The Cosmetic Products (Safety) (Amendment) Regulations 1996

Explanatory Note

(This note is not part of the Regulations)

These Regulations amend the Cosmetic Products (Safety) Regulations 1989 (S.I. 1989/2233) (“the principal Regulations”) as amended by the Cosmetic Products (Safety) (Amendment) Regulations 1990 (S.I. 1990/1812), the Cosmetic Products (Safety) (Amendment) Regulations 1991 (S.I. 1991/447), the Cosmetic Products (Safety) (Amendment) Regulations 1992 (S.I. 1992/1525), the Cosmetic Products (Safety) (Amendment) Regulations 1993 (S.I. 1993/1539), the Cosmetic Products (Safety) (Amendment) Regulations 1994 (S.I. 1994/1529) and the Cosmetic Products (Safety) (Amendment) Regulations 1995 (S.I. 1995/1478).

They implement Commission Directive 95/34/EC (O.J. No. L167, 18.7.1995, p.19) by amending the principal Regulations to—

1.  prohibit the use of furocoumarins (including bergapten(e), methoxypsoralens, psoralen and trioxysalen) in cosmetic products, except natural content of essences and except for furocoumarins in sun protection and bronzing products in which the furocoumarin content is below 1 mg/kg (regulation 2(b));

2.  prohibit the use in cosmetic products of benzethonium chloride, cells, tissues and products of human origin, musk ambrette and phenolphthalein (regulation 2(b));

3.  delete phenolphthalein from the list of substances provisionally allowed to be used in cosmetic products (regulation 2(c));

4.  delete benzethonium chloride from the list of preservatives provisionally allowed to be used in cosmetic products (regulation 2(d));

5.  extend until 30th June 1996 the permitted use in cosmetic products of five preservatives listed as entry numbers 2, 16, 21, 29 and 30 in Part II of Schedule 4 to the principal Regulations (regulation 2(d));

6.  add octocrylene to the list of UV filters permitted for use in cosmetic products, subject to a maximum concentration of 10 per cent (expressed as acid) (regulation 2(e)); and

7.  extend until 30th June 1996, subject to restrictions, the permitted use in cosmetic products of 12 UV filters listed as entry numbers 2, 5, 6, 12, 13, 17, 25, 26, 29, 32, 33 and 34 in Part II of Schedule 5 to the principal Regulations (regulation 2(f)).

A compliance cost assessment is available, copies of which have been placed in the libraries of both Houses of Parliament. Copies are also available from the Consumer Affairs and Competition Policy Directorate of the Department of Trade and Industry, Room 4.D.2, 1 Victoria Street, London SWIH 0ET.