Regulatory Updates Powered by Good Face: December 2025 Edition

We're excited to share the December 2025 edition of our Regulatory Recap, powered by Good Face.

Our system has been updated with the most recent regulatory developments across key markets including new retail policies, China Cosmetic Regulations, Canadian NNHPD monographs, EU regulations on allergens and fluorinated greenhouse gases, SCCS scientific opinions, UK cosmetic amendments, Brazilian and MERCOSUR prohibited substances, and CIR safety assessments. Keep reading to explore these updates in detail.

China Cosmetic Safety Standard 2025

China's cosmetic regulatory framework underwent a major restructuring in our system to enhance regulatory precision. The previously unified "China Cosmetic Safety Standard" has been divided into five distinct policies: China Cosmetic Safety Standard 2025, China IECIC 2021 (Historical Use Limits), China Cosmetic Safety Assessment Data Index, China Raw Materials for Marketed Products, and China Regulations for Toothpastes and Oral Care.

A key enhancement is the introduction of function-dependent compliance assessment: ingredients on approved lists (preservatives, colorants, UV filters, hair dyes) must be assigned their specific function to be evaluated correctly. This improves assessment granularity, as compliance is now determined by identity, concentration, and intended function.

Canada NNHPD Monographs: Acne Therapy Monograph

The Acne Therapy Monograph from Health Canada's Natural and Non-prescription Health Products Directorate (NNHPD) has been added to Good Face. This monograph describes the requirements necessary to receive market authorization for topical acne therapy products, identifying permitted medicinal and non-medicinal ingredients, concentrations, indications, directions, and conditions of use. Products meeting the criteria outlined in this monograph can obtain a Drug Identification Number (DIN) or Natural Product Number (NPN) without submitting additional evidence to Health Canada.

European Union Cosmetic Ingredients Regulation

The European Union Cosmetic Ingredients Regulation was updated in Good Face with new allergens added via Regulation (EU) 2023/1545.

The full legislative text is available here.

European Union: Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety (SCCS)

The SCCS published its Scientific Opinion on Tea Tree Oil (CAS/EC No. 68647-73-4/285-377-1) used in cosmetic products. The preliminary version was released on 28 May 2025, with the final version published on 30 October 2025 (SCCS/1681/25). The opinion provides guidance on the safe use of tea tree oil in cosmetic formulations.

The full scientific opinion can be found here.

European Union: Fluorinated Greenhouse Gases

Regulation (EU) 2024/573 on fluorinated greenhouse gases entered into force on 11 March 2024. Since 1 January 2025, the placing on the market of personal care products (including mousses, creams, foams, liquids, and sprays) containing fluorinated greenhouse gases listed in Annexes I, II, and III is prohibited. This ban is part of the EU's strategy to phase out hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) completely by 2050 and supports the European Green Deal's goal of achieving climate neutrality.

The full regulation is available here.

UK Cosmetics Regulation

The UK notified several amendments to the UK Cosmetics Regulation to the WTO. Key changes include: the UV filter 4-methylbenzylidene camphor (4-MBC – CAS 38102-62-4) has been added to Annex II and is therefore banned for use in cosmetic products, with its entry in Annex VI (permitted UV filters) removed. Additionally, 16 CMR substances have been added to Annex II, prohibiting their use in cosmetic products.

The regulation also amends the preamble to Annex V regarding labelling requirements for formaldehyde-releasing preservatives: all finished products containing such substances that release formaldehyde must be labelled with "releases formaldehyde" where the concentration exceeds 0.001%.

These amendments can be found here and here.

Brazil Cosmetics Regulation

On November 3, 2025, Brazil published Resolution RDC No. 995/2025 in its Official Gazette, effective immediately. The resolution amends Resolution RDC 529/2021 to expand the list of prohibited substances in personal hygiene products, cosmetics, and perfumes. Two new prohibited ingredients were added: Trimethylbenzoyl Diphenylphosphine Oxide and Dimethyltolylamine.

The full resolution can be found here.

MERCOSUR Technical Regulation

MERCOSUR Resolution GMC No. 27/25 amends GMC Resolution No. 62/14, updating the MERCOSUR Technical Regulation on the list of substances that cannot be used in personal hygiene products, cosmetics, and perfumes.

The full resolution is available here.

Target Priority Chemicals

The Target Priority Chemicals policy was added to Good Face to reflect the latest prohibited ingredients list.

Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Findings

The CIR published two new safety assessments: the Safety Assessment of Paeonia suffruticosa-Derived Ingredients as Used in Cosmetics and the Amended Safety Assessment of Octoxynols as Used in Cosmetics. These assessments provide comprehensive evaluations of the safety of these ingredients when used in cosmetic formulations.

The Paeonia suffruticosa assessment can be found here. The Octoxynols assessment is available here.

Chemical Footprint Project (CFP) Chemicals of High Concern (CoHCs)

The Chemical Footprint Project is a non-profit initiative developed by the organization Clean Production Action that helps companies measure, disclose, and reduce their chemical footprints. The CoHCs list identifies chemicals of high concern based on authoritative hazard lists and supports companies in tracking and managing hazardous substances in their products and supply chains. Clean Production Action's CFP framework is widely adopted by leading brands to drive transparency and safer chemistry practices.