OPSS Survey on the Impact of Methyl Salicylate Restrictions

OPSS is conducting an online survey looking into the impact of the proposed restrictions on Methyl Salicylate for products place on the market in Great Britain. The SAG-CS published an opinion on 8 March 2024, as reported in this news item. The proposed legislation resulting from the SAG-CS opinion was notified to the WTO on 25 January 2025 (see news item)

The Annex III entry for methyl salicylate is proposed as below:

• rinse-off skin and hair products (except hand wash products) at 0.02% (products intended for children 0.5-1 years), and at 0.06% (products intended for children above 1 year and adults);
• hand wash products at 0.02% (products intended for children 0.5-1 years), and at 0.6% (products intended for children above 1 year and adults);
• leave on skin products (except face make-up, spray/aerosol body lotion, spray/aerosol deodorant and hydroalcoholic-based fragrances) and hair products (non-aerosol) at 0.02% (products intended for children 0.5-1 years), and at 0.06% (products intended for children above 1 year and adults);
• lipsticks and lip balm at 0.02% (products intended for children 0.5-1 years), and at 0.03% (products intended for children above 1 year and adults);
• face make-up products at 0.05%;
• eye make-up products and make-up remover at 0.002%;
• toothpaste at 2.5%;
• mouthwash at 0.1% (products intended for children 6 to 10 years), and at 0.4% (products intended for children above 10 years and adults);
• mouth spray at 0.65%;
• hydroalcoholic-based fragrances at 0.6%;
• deodorant spray/aerosol products 0.003%;
• hair products (spray/aerosol) at 0.009%
• body lotion spray at 0.04%.

The proposed placing on the market deadline is 30 September 2025; the proposed making available on the market (off-shelf) deadline is 31 March 2026

The survey, which should take 5-10 minutes to complete seeks to assess the impact of the restrictions through a general view with the possibility of providing additional information and context.  

The survey will be open until 3 March 2025, and is accessible here.