Why are some substances in cosmetic products restricted?
Check What You Buy! Choose Cosmetics Wisely with InfoCons!
As part of the campaign “Check What You Buy! Choose Cosmetics Wisely!”, InfoCons works to inform and educate consumers about the risks associated with the use of non-compliant cosmetic products, by promoting accurate, science-based information supported by the expertise of specialists in the field of health.
Behind every ban or restriction on a cosmetic ingredient lies a reason connected to the consumer’s health. Understanding these mechanisms helps consumers trust compliant products.
The basic principle: consumer safety
Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009 aims to ensure a high level of health protection. Each ingredient is scientifically assessed by the Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety (SCCS), and the result is reflected in a system of annexes: Annex II (more than 1,600 prohibited substances), Annex III (restricted substances, several hundred), Annex IV (colourants), Annex V (preservatives) and Annex VI (UV filters). A substance is restricted or banned when the data show a risk that cannot be managed otherwise.
CMR substances – a strict rule
A special category is substances classified as carcinogenic, mutagenic or toxic for reproduction (CMR). According to Article 15 of Regulation 1223/2009, substances classified as CMR (categories 1A, 1B or 2) under the CLP Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008 are, as a general principle, banned in cosmetics, with exceptions possible only under very strict conditions. The lists are updated regularly through “omnibus” regulations (a mechanism introduced in 2018). For example, through Regulation (EU) 2021/1902, 23 CMR substances were banned in cosmetics from 1 March 2022, including the fragrance substance Lilial.
Assessing exposure from all sources
An important principle is that the safety of a substance is assessed taking into account exposure from all sources – cosmetics, but also food, chemicals or medicines. Thus, even if an ingredient is safe in a single product, its use may be limited to prevent an overly high cumulative exposure.
What this means for consumers
– Restrictions and bans are not bureaucracy but evidence-based protective measures.
– A compliant product respects all these rules; that is why the lawful source of the product matters.
– Check any alerts about non-compliant products in the InfoCons App.
Conclusion
Substances are restricted or banned precisely to protect consumers’ health, through a scientific and transparent process. Through the campaign “Check What You Buy! Choose Cosmetics Wisely!”, InfoCons explains why these rules work in your favour.
European alerts on non-compliant products can be consulted directly in the InfoCons App.
Official sources: Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009 – Article 15 and Annexes II–VI; Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008 (CLP); the “omnibus” regulations, for example Regulation (EU) 2021/1902; European Commission; opinions of the Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety (SCCS).
Signed: InfoCons Consumer Protection – Communication Department