EC Amends Cosmetics Regulation, Prohibiting and Restricting Certain Nanomaterials

On March 15, 2024, the European Commission (EC) published in the Official Journal of the European Union an amendment to the Cosmetics Regulation. The following nanomaterials have been added to Annex II (substances prohibited in cosmetic products). From February 1, 2025, cosmetic products containing these substances shall not be placed on the European Union (EU) market. From November 1, 2025, cosmetic products containing these substances shall not be made available on the EU market:

• Styrene/Acrylates copolymer (nano) and Sodium Styrene/Acrylates copolymer (nano);

• Copper (nano) and Colloidal Copper (nano);

• Colloidal silver (nano);

• Gold (nano), Colloidal Gold (nano), Gold Thioethylamino Hyaluronic Acid (nano), and Acetyl heptapeptide-9 Colloidal gold (nano); and

• Platinum (nano), Colloidal Platinum (nano), and Acetyl tetrapeptide-17 Colloidal Platinum (nano).

The following nanomaterial has been added to Annex III (substances that are banned except under the conditions indicated). From February 1, 2025, cosmetic products containing this substance and not complying with the restrictions shall not be placed on the EU market. From November 1, 2025, cosmetic products containing that substance shall not be made available on the EU market:

• Hydroxyapatite (nano).