On April 13, 2022, the United Kingdom notified the draft “The Toys and Cosmetic Products (Restriction of Chemical Substances) Regulations 2022” to the World Trade Organization. According to the document, the measures will amend permitted levels of certain chemicals in both the UK Toys and Cosmetics Regulations.
With notification no. G/TBT/N/GBR/47, the UK fulfilled a legal international trade obligation according to article 10 of the Agreement on Technical Barriers to Trade.
Despite the absence of official public communication, the Office for Product Safety and Standards has alerted interested parties and associations of upcoming changes in Cosmetics Regulation Annex II and III restrictions as early as April 6, 2022.[/vc_column_text]
The amendments to the Regulations were finally published on June 15, 2022 as follows:
Amendments to the UK Toys Regulations
In the case of the Toys Regulations, the changes refer to the permitted limits of Aluminium, Aniline, and Formaldehyde in toys either
- intended for use by children under 36 months or
- in other toys intended to be placed in the
You can check the complete table of the restrictions here.
Moreover, the amendment foresees the prohibition of three new allergens in toys: Atranol, Chloratranol, and Methyl Heptine Carbonate.
Amendments to the UK Cosmetics Regulation
On the other hand, the UK Cosmetics Regulation was amended as follows:
- New restrictions for Salicylic acid when it is not used as a preservative: up to 0.5% in body lotion, eye shadow, mascara, eyeliner, lipstick, and roll-on deodorant. This new limit is added to those already in place:
-
- Up to 3% in rinse-off cosmetics;
- Up to 2% in other products.
- Prohibition of Deoxyarbutin;
- Ban 35 new cosmetic ingredients classified as Carcinogenic, Mutagenic or Reprotoxic
(CMR) under GB Classification, Labelling and Packaging (CLP) Regulation. Among them, there are Butylphenyl Methylpropional (Lilial) and Zinc Pyrithione. You can find the complete list here.
The entry into force is envisaged for:
- December 15, 2022, in the case of:
- The new permitted levels of Aluminium, Aniline, and Formaldehyde in toys;
- The ban of Deoxyarbutin in cosmetic products;
- The new restrictions on the use of Salicylic acid in cosmetic products.
- October 15, 2022, for all other updates.
Important Note
According to the transitional provisions 4(3) and 4(4) of Regulation 4, the October 15 and December 15 dates will be subject to a grace period.
In particular, “notwithstanding the amendments in regulation 3(3), (4), (5), (7) and (8) cosmetic products that are placed on the market prior to 15th October 2022 can be made available on the market until 15th December 2022” (UK Statutory Instruments, 2022).
Likewise, “notwithstanding the amendments in regulation 3(2) and (6) cosmetic products that are placed on the market prior to 15th December 2022 can be made available on the market until 15th March 2023.” (UK Statutory Instruments, 2022).
If you wish to learn more about the existing regulatory landscape in UK Cosmetics, Obelis UK remains at your disposal.
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Thanos Fotiadis
Regulatory Affairs Department
25.07.2022
Are you an Medical Device or Cosmetic manufacturer wishing to market your devices on the UK market? Contact Obelis UK, your UK Responsible Person today!
References:
WTO. (2022). 2022 No. COMSUMER PROTECTION The Toys and Cosmetic Products (Restriction of Chemical Substances) Regulations 2022. Retrieved on 03/05/2022 from https://members.wto.org/crnattachments/2022/TBT/GBR/22_2823_00_e.pdf
UK Statutory Instruments (2011) No. 1881, The Toys (Safety) Regulations 2011. Retrieved on 15/07/2022 from https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2011/1881/contents/made
Regulations originating from the EU (2009) No. 1223, Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council. Retrieved on 15/07/2022 from https://www.legislation.gov.uk/eur/2009/1223/contents
UK Statutory Instruments (2022) No. 659 , The Toys and Cosmetic Products (Restriction of Chemical Substances) Regulations 2022. Retrieved on 15/07/2022 from https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2022/659/regulation/4/made