News
06.03.2023 - Cosmetics
New Guidelines for Formaldehyde in Cosmetics – Amendment to Annex V of Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009
The use of free formaldehyde has been banned since May 2019 (Annex II No. 1577 Regulation (EC) No. 1223/2009).
For preservation, so-called formaldehyde releasers can be used, which can release small amounts of formaldehyde. These are subject to maximum quantity restrictions according to Annex V of the EU Cosmetics Regulation. Formaldehyde releasers include the following substances, among others (under "further information," list not exhaustive):
Formaldehyde and formaldehyde releasers are criticized because formaldehyde is classified as carcinogenic (IARC (International Agency for Research on Cancer) Category 1).
In 2022, with the amendment Regulation (EU) No. 2022/1181, Annex V of Regulation (EC) No. 1223/2009 was supplemented with the specification that finished products must bear the warning "releases formaldehyde" if the total concentration of released formaldehyde exceeds 10 ppm. A transition period until July 31, 2024, applies on the Union market.
Source:
Commission Regulation (EU) 2022/1181 of July 8, 2022 amending the introduction of Annex V to Regulation (EC) No. 1223/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council on cosmetic products
Regulation (EC) No. 1223/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council of November 30, 2009, on cosmetic products