Published: 26 October 2023  (Updated: 08 November 2023)

Cosmetic Ingredients added to the GB Mandatory Classification List

On 20 October 2023, the UK Government added 98 chemical substances to the GB Mandatory Classification List (MCL).  This introduces new mandatory classifications under Article 37 of the GB Classification, Labelling and Packaging (CLP) Regulation for these substances.

Below is a list of substances which have an INCI name and may therefore be used as cosmetic ingredients that have a proposed Carcinogen, Mutagen or toxic for Reprotoxic (CMR) classification, triggering Article 15 of the UK Cosmetics Regulation (UKCR).

  • Methylene di-t-butylcresol (CMR 1B), will be added to Annex II of the UKCR
  • Methyl salicylate (CMR 2), the UK cosmetics industry is defending continued use of this ingredient (the dossier was submitted to the Scientific Advisory Group on Consumer Safety – SAG-CS), it may be added to Annex III of the UKCR
  • Methyl isobutyl ketone (MIBK) (CMR 2), will be added to Annex II of the UKCR
  • Benzophenone (CMR 1B), will be added to Annex II of the UKCR
  • Theophylline (CMR 1B), will be added to Annex II of the UKCR
  • Trimethylolpropane triacrylate (CMR 2), will be added to Annex II of the UKCR
  • Melamine (CMR 2), will be added to Annex II of the UKCR
  • Margosa (azadirachta indica) extract (CMR 2), will be added to Annex II of the UKCR

The application date of the harmonised classifications is 20 April 2025.

On 7 November 2023, the UK Government notified the update to the GB MCL to the World Trade Organisation (WTO).

For any bans or restrictions to be implemented under the UKCR, the Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS) will have to publish a Statutory Instrument adding the substances to Annex II or Annex III of the UKCR.  Possible transition periods will be established through the corresponding annex amendment.  For more details about the CMR management process under the UKCR, please see this news item.

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