The European Commission proposes a reform of the Cosmetics Regulation

Brussels, July 11, 2025 – The European Commission this week presented a legislative proposal to reform Regulation (EC) No. 1223/2009 on cosmetic products. This initiative, part of a broader regulatory simplification package for chemical products, responds to growing concerns in the cosmetics sector regarding the interpretive rigidity of the current legal framework and the obstacles it poses to innovation.

Table of contents

1. Context: accumulated demands of the sector

2. Main proposed amendments

3. Additional simplification and regulatory coherence

4. Next steps

The European Commission proposes a reform of the Cosmetics Regulation

Context: accumulated demands of the sector

Since its entry into force in 2013, the Cosmetics Regulation has been the subject of criticism from stakeholders, who have warned of an increasing administrative burden and a lack of flexibility in the application of certain provisions. Among the main areas of concern is the classification of ingredients of natural origin—such as tea tree oil or spearmint oil—as CMR substances (carcinogenic, mutagenic, or toxic to reproduction), which has significantly impacted product formulations, especially those based on fragrances derived from essential oils.

Other pain points identified by the industry include the lack of consideration of exposure type in toxicological assessments, delays in reporting nanomaterials, and the infrequent updating of the glossary of authorized ingredients.

Main proposed amendments

Among the most significant changes proposed by the Commission is the introduction of a new Article 14a, which will establish a clear procedure for applying for the inclusion of substances such as colorants, preservatives, or UV filters in the regulation's annexes. This amendment aims to provide greater transparency and legal certainty for companies wishing to introduce new substances to the market.

Regarding the controversial Article 15, relating to CMR substances, the proposal clarifies that the prohibition on use will only apply when the hazard is based on dermal exposure. Thus, if a substance presents risks only through ingestion or inhalation, it would not be automatically excluded from cosmetic products.

Likewise, the aim is to streamline the exemption process for substances classified as CMR 1A or 1B, without abandoning the precautionary principle that governs the use of these compounds in cosmetics.

Another important development is the elimination of the prior notification requirement for nanomaterials, as set out in Article 16. From now on, information regarding these components must be included directly in the product safety report, under the responsibility of the Responsible Person.

Additional simplification and regulatory coherence

The Commission has also proposed the deletion of Article 33, thereby eliminating the glossary of common names for ingredients. From now on, the INCI nomenclature, which has already been standardized internationally, will be widely adopted.

For its part, Article 22 will no longer require Member States to provide periodic reports on market surveillance, considering that the ICSMS system already covers this function effectively and in real time.

Finally, Annex I of the Regulation will be updated to more precisely specify the information that must be included on nanomaterials in the safety report, such as chemical name (IUPAC), particle size, and physical and chemical properties.

Next steps

The proposal will now be assessed by the European Parliament and the Council of the European Union within the ordinary legislative process. The Commission hopes that these reforms will contribute to a more balanced regulatory environment that protects consumer health without hindering the competitiveness and innovation of the European cosmetics industry.