Jun 23, 2026 - Foods
Omnibus VI reform package for cosmetics published
On June 16, 2026, the European Parliament and the European Council reached an agreement on the so-called “Omnibus VI“ reform package of the EU Commission. This package aims to modernize the regulations for chemical products and specifically to simplify the requirements for cosmetics under the Regulation (EC) No. 1223/2009.
A key point of the agreement concerns the handling of cosmetics containing prohibited CMR substances. These products must in the future be removed from the market more quickly than originally envisaged by the Commission — though not quite as fast as currently applicable.
If no exemption is applied for a CMR substance, the following will apply in the future:
- After the prohibition comes into force, companies have six months to stop placing them on the market
- Twelve months remain until the products must be completely removed from the market.
Originally, the Commission had proposed transition periods twice as long.
For companies wishing to continue using a CMR substance, separate rules apply. They can apply for an exemption within up to twelve months after the official classification of the substance. Only after the decision on this application do the phase-out periods start:
- Rejection for safety reasons: three months to cease marketing, nine months to a complete market ban.
- Rejection due to available alternatives: 24 months and 36 months, respectively.
A special regulation for CMR substances with oral or inhalative exposure, originally planned by the Commission, was rejected by Parliament and Council.
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