Search Legislation

The Cosmetic Products (Safety) Regulations 2003

 Help about what version

What Version

  • Latest available (Revised)
  • Original (As made)

Status:

This is the original version (as it was originally made). This item of legislation is currently only available in its original format.

Regulations 5(2) and 7(2)

SCHEDULE 6LIST OF PRESERVATIVES WHICH COSMETIC PRODUCTS MUST NOT CONTAIN EXCEPT SUBJECT TO RESTRICTIONS

In this Schedule, the matters specified in columns 3, 4, 5 and 6 which apply to a particular substance are those set out to the right of its name as mentioned in column 2; and the matters specified in columns 4, 5 and 6 which apply in any particular case are those set out to the right of the matter specified in column 3 which applies in that case. The substance may not be used or contained other than in the types of product specified in column 3. The concentration of the substance, when it is used as a preservative, in a product may not exceed the limit set out in column 4. Where a product is intended to be mixed with another product in specified proportions before use, the level of concentration shall be calculated by reference to the mixture. Other requirements are specified in column 5.

In column 4 of this Schedule, “A” indicates that the concentration of the substance in a product may exceed the limit set out in that column provided that—

(a)the presence of any excess of the substance in a product over the concentration so set out is not for the primary purpose of inhibiting the development of micro-organisms; and

(b)the purpose for which any such excess is present in the product is apparent from the labelling of the product.

In this Schedule—

“salts” means salts of the cations sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium, ammonium and ethanolamines and of the anions chloride, bromide, sulphate and acetate;

“esters” means esters of methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, butyl, isobutyl and phenyl.

In column 4 of this Schedule, the percentage concentration is measured by reference to mass (m/m) unless a contrary intention appears.

All preservative substances containing formaldehyde or any substances named in this Schedule which release formaldehyde must be labelled with the warning “contains formaldehyde” when the concentration of formaldehyde in the final product exceeds 0.05 per cent.

Names which appear in square brackets in column 2 of this Schedule are the INCI names of the substances in question given in the inventory of ingredients employed in cosmetic products drawn up in accordance with the provisions of the Directive and contained in Commission Decision 96/335/EC(1).

PART IPRESERVATIVES LISTED IN ANNEX VI, PART 1 OF THE DIRECTIVE AS PRESERVATIVES WHICH COSMETIC PRODUCTS MAY NOT CONTAIN EXCEPT SUBJECT TO THE RESTRICTIONS LAID DOWN

