Silver in Cosmetics: EU Proposes Expanded Uses as UK Publishes New Safety Opinion
The regulatory landscape for silver in cosmetic products is evolving in both the European Union and the United Kingdom, with important differences emerging between the two markets.
The European Commission has proposed expanding the permitted uses of micron-sized silver powder following an updated scientific assessment by the Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety (SCCS). Meanwhile, the UK's Scientific Advisory Group on Chemical Safety of Non-Food and Non-Medicinal Consumer Products (SAG-CS) has published its final opinion on acceptable concentrations of micron-sized particulate silver in different cosmetic product categories.
These developments could have significant implications for cosmetic manufacturers, particularly those marketing silver-containing products in both jurisdictions. However, the EU proposal and the UK scientific opinion are at different stages of their respective regulatory processes and should not be interpreted as immediate authorisations for new cosmetic uses.
1. European Union: Proposed expansion of permitted silver uses
Following the adoption of Commission Regulation (EU) 2026/78, also known as Omnibus Act VIII, the use of silver in cosmetic products became subject to additional restrictions from 1 May 2026.
Under the currently applicable provisions, micron-sized silver powder is permitted in toothpaste and mouthwash at concentrations of up to 0.05%, and as a colourant (CI 77820) in lip products and eyeshadows at concentrations of up to 0.2%.
However, following updated scientific advice from the SCCS, the European Commission notified a draft amendment on 30 July 2026 proposing to expand the permitted uses of micron-sized silver powder in cosmetic products.
The proposed maximum concentrations are:
Cosmetic product category | Proposed maximum concentration |
Rinse-off products | 0.2% |
Leave-on products | 0.3% |
Nail products | 0.3% |
Oral hygiene products | 0.2% |
Mouthwash intended for children | 0.05% |
These concentrations reflect the conclusions of the latest SCCS scientific assessment, SCCS/1687/25.
Public Health
The proposed amendment would also expand the permitted use of silver as a colourant (CI 77820) in leave-on and nail products at concentrations of up to 0.3%, subject to the applicable conditions.
Importantly, this proposal does not constitute a general authorisation for all forms of silver.
The amendment specifically concerns silver powder (CAS No. 7440-22-4) with a particle diameter greater than 100 nm and smaller than 1 mm, subject to the relevant specifications and conditions of use.
The SCCS assessment does not cover propellant-based spray products, and the proposed expansion does not extend to applications that may lead to lung exposure through inhalation.
The draft also envisages retrospective application from 1 May 2026, the date on which Commission Regulation (EU) 2026/78 became applicable.
For manufacturers affected by the restrictions introduced under Omnibus Act VIII, these developments could provide an opportunity to reassess existing formulations and explore additional cosmetic applications.
However, the amendment remains a draft. The proposed expanded uses should not be treated as legally authorised until the final regulation has been formally adopted and entered into force. Manufacturers must continue to comply with the applicable requirements in the meantime.
2. Great Britain: SAG-CS publishes its final opinion on silver
Meanwhile, the UK's Scientific Advisory Group on Chemical Safety of Non-Food and Non-Medicinal Consumer Products (SAG-CS) has published its final Opinion 26 on the safety of micron-sized particulate silver in cosmetic products.
The assessment concerns silver particles with a diameter greater than 100 nm and smaller than 1 mm (CAS No. 7440-22-4).
Following its scientific evaluation, the SAG-CS identified the following maximum concentrations as acceptable under the assessed conditions:
Cosmetic product category | Maximum concentration considered acceptable |
Leave-on cosmetics, excluding lip products | 0.3% |
Lip products | 0.2% |
Rinse-off cosmetics, excluding mouthwash and toothpaste | 0.3% |
Mouthwash and toothpaste | 0.05% |
These conclusions do not cover propellant-based spray products, as such applications were not included in the safety assessment. The SAG-CS also identified the need for a more comprehensive risk assessment of exposure in children and adolescents when sufficient data and an appropriate methodology become available.
Unlike the EU proposal, the UK scientific opinion identifies a higher acceptable concentration for conventional rinse-off products, while maintaining a lower concentration for toothpaste and mouthwash.
Nevertheless, the publication of a final scientific opinion does not automatically introduce new legal concentration limits.
The SAG-CS acts as an independent scientific advisory body, providing advice to the Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS). Decisions regarding amendments to UK legislation are made by the relevant authorities, taking scientific evidence into consideration.
Consequently, manufacturers should distinguish between the concentrations considered acceptable by the SAG-CS and the legally binding requirements currently applicable in Great Britain.
It is also important to distinguish between Great Britain and Northern Ireland. The regulatory framework discussed in this section applies to England, Scotland and Wales. Northern Ireland continues to follow the applicable EU cosmetics legislation under the Windsor Framework.
3. What do these developments mean for cosmetic manufacturers?
The EU proposal and the UK scientific opinion demonstrate that the regulatory treatment of micron-sized silver may evolve differently across the two markets.
For manufacturers marketing silver-containing cosmetics internationally, a concentration considered acceptable under one scientific assessment should not automatically be assumed to satisfy the requirements applicable in another jurisdiction.
In particular, brands should review the following aspects of their products:
Ingredient specifications: Verify the identity, particle size, structure and purity of the silver ingredient, including whether it meets the specifications of the material assessed by the relevant scientific bodies.
Product category and concentration: Assess the concentration of silver in the finished formulation and confirm the conditions applicable to the intended cosmetic product category.
Intended function: Determine whether silver is used as a colourant or for another technological function, as different regulatory provisions may apply.
Product safety documentation: Review the Cosmetic Product Safety Report (CPSR) and Product Information File (PIF), taking the latest scientific evidence and relevant exposure scenarios into consideration.
Market-specific compliance: Monitor the adoption of the final EU amendment and any future changes to the cosmetic legislation applicable in Great Britain.
For manufacturers affected by Omnibus Act VIII, the proposed EU amendment could create new opportunities to reassess existing formulations and potentially reintroduce certain silver-containing products once the revised provisions become legally applicable.
In Great Britain, the SAG-CS opinion provides additional scientific evidence that manufacturers and safety assessors should consider when evaluating silver-containing cosmetic products.
The key consideration for brands operating in both markets is to ensure that each formulation complies with the applicable legal requirements, rather than relying solely on the concentrations identified in either scientific assessment.
4. How Belab Services can assisst
At Belab Services, we support cosmetic brands in navigating evolving regulatory requirements across the European Union, the United Kingdom and international markets.
Our regulatory specialists assist manufacturers with ingredient compliance assessments, formulation reviews, Cosmetic Product Safety Reports (CPSR), Product Information Files (PIF), labelling compliance and Responsible Person services.
For brands using silver-containing ingredients, our team can help assess the implications of these developments, review existing formulations and identify the regulatory requirements applicable to each target market.
Are your silver-containing cosmetic products prepared for the evolving EU and UK requirements?
Contact Belab Services at contact@belabservices.com to discuss your formulations and ensure your cosmetic products meet the applicable regulatory and safety requirements.
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