THE WHAT? The European Parliament has approved legislation introducing more flexible deadlines for cosmetics manufacturers to withdraw products containing substances classified as carcinogenic, mutagenic or toxic to reproduction (CMR), as part of the EU’s Omnibus VI Chemistry reforms.

THE DETAILS The legislation was adopted on 22 October 2026, with 477 votes in favour, 59 against and 41 abstentions. Under the revised framework, manufacturers that do not seek an exemption will have six months to stop placing affected products on the market and twelve months to sell existing stocks. Companies seeking exemptions must apply within three months of a new CMR classification taking effect. Where scientific assessments identify safety concerns, shorter withdrawal periods will apply, while products considered safe but with available alternatives may benefit from longer transitional arrangements. The final agreement also maintains restrictions on CMR substances intended for oral use.

THE WHY? The reforms provide cosmetics manufacturers with greater flexibility in managing regulatory changes, reformulation schedules and existing inventories, while maintaining restrictions on hazardous ingredients. However, consumer organisations have raised concerns that extended withdrawal periods could allow products containing potentially harmful substances to remain available for longer, highlighting the continuing tension between regulatory simplification and consumer safety.

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