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Version Superseded: 01/03/2010
EU Directives are published on this site to aid cross referencing from UK legislation. Since IP completion day (31 December 2020 11.00 p.m.) no amendments have been applied to this version.
Textual Amendments
F1 Inserted by Commission Directive of 26 March 1986 (86/199/EEC).
Preservatives are substances which may be added to cosmetic products for the primary purpose of inhibiting the development of micro-organisms in such products.
The substances marked with the symbol (*) may also be added to cosmetic products in concentration other than those laid down in this Annex for other specific purposes apparent from the presentation of the products, e.g. as deodorants in soaps or as anti-dandruff agents in shampoos.
Other substances used in the formulation of cosmetic products may also have anti-microbial properties and thus help in the preservation of the products, as, for instance, many essential oils and some alcohols. These substances are not included in this Annex.
For the purposes of this list:
‘ Salts ’ is taken to mean: salts of the cations sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium, ammonium and ethanolamines; salts of the anions chloride, bromide, sulphate, acetate.
‘ Esters ’ is taken to mean: esters of methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, butyl, isobutyl, phenyl.
All finished products containing formaldehyde or substances in this Annex and which release formaldehyde must be labelled with the warning ‘ contains formaldehyde ’ where the concentration of formaldehyde in the finished product exceeds 0,05 %.
a Solely for products which might be used for children under three years of age and which remain in prolonged contact with the skin. | ||||
b [F2Concerns any products aimed to be applied on a large part of the body. | ||||
c Solely for products, other than bath products/shower gels and shampoo, which might be used for children under three years of age. | ||||
d Solely for products which might be used for children under three years of age.] ] | ||||
Reference number | Substance | Maximum authorized concentration | Limitations and requirements | Conditions of use and warnings which must be printed on the label |
---|---|---|---|---|
a | b | c | d | e |
[F31 | Benzoic acid (CAS No 65-85-0) and its sodium salt (CAS No 532-32-1) | Rinse-off products, except oral care products: 2,5 % (acid) Oral care products: 1,7 % (acid) Leave-on products: 0,5 % (acid) | ||
1a | Salts of benzoic acid other than that listed under reference number 1 and esters of benzoic acid | 0,5 % (acid) | ] | |
2 | Propionic acid and its salts [F4(*)] | 2 % (acid) | ||
3 | Salicylic acid and its salts (*) | 0,5 % (acid) | Not to be used in [F5mixtures] for children under three years of age, except for shampoos | Not to be used for children under three years of age a |
4 | Sorbic acid (hexa-2,4-dienoic acid) and its salts [F4(*)] | 0,6 % (acid) | ||
5 | Formaldehyde paraformaldehyde [F6(*)] | 0,2 % (except for products for oral hygiene) 0,1 % (products for oral hygiene) expressed as free formaldehyde | Prohibited in aerosol dispensers (sprays) | |
[F7] | ||||
7 | Biphenyl-2-ol (o-phenylphenol) and its salts [F4(*)] | 0,2 % expressed as the phenol | ||
[F38 | Zinc pyrithione (*) (CAS No 13463-41-7) | Hair products: 1,0 % Other products: 0,5 % | Rinse-off products only. No use in products for oral hygiene | ] |
9 | Inorganic sulphites and hydrogen- sulphites (*) | 0,2 % expressed as free SO 2 | ||
[ F8 ] | ||||
11 | Chlorobutanol (INN) | 0,5 % | Prohibited in aerosol dispensers (sprays) | Contains chlorobutanol |
12 | 4-Hydroxybenzoic acid and its salts and esters [F4(*)] | 0,4 % (acid) for 1 ester, 0,8 % (acid) for mixtures of esters | ||
13 | 3-Acetyl-6-methylpyran-2,4 (3H)-dione (Dehydracetic acid) and its salts | 0,6 % (acid) | Prohibited in aerosol dispensers (sprays) | |
[F914 | Formic acid and its sodium salt [F4(+)] | 0,5 % (expressed as acid) | ] | |
[F115 | 3,3‘-Dibromo-4,4‘-hexamethylenedioxydi-benzamidine (Dibromohexamidine) and its salts (including isethionate) | 0,1 % | ||
16 | Thiomersal (INN) | 0,007 % (of Hg) If mixed with other mercurial compounds authorized by this Directive, the maximum concentration of Hg remains fixed at 0,007 % | For eye make-up and eye make-up remover only | Contains thiomersal |
17 | Phenylmercuric salts (including borate) | Ditto | Ditto | Contains phenylmercuric compounds |
