The European Commission is proposing changes to chemical safety rules that would allow certain carcinogenic substances in cosmetics and weaken hazard labeling in advertisements, citing a need to cut regulatory burdens on industry.
Leonie Cater and Marianne Gros report for POLITICO.
In short:
- A draft “chemicals omnibus” bill would relax the EU’s current ban on carcinogenic, mutagenic, or reproductive toxicants in cosmetics if exposure is not through skin contact, and remove the requirement to prove food safety for exemptions.
- The proposal would also simplify chemical labeling laws, replacing specific hazard warnings in advertisements with a general notice to “read the label and product information before use.”
- Consumer and environmental advocates warn that the changes prioritize industry convenience over public health and could lead to increased exposure to harmful substances.
- After the publication of this story, the European Commission officially unveiled the omnibus simplification package.
Key quote:
“Let’s be clear: cutting paperwork does not make toxic products any safer.”
— Julian Schenten, legal expert, ClientEarth
Why this matters:
Many cosmetics contain chemicals with links to cancer, hormone disruption, or reproductive harm. Europe's current laws ban these substances unless they're proven safe under strict criteria. Weakening those rules, especially around labeling and advertising, can obscure risks from consumers and regulators alike. Inhaled or ingested exposure routes — now potentially grounds for exemption — still affect salon workers and consumers through aerosols, lip products, or incidental ingestion. Reduced labeling also limits transparency, making it harder for people to make informed choices about what they put on their skin.
Related: Banned chemicals found in cosmetics across Europe, investigation finds
