Regulatory Trends in Cosmetics: 12–18 Month Outlook
This guide was published on 18th July, 2026. Further regulatory developments may have occurred after publication. To keep up-to-date with the latest compliance news, sign up to our newsletter.
A practical, 12–18 month roadmap for cosmetics teams who need to move fast, without losing control of compliance.
Regulatory Trends in Cosmetics: 12–18 Month Outlook
Cosmetics regulations are accelerating, and the pace of change is no longer gradual. Across major markets, authorities are tightening ingredient controls, expanding disclosure obligations, and applying broader chemicals legislation directly to cosmetic products. PFAS restrictions, fragrance-allergen labeling, CMR (carcinogenic, mutagenic, or reproduction toxicity) classifications, retinal controls, and new prohibited substance lists are reshaping how products are formulated, documented, labeled, and maintained on the market.
Over the next 12-18 months, businesses will need to monitor both regional frameworks and national implementation measures. Developments in the EU, UK, Canada, China, ASEAN, Mercosur and the Andean Community demonstrate the continuing importance of ingredient lists, fragrance-allergen disclosure, labeling and chemical restrictions. At the same time, newer measures concerning retinal and PFAS in Australia and the United States show that substances used in cosmetics may also be affected by broader chemical and consumer product legislation.
Together, these developments point toward more detailed formulation reviews, stronger supporting documentation and increasing differences in compliance requirements between jurisdictions.
(Source: C2P by Adherent)
This Guide Covers
- The regulatory topics affecting cosmetics, banded by importance, from chemical restrictions and claims through to traceability and packaging
- How MoCRA has expanded FDA oversight, including the more than threefold rise in adverse event reports from the cosmetics sector
- EU and UK amendments restricting CMR substances, and new prohibited substance lists across Brazil, Mercosur and the Andean Community
- PFAS and retinal measures reaching cosmetics through broader chemical and consumer product legislation
- 13 key regulations impacting the cosmetics industry globally