18 | Undec-10-enoic acid and salts [F4(*)] | 0,2 % (acid) | See Annex VI, Part 2, No 8 | |
19 | Hexetidine (INN) [F4(*)] | 0,1 % | [F10] | |
20 | 5-Bromo-5-nitro-1,3-dioxane | 0,1 % | Rinse-off products only Avoid formation of nitrosamines [F11] | |
21 | Bronopol (INN) [F4(*)] | 0,1 % | Avoid formation of nitrosamines | |
22 | 2,4-Dichlorobenzyl alcohol [F4(*)] | 0,15 % | ||
23 | Triclocarban (INN) (*) | 0,2 % | Purity criteria:
| |
24 | 4-Chloro-m-cresol [F4(*)] | 0,2 % | Prohibited in the products intended to come into contact with mucous membranes | |
25 | Tricolosan (INN) [F4(*)] | 0,3 % | ||
26 | 4-Chloro-3,5-xylenol [F4(*)] | 0,5 % | ||
27 | 3,3'-Bis (1-hydroxymethyl-2,5-dioxoimidazolidin-4-yl)-1,1'-methylenediurea (‘Imidazolidinyl urea’) [F4(*)] | 0,6 % | ||
28 | Poly (1-hexamethylenebiguanide hydrochloride [F4(*)] | 0,3 % | ||
29 | 2-Phenoxyethanol [F4(*)] | 1,0 % | ||
30 | Hexamethylenetetramine [F4(*)] (methenamine) (INN) | 0,15 % | ||
31 | Methenamine 3-chloroallylochloride (INNM) | 0,2 % | ||
32 | 1-(4-Chlorophenoxy)-1-(imidazol-1-yl)-3,3-dimethylbutan-2-one [F4(*)] | 0,5 % | ||
33 | 1,3-Bis (hydroxymethyl)-5,5-dimethylimidazolidine-2,4-dione [F4(*)] | 0,6 % | ||
34 | Benzyl alchohol (*) | 1,0 % | ||
35 | 1-Hydroxy-4-methyl-6(2,4,4-trimethylpentyl) 2-pyridon and its monoethanolamine salt [F4(*)] | 1,0 % 0,5 % | Products rinsed off For other products | |
[ F4 ] | ||||
37 | 6,6-Dibromo-4,4-dichloro2,2‘-methylene-diphenol (Bromochlorophen) [F4(*)] | 0,1 % | ||
38 | 4-Isopropyl-m-cresol | 0,1 % | ||
39 | Mixture of 5-Chloro-2-methyl-isothiazol-3(2H)-one and 2-methylisothiazol-3(2H)-one with magnesium chloride and magnesium nitrate | [F120,0015 %] (of a mixture in the ratio 3:1 of 5-chloro-2-methylisothiazol 3(2H)-one and 2-methylisothiazol-3 (2H)-one | ] | |
[F1340 | 2-Benzyl-4-chlorophenol (clorophene) | 0.2 % | ] | |
[F1441 | 2-Chloroacetamide | 0,3 % | Contains chloroacetamide | |
42 | Chlorhexidine (INN) and its digluconate, diacetate and dihydrochloride [F4(+)] | 0,3 % expressed as clorhexidine | ||
43 | 1-Phenoxypropan-2-ol [F6(*)] | 1,0 % | Only for rinse-off products | ] |
[F1544 | Alkyl (C12-C22) trimethyl ammonium, bromide and chloride (*) | 0,1 % | ||
45 | 4,4-dimethyl-1,3-oxizalidine | 0,1 % | The pH of the finished product must not be lower than 6 | |
46 | N-(Hydroxymethyl)-N-(dihydroxymethyl-1,3-dioxo-2,5-imidazolidinyl-4)-N'-(hydroxymethyl) urea | 0,5 % | ] | |
[F1647 | 1,6-Di (4-amidinophenoxy)-n-hexane (Hexamidine) and its salts (including isethionate and p-hydroxybenzoate) [F4(+)] | 0,1 % | ] | |
[F948 | Glutaraldehyde (Pentane-1,5-dial) | 0,1 % | Prohibited in aerosols (sprays) | Contains glutaraldehyde (where glutaraldehyde concentration in the finished product exceeds 0,05 %) |
49 | 5-Ethyl-3,7-dioxa-1-azabicyclo [3.3.0] octane | 0,3 % | Prohibited in oral hygiene products and in products intended to come into contact with mucous membranes | ] |
[F1750 | 3-(p-chlorophenoxy)-propane-1,2 diol (chlorphenesin) | 0,3 % | ||
51 | Sodium hydroxymethylamino acetate (Sodium Hydroxymethylglycinate) | 0,5 % | ||
52 | Silver chloride deposited on titanium dioxide | 0,004 % calculated as AgCl | 20 % AgCl (W/W) on TiO 2 . Prohibited in products for children under three years of age, in oral hygiene products and in products intended for application around the eyes and on the lips | ] |
[F1853 | Benzethonium Chloride (INCI) | 0,1 % | (a) Rinse-off products,(b) Leave-on products other than for oral care use | ] |
[F1954 | Belzalkonium chloride, bromide and saccharinate (+) | 0,1% calculated as benzalkonium chloride | Avoid contact with eyes] | |
[F2055 | Benzylhemiformal | 0,15 % | Only for products to be removed by rinsing | |
[F2156 | iodopropynyl butylcarbamate (IPBC) 3-iodo-2-propynylbutylcarbamate CAS No: 55406-53-6 | (a) rinse-off products: 0,02 %(b) leave-on products: 0,01 %, except in deodorants/antiperspirants: 0,0075 % | Not to be used in oral hygiene and lip care products | (a) ‘ Not to be used for children under three years of age ’c(b) ‘ Not to be used for children under three years of age] ]’d |
[F2257 | Methylisothiazolinone (INCI) | 0,01 % | ] |
Textual Amendments
F2 Inserted by Commission Directive 2007/22/EC of 17 April 2007 amending Council Directive 76/768/EEC, concerning cosmetic products, for the purposes of adapting Annexes IV and VI thereto to technical progress (Text with EEA relevance).
