The year 2026 brings numerous regulatory deadlines affecting cosmetic product labelling across several territories, including the European Union, United Kingdom, Switzerland, Canada, and the United States.
Several of these deadlines have a significant impact not only on product formulation, but also on labelling compliance. Companies placing cosmetic products on these markets should prepare early to ensure timely compliance.
European Union – July 2026 labelling Deadlines
Among the new regulatory requirements affecting labelling compliance in the European Union, the most significant is the mandatory disclosure of 56 additional fragrance allergens, which must be individually listed in the ingredient list.
From 31 July 2026, additional fragrance allergens must be declared on cosmetic product labels when present above the following thresholds:
- 0.001% in leave-on products; and
- 0.01% in rinse-off products.
Formaldehyde releasers
From the same date, new restrictions on the making available on the market of products containing formaldehyde-releasing substances will apply and will directly affect labelling requirements.
All finished cosmetic products containing preservatives that release formaldehyde must bear the warning:
“Releases formaldehyde”
This warning is mandatory when the total concentration of formaldehyde released exceeds 0.001% (10 ppm) in the finished product, irrespective of whether one or multiple formaldehyde-releasing substances are present.
EU – Additional labelling warnings
Further new restrictions, some introduced under Omnibus Act VIII and applicable from May 2026, include additional mandatory warning statements.
For example, the entry in Annex V for Biphenyl-2-ol / 2-Phenylphenol / 2-Hydroxybiphenyl (o-Phenylphenol) (CAS 90-43-7), and Sodium 2-Biphenylolate / Sodium o-Phenylphenate (CAS 132-27-4) requires cosmetic labels to bear the following wording:
“Avoid contact with eyes.”
United Kingdom – new labelling requirement for Formaldehyde Releasers
From 15 July 2026, all finished products being placed on the market and containing formaldehyde releasers must be labelled with the warning
“Releases formaldehyde”
This requirement aligns with the EU mandatory labelling and restrictions.
Canada – Fragrance allergen disclosure
Canada is introducing phased fragrance allergen disclosure requirements aligned with the European Union framework.
12 April 2026
Both new and existing cosmetic products must disclose 24 fragrance allergens, corresponding to the original EU fragrance allergen list, when present above:
- 0.01% in rinse-off products; and
- 0.001% in leave-on products.
1 August 2026
New cosmetic products must additionally disclose the 56 fragrance allergens introduced into Annex III of the EU Cosmetics Regulation, when present above the same thresholds:
- 0.01% in rinse-off products; and
- 0.001% in leave-on products.
Which deadlines and restrictions apply in Switzerland and the United States? And what other 2026 timelines and regulatory changes should you keep in mind for the EU, the UK, and Canada? You can find detailed information in our 2026 Timetable for Cosmetics Businesses.
References:
European Commission. (2022). Commission Regulation (EU) 2022/1181 of 8 July 2022 amending the preamble of Annex V to Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council on cosmetic products. Retrieved 10/07/2022.
European Commission. (2023). Commission Regulation (EU) 2023/1545 of 26 July 2023 amending Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council as regards labelling of fragrance allergens in cosmetic products. Retrieved on 27/07/2023.
Government of Canada. (2025). Industry Guide for the labelling of cosmetics. Retrieved on 01/12/2025.
WTO. (2025). Draft Cosmetic Products (Restriction of Chemical Substances) Regulations 2026. Retrieved on 03/11/2025.
Chiara Lai
Regulatory Intelligence & Innovation Department
13/02/2026
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