Formaldehyde in cosmetics, EC regulates labelling
New EC regulation regulating the labelling of formaldehyde in cosmetic and industrial products.
Commission Regulation (EU) 2022/1181 amending the preamble of Annex V to Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council on cosmetic products entered into force on 8 July.
It states that all finished products containing substances listed in that Annex which release formaldehyde must be labelled as "formaldehyde releasing" whenever the total concentration of formaldehyde released in the finished product exceeds 0.001 % (10 ppm), regardless of whether those products contain one or more formaldehyde releasing substances. Until now the accepted value was 0.05% (500 ppm).
As you know, formaldehyde has a significant sensitising capacity and is a common cause of allergic contact dermatitis.
Formaldehyde is used as a preservative in different products as it has antifungal and antibacterial properties, and can be found in both cosmetic and industrial products. Sometimes these products may not contain formaldehyde, but may contain agents capable of releasing formaldehyde during decomposition, or substances synthesised from formaldehyde, which are also used as preservatives in both cosmetic and industrial products.
The most common formaldehyde donors in cosmetics are:
- Quaternium-15
- Imidazolidinyl urea
- Diazolidinyl urea
- DMDM hydantoin
- Bronopol (2-bromo-2-nitropropane-1,3-diol)
MicroBios Laboratory, with more than 30 years of experience supporting companies in the cosmetics sector, has the equipment and technical competence to carry out these determinations, applying the latest legislation in force. In addition, it provides advice and guidance to its clients for the safe and quick launch of their cosmetic products on the market.
Do not hesitate to contact the MicroBios Laboratory team for further information or to request a quotation.