(1)(2)(3)(4)(5)(6)
Reference NumberName of substancePurpose of substance or type of productMaximum concentration of substance in productOther requirementsRequired information
1Benzoic acid, its salts and estersAll products0.5 per cent (expressed as acid)A
2Propionic acid and its saltsAll products2 per cent (expressed as acid)A
3Salicylic acid and its saltsAll products0.5 per cent (expressed as acid)ANot to be used in preparations for children under three years of age except for shampoosNot to be used for children under three years of age (solely for products which might be used for children under three years of age and which remain in prolonged contact with the skin)
4Sorbic acid (hexa-2,4-dienoic acid) and its saltsAll products0.6 per cent (expressed as acid)A
5Formaldehyde and para-formaldehydeFor oral hygiene0.1 per cent (expressed as free formaldehyde)Not to be used in aerosol dispensers (sprays)
Except for oral hygiene (see also Part I of Schedule 4)0.2 per cent (expressed as free formaldehyde)
6ENTRY DELETED
7Biphenyl-2-ol [o-phenylphenol] and its saltsAll products0.2 per cent (expressed as the phenol)A
8Pyrithione zinc (INN) [Zinc pyrithione]Products rinsed off after use0.5 per centANot to be used in oral hygiene products
9Inorganic sulphites and hydrogen sulphitesAll products0.2 per cent (expressed as free SO2)A
10Sodium iodateProducts rinsed off after use0.1 per cent
11Chlorobutanol (INN)All products0.5 per centNot to be used in aerosol dispensers (sprays)Contains chlorobutanol
124-Hydroxybenzoic acid and its salts and esters [the Parabens]All products0.4 per cent (expressed as acid) for 1 ester, 0.8 per cent (expressed as acid) for mixtures of estersA
133-Acetyl-6-methylpyran-2,4(3H)-dione [Dehydroacetic acid] and its saltsAll products0.6 per cent (expressed as acid)Not to be used in aerosol dispensers (sprays)
14Formic acid and its sodium saltAll products0.5 per cent (expressed as acid)A
153,3'-Dibromo-4,4'-hexamethylenedioxydi-benzamidine [Dibromo-hexamidine] and its salts (including isethionate)All products0.1 per cent
16Thiomersal (INN) [Thimerosal]Eye make-up and eye make-up remover0.007 per cent calculated as mercury. When mixed with other authorised mercury compounds total mercury concentration must not exceed 0.007 per centContains thiomersal
17Phenylmercuric salts (including borate)Eye make-up and eye make-up remover0.007 per cent calculated as mercury. When mixed with other authorised mercury compounds total mercury concentration must not exceed 0.007 per centContains phenylmercuric compounds
18Undec-10-enoic acid [Undecylenic acid] and its saltsAll products0.2 per cent (expressed as acid)A
19Hexetidine (INN)Products rinsed off after use0.1 per centA
205-Bromo-5-nitro-1,3-dioxaneProducts rinsed off after use0.1 per centAvoid formation of nitrosamines
21ENTRY DELETED
222,4-Dichlorobenzyl alcohol [Dichlorobenzyl alcohol]All products0.15 per centA
23Triclocarban (INN)All products0.2 per centAPurity criteria: 3,3',4,4'-tetrachloroazobenzene < 1 mg/kg
244-Chloro-m-cresol [p-Chloro-m-cresol]Not to be used in products intended to come into contact with mucous membranes0.2 per centA
25Triclosan (INN)All products0.3 per centA
264-Chloro-3,5-xylenol [Chloroxylenol]All products0.5 per centA
273,3'-Bis(1-hydroxymethyl-2,5-dioxoimidazolidin-4-yl)-1,1'-methylenediurea [Imidazolidinyl urea]All products0.6 per centA
28Poly(1-hexamethylene-biguanide hydrochloride) [Polyaminopropyl biguanide]All products0.3 per centA
29ENTRY DELETED
30Hexamethylenetetramine (Methenamine (INN)) [Methenamine]All products0.15 per centA
31Methenamine 3-chloroallylo-chloride (INNM) [Quaternium-15]All products0.2 per cent
321-(4-Chlorophenoxy)-1-(imidazol-l-yl)-3,3-dimethylbutan-2-one (Climbazole (INN)) [Climbazole]All products0.5 per centA
331,3-Bis(hydroxymethyl)-5,5-dimethylimidazolidine-2,4-dione [DMDM Hydantoin]All products0.6 per centA
34Benzyl alcohol (See also Part I of Schedule 4)All products1.0 per centA
351-Hydroxy-4-methyl-6-(2,4,4-trimethylpentyl)-2-pyridone and its monoethanolamine salt [Piroctone olamine]

