Regulation (EU) 2026/909: New restrictions on substances in cosmetic products
03/05/2026 | By Ivan Milenković
European Commission Regulation (EU) 2026/909 was published on April 28, 2026 in the Official Journal of the European Union. It enters into force on May 18, 2026, and most of the new restrictions apply from January 1, 2027.
This is the second time since the start of the year that the core Cosmetic Products Regulation (EC 1223/2009) has been amended. At the beginning of the year, restrictions on retinol, homosalate and kojic acid entered into force. The new regulation continues the same process and amends Annexes II, III, V and VI.
What the changes are
Triphenyl phosphate – a complete ban
Triphenyl phosphate (CAS 115-86-6, INCI: Triphenyl Phosphate) is added to the list of prohibited substances in Annex II (entry 1752). The substance was used as a plasticizer in cosmetic products.
In its opinion of July 25, 2024 (SCCS/1664/24), the Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety (SCCS) could not confirm the safety of this substance because the data submitted were not sufficient to rule out potential genotoxicity. On that basis, the Commission concluded that there is a potential health risk and decided on a ban.
From January 1, 2027, cosmetic products containing this substance may not be placed on the EU market. From January 1, 2028, they may not be made available on the market either.
Citral – new restrictions by product category
Citral (CAS 5392-40-5, INCI: Citral) is a fragrance substance found in a large number of essential oils: lemongrass, lime, verbena, bergamot, lemon oil. Until now it was regulated as a fragrance allergen, with an obligation to list it on the label above certain thresholds.
The new regulation introduces specific maximum concentrations in the finished product by category (Annex III, entry 70):
From January 1, 2027:
| Product category | Maximum conc. |
|---|---|
| Lip products | 0.11% |
| Deodorants and antiperspirants | 0.032% |
| Eye products and make-up | 0.65% |
| Fragrance products (spray and non-spray) | 0.6% |
| Leave-on skin products | 0.15% |
| Oral products | 0.35% |
| Leave-on hair products | 1.2% |
| Rinse-off hair and skin products | 1.2% |
| Leave-on products for the anogenital area | 0.063% |
For companies that use essential oils as raw materials, this means checking the citral content of each oil and recalculating the concentration in the final formulation.
Benzyl salicylate – restrictions by category
Until now, benzyl salicylate (CAS 118-58-1) was regulated only as a fragrance allergen with a labelling obligation. In its opinion of October 26, 2023 (SCCS/1656/23), the SCCS concluded that the substance is safe up to certain maximum concentrations.
The new regulation introduces specific limits (Annex III, entry 75) from January 1, 2027:
| Category | Maximum conc. |
|---|---|
| Fragrance products | 4% |
| Rinse-off skin and hair products (except shower gel) | 0.5% |
| Shower gel | 1.3% |
| Leave-on skin and hair products (non-spray, except body lotion) | 0.5% |
| Leave-on hair products (spray/aerosol) | 0.5% |
| Body lotion | 0.7% |
| Make-up and make-up removers | 0.2% |
| Oral products | 0.004% |
| Deodorants (spray/aerosol) | 0.91% |
Aluminium ingredients – a new table of restrictions
For aluminium ingredients not already covered by existing entries in Annexes III, IV and VI (entry 379), the new regulation introduces restrictions by product category, based on the SCCS opinion of March 27, 2024 (SCCS/1662/23).
Key values:
| Category | Maximum conc. (as Al) |
|---|---|
| Non-spray antiperspirants and deodorants | 7.73% |
| Aerosol antiperspirants and deodorants | 3.24% |
| Toothpaste | 3.18% |
| Lip products | 14.62% |
| Rinse-off body and face products | 0.89% |
| Leave-on hair products (spray, potential inhalation) | 0.15% |
Soluble zinc salts – oral products
Restrictions on zinc acetate, zinc chloride, zinc gluconate, zinc citrate and zinc sulphate (Annex III, entry 24) are introduced for oral products:
- Toothpaste (users over 1 year of age): maximum 1% as zinc
- Toothpaste (children from 6 months to 1 year): maximum 0.72% as zinc
- Mouthwash (users over 6 years of age): maximum 0.1% as zinc
- For other products, the existing restriction of 1% as zinc remains.
Acetylated vetiver oil – restrictions for fragrance substances
Acetylated vetiver oil (CAS 84082-84-8, INCI: Acetylated Vetiveria Zizanioides Root Oil) gets restrictions by category (Annex III, entry 380):
- Fragrance products: 0.9%
- Deodorants and make-up: 0.05%
- Leave-on products: 0.1%
- Rinse-off products: 0.2%
New hair dyes
The regulation introduces restrictions for three new substances in hair dyes (Annex III, entries 381-384):
- HC Blue No 18: maximum 0.35% (oxidative and non-oxidative hair dyes)
- HC Yellow No 16: maximum 1% (oxidative), 1.5% (non-oxidative)
- HC Red No 18: maximum 1.5% (oxidative), 0.5% (non-oxidative)
- Hydroxypropyl-p-phenylenediamine: maximum 2% (oxidative dyes)
These restrictions take effect immediately (there is no transition period until 2027).
Silver zinc zeolite – rehabilitation
An unusual direction: silver zinc zeolites (CAS 130328-20-0, INCI: Ammonium Silver Zinc Aluminium Silicate) are removed from the list of prohibited substances and added to the list of permitted preservatives (Annex V, entry 61).
The substance had been banned as toxic for reproduction. Based on a new SCCS opinion (SCCS/1650/23), it was concluded that it is safe up to 1% in spray deodorants and powder foundations, provided that the silver content of the zeolite does not exceed 2.5%.
DHHB (UV filter) – contaminant limit
For the UV filter DHHB (Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, Annex VI, entry 28), a maximum permitted level of 10 ppm is introduced for the contaminant di-n-hexyl phthalate (DnHexP). The limit applies from January 1, 2027.
Deadlines and transition periods
The regulation enters into force on May 18, 2026. Most of the new restrictions apply from January 1, 2027 for placing products on the market and from January 1, 2028 for products being made available on the market.
The exceptions are the restrictions for the new hair dyes and the rehabilitation of silver zinc zeolite — this change takes effect immediately.
Obligations for our exporters
The Serbian Rulebook on cosmetic products is not automatically aligned with every new EU regulation. For products intended exclusively for the Serbian market, the domestic regulations in force remain the reference framework until they are amended.
For companies exporting to the EU, the new restrictions are directly relevant. Formulations containing citral, benzyl salicylate or aluminium ingredients above the new limits will not be able to be placed on the EU market from January 1, 2027.
The recommendation is to review formulations and any necessary changes during 2026, while there is enough time for corrections.
References:
This blog post is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. For specific situations, consult a licensed chemical adviser or a lawyer specialising in chemical regulation.
← Back to blog