F3 Substituted by Commission Directive 2007/17/EC of 22 March 2007 amending Council Directive 76/768/EEC, concerning cosmetic products, for the purposes of adapting Annexes III and VI thereto to technical progress (Text with EEA relevance).
F4 Deleted by Commission Directive 2007/17/EC of 22 March 2007 amending Council Directive 76/768/EEC, concerning cosmetic products, for the purposes of adapting Annexes III and VI thereto to technical progress (Text with EEA relevance).
F5 Substituted by Directive 2008/112/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 16 December 2008 amending Council Directives 76/768/EEC, 88/378/EEC, 1999/13/EC and Directives 2000/53/EC, 2002/96/EC and 2004/42/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council in order to adapt them to Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008 on classification, labelling and packaging of substances and mixtures (Text with EEA relevance).
F6 Inserted by Commission Directive 2007/17/EC of 22 March 2007 amending Council Directive 76/768/EEC, concerning cosmetic products, for the purposes of adapting Annexes III and VI thereto to technical progress (Text with EEA relevance).
F8 Deleted by Commission Directive 2007/22/EC of 17 April 2007 amending Council Directive 76/768/EEC, concerning cosmetic products, for the purposes of adapting Annexes IV and VI thereto to technical progress (Text with EEA relevance).
F9 Inserted by Commission Directive of 29 June 1994 (94/32/EC).
F10 Deleted by Commission Directive of 2 March 1988 (88/233/EEC).
F12 Inserted by Commission Directive of 21 February 1989 (89/174/EEC).
F13 Inserted by Commission Directive of 2 February 1987 (87/137/EEC).
F14 Inserted by Commission Directive of 2 March 1988 (88/233/EEC).
F15 Inserted by Commission Directive of 12 March 1991 (91/184/EEC).
F16 Inserted by Commission Directive of 21 October 1992 (92/86/EEC).
F17 Inserted by Commission Directive of 25 June 1996 (96/41/EC).
F18 Substituted by Commission Directive 2005/42/EC of 20 June 2005 amending Council Directive 76/768/EEC, concerning cosmetic products, for the purposes of adapting Annexes II, IV and VI thereto to technical progress (Text with EEA relevance).
F19 Inserted by Commission Directive of 3 September 1998 (98/62/EC).
F20 Inserted by Commission Directive 2000/6/EC of 29 February 2000 adapting to technical progress Annexes II, III, VI and VII to Council Directive 76/768/EEC on the approximation of the laws of the Member States relating to cosmetic products (Text with EEA relevance).
Reference number | Substance | Maximum authorized concentration | Limitations and requirements | Conditions of use and warnings which must be printed on the label | Allowed until |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
a | b | c | d | e | f |
[F11] | |||||
[F23] | |||||
[F11] | |||||
[F24] | |||||
[F11] | |||||
[F24] | |||||
[F10] | |||||
[F7] | |||||
[F10] | |||||
[F7] | |||||
[F10] | |||||
[F25] | |||||
[F26] | |||||
[F24] | |||||
[F10] | |||||
[F11] | |||||
[F27] | |||||
[ F28 ] | |||||
[F10] | |||||
[F11] | |||||
[F29] | ] | ||||
[ F28 ] | |||||
[ F23 ] |
Textual Amendments
F23 Deleted by Commission Directive of 25 June 1996 (96/41/EC).
F25 Deleted by Commission Directive of 10 July 1995 (95/34/EC).
F28 Deleted by Commission Directive 2000/6/EC of 29 February 2000 adapting to technical progress Annexes II, III, VI and VII to Council Directive 76/768/EEC on the approximation of the laws of the Member States relating to cosmetic products (Text with EEA relevance).
F29 Deleted by Commission Directive of 29 June 1994 (94/32/EC).
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