreen Regulation

Australia has initiated a comprehensive consultation to modernize sunscreen regulations, focusing on SPF testing reliability, laboratory oversight, and ingredient standards. Businesses should anticipate stricter quality assurance mandates, updated manufacturing guidelines, and harmonized labeling requirements across therapeutic and cosmetic categories.

28 Mar 2026, 20:27tga.gov.auAustralia

EU/France: HEAL Supports REACH Proposal To Restrict Octocrilene In Cosmetic Products

The Health and Environment Alliance has formally supported a proposed REACH restriction on octocrilene in cosmetics, advocating for an accelerated two-year phase-out period. This signals intensifying NGO pressure for rapid market withdrawal, requiring manufacturers to prioritize reformulation and rigorously vet the environmental safety of alternative UV filters.

27 Mar 2026, 18:41env-health.orgEuropean UnionFrance

Australia Opens Consultation On New IChEMS Standards For PFAS And Other Industrial Chemicals

Australia is proposing new environmental standards that will ban or strictly restrict various PFAS, antioxidants, and flame retardants starting in 2027. Companies must assess supply chain exposure to these substances to prepare for phased-in prohibitions and mandatory environmental management controls.

26 Mar 2026, 19:17dcceew.gov.auAustralia

ECHA SEAC Publishes SEAC-69 Minutes On Octocrilene, Chromium(VI) And PFAS Restrictions

ECHA has advanced socio-economic assessments for major REACH restrictions on PFAS, Chromium(VI), and Octocrilene, with key draft opinions scheduled for March 2026. Affected industries in electronics, aerospace, and cosmetics should prioritize impact assessments to influence derogation discussions and prepare for mandatory substitution timelines.

26 Mar 2026, 12:20echa.europa.euEuropean Union

South Korea MCEE Consults on Adding Methoxychlor, Dechlorane Plus and UV-328 to POPs Regulation

South Korea is proposing to ban Methoxychlor, Dechlorane Plus, and UV-328 to align national persistent organic pollutant controls with the Stockholm Convention. Affected sectors including automotive and electronics must secure supply chains and accelerate substitution efforts before time-limited exemptions expire.

26 Mar 2026, 11:33opinion.lawmaking.go.krSouth Korea

EU / ECHA Adopts CoRAP Substance Evaluation Plan For 2026–2028

ECHA has finalized the 2026–2028 Community Rolling Action Plan, scheduling 27 substances for formal evaluation by Member State authorities. Impacted companies should review registration dossiers and engage with evaluating authorities to address concerns regarding potential future restrictions or SVHC listing.

25 Mar 2026, 12:15echa.europa.euEuropean Union

EU – ECHA RAC And SEAC Advance PFAS Restriction, Chromium(VI) And Octocrilene Work

ECHA scientific committees have finalized key opinions on the universal PFAS restriction and advanced new harmonized classifications for substances including cannabidiol. These milestones signal a shift toward final regulatory decision-making, requiring industry to prepare for imminent socio-economic consultations and stricter product labeling requirements.

20 Mar 2026, 06:32echa.europa.euEuropean Union

Denmark: Consumer Council Tænk Identifies Suspected Endocrine Disruptors in EU Lip Balms

A major consumer safety investigation has identified suspected endocrine disruptors and allergens in a significant portion of lip balms sold across the European market. This high-profile scrutiny increases the likelihood of future EU-wide restrictions on specific UV filters, siloxanes, and mineral oils used in leave-on cosmetic formulations.

12 Mar 2026, 13:51taenk.dkEuropean UnionDenmark

EU SCCS Publishes Working Group Minutes On Cosmetic Ingredients (25–26 February 2026)

The EU Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety has advanced safety assessments for high-priority ingredients including CBD, BHA, and titanium dioxide following its February 2026 meeting. Companies should prepare for potential formulation restrictions or urgent data requests as the committee finalizes opinions and maintains an intensive review schedule through 2026.

12 Mar 2026, 11:17health.ec.europa.euEuropean Union

EU RAC Working Group Issues Second Draft Opinion on Octocrilene Restriction

EU regulators have provisionally endorsed a broad restriction on the UV filter octocrilene following evidence of environmental persistence and aquatic toxicity. Businesses must prioritize the assessment of alternative ingredients and anticipate mandatory reformulation or market withdrawals for impacted personal care products.

9 Mar 2026, 19:04echa.europa.euEuropean Union