UK proposes to limit the use of Oxybenzone in cosmetic products, aligns with the EU

On 8 May 2025, the UK notified the WTO of its intention to limit the use of 2-Hydroxy-4-methoxybenzophenone or Oxybenzone (CAS 131-57-7) in cosmetic products.  The draft Cosmetic Products (Restriction of Chemical Substances) Regulations 2025 would restrict the use of the chemical to 6% in face products, hand products, and lip products (excluding propellant and pump spray products); 2.2% in body products (including propellant and pump spray product; and 0.5% in other products.  Additionally, the products could only contain no more  than 0.5% to protect product formulation. If used at 0.5% to protect product formulation, the levels used as UV filter must not exceed 5.5% for face and and lips products, or 1.7% for body products. 

The impact for companies could be significant as brands, manufacturers and retailers will need to engage product formulation or reformulation if the products do not conform to these restrictions. Some UK retailers, such as Holland & Barrett, have already decided to remove the chemicals from their products. EU manufacturers may benefit from this change as these restrictions have already been implemented and regulated in the EU since 2022. 

The UK’s alignment with the EU comes after the Office of Product Safety and Standards issued a final opinion by the Scientific Advisory Group on Chemical Safety in Consumer Products (SAG-CS) in 2024, recommending these thresholds. Both the US federal and Canada national governments permit the use of oxybenzone up to 6%, while Australia allows 10% and Japan limits at 5%. 

Oxybenzone is widely used as a UV filter in sunscreen products or other cosmetic products with UV protection functionalities. However, the chemical could cause defects and reproduction issues in fish, damage the immune systems of sea urchins, and impair the growth of green algae, according to US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and a study by the National Academy of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine. 

The US state of Hawaii and the country of Palau have both banned oxybenzone in sunscreen products on this basis. 

The draft regulation is expected to be adopted by 21 July 2025 and to be enforced by 21 January 2026.  Products already existing on the market prior to 21 January 2026 will be permitted to be sold until 21 July 2026. 

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