Products rinsed off after use

Other products

1.0 per cent

0.5 per cent

A

A

361,2-Dibromo-2,4-dicyanobutane [Methyldibromo glutaronitrile]All products0.1 per centNot to be used in cosmetic sunscreen products at a concentration exceeding 0.025 per cent
376,6-Dibromo-4,4-dichloro-2,2'-methylenediphenol [Bromochlorophen]All products0.1 per centA
384-Isopropyl-m-cresol [o-Cymen-5-ol]All products0.1 per cent
39Mixture of 5-chloro-2-methylisothiazol-3(2H)-one and 2-methylisothiazol-3(2H)-one with magnesium chloride and magnesium nitrate [Methylchloro- isothiazolinone and Methylisothiazolinone]All products0.0015 per cent of a mixture in the ratio 3:1 of 5-chloro-2-methylisothiazol-3(2H)-one to 2-methylisothiazol-3(2H)-one
402-Benzyl-4-chlorophenol [Chlorophene]All products0.2 per cent
412-Chloroacetamide [Chloroacetamide]All products0.3 per centContains chloroacetamide
42Chlorhexidine (INN) and its digluconate, diacetate and dihydrochlorideAll products0.3 per centA
431-Phenoxypropan-2-ol [Phenoxyisopropanol] (see also Part I of Schedule 4)Products rinsed off after use1.0 per cent
44Alkyl (C12-C22)-trimethyl- ammonium bromide and chloride (Cetrimonium bromide (INN) and Cetrimonium chloride (INNM))All products0.1 per centA
454,4-Dimethyl-1,3-oxazolidine [Dimethyloxazolidine]All products0.1 per centThe pH of the finished product must not be lower than 6
461-[1,3-Bis(hydroxymethyl)-2,5-dioxoimidazolidin-4-yl]-1,3-bis(hydroxymethyl)urea [Diazolidinyl urea]All products0.5 per cent
47Hexamidine (INN) (4,4'-(Hexamethylenedioxy)- dibenzamidine) and its salts, including isethionate and p-hydroxybenzoateAll products0.1 per centA
48Glutaraldehyde (pentane-1,5-dial) [Glutaral]All products0.1 per centProhibited in aerosols (sprays)Contains glutaraldehyde (where glutaraldehyde concentration in the finished product exceeds 0.05 per cent
495-Ethyl-3,7-dioxa-1-azabicyclo[3.3.0]octane [7-Ethylbicyclo-oxazolidine]All products0.3 per centProhibited in oral hygiene products and in products intended to come into contact with mucous membranes
50Chlorphenesin (INN) [Chlorphenesin]All products0.3 per cent
51Sodium N-hydroxymethyl- glycinate [Sodium hydroxymethylglycinate]All products0.5 per cent
52Silver chloride deposited on titanium dioxideNot to be used 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 lips0.004 per cent. calculated as silver chlorideThe ratio of titanium dioxide to silver chloride shall be 4:1 by mass
53Benzethonium chloride (INN) [Benzethonium chloride]Products rinsed off after use0.1 per cent
54Benzalkonium chloride, bromide and saccharinateAll products0.1 per cent calculated as benzalkonoium chlorideAAvoid contact with eyes
55BenzylhemiformalProducts rinsed off after use0.15 per cent
563-Iodoprop-2-ynyl butylcarbamate [Iodopropynyl butylcarbamate]Not to be used in oral hygiene and lip products0.05 per centContains iodine (Only required where the 3-iodoprop-2-ynyl butylcarbamate concentration in products intended to remain on the skin exceeds 0.02 per cent)

PART IIPRESERVATIVES LISTED IN ANNEX VI, PART 2 OF THE DIRECTIVE AS PRESERVATIVES WHICH COSMETIC PRODUCTS MAY NOT CONTAIN EXCEPT SUBJECT TO THE RESTRICTIONS LAID DOWN AND WHERE SUPPLIED BEFORE A CERTAIN DATE

(1)(2)(3)(4)(5)(6)(7)
Reference NumberName of substancePurpose of substance or type of productMaximum concentration of substance in productOther requirementsRequired informationPermitted for supply until
Note: There are no entries in this Part at the date that these Regulations are made.
(1)

O.J. No. L132, 1.6.96, p.1.

Back to top

Options/Help

Print Options

Close

Legislation is available in different versions:

Latest Available (revised):The latest available updated version of the legislation incorporating changes made by subsequent legislation and applied by our editorial team. Changes we have not yet applied to the text, can be found in the ‘Changes to Legislation’ area.

Original (As Enacted or Made): The original version of the legislation as it stood when it was enacted or made. No changes have been applied to the text.

Close

Opening Options

Different options to open legislation in order to view more content on screen at once

Close

More Resources

Access essential accompanying documents and information for this legislation item from this tab. Dependent on the legislation item being viewed this may include:

  • the original print PDF of the as enacted version that was used for the print copy
  • lists of changes made by and/or affecting this legislation item
  • confers power and blanket amendment details
  • all formats of all associated documents
  • correction slips
  • links to related legislation and further information resources
Close

More Resources

Use this menu to access essential accompanying documents and information for this legislation item. Dependent on the legislation item being viewed this may include:

  • the original print PDF of the as made version that was used for the print copy
  • correction slips

Click 'View More' or select 'More Resources' tab for additional information including:

  • lists of changes made by and/or affecting this legislation item
  • confers power and blanket amendment details
  • all formats of all associated documents
  • links to related legislation and further information resources