European Union cosmetic ingredient regulations
EU Cosmetics Regulation 1223/2009 annexes and the CosIng discovery database.
- Regulator
- European Commission
- Source language
- English and EU languages
- Coverage version
- Regulation (EC) 1223/2009 consolidated to 1 May 2026
What this list is
The EU list is not one list. Regulation 1223/2009 splits substances across five annexes that answer different questions, and reading the wrong one is the most common way to get an EU answer wrong.
- Annex II prohibits 1,739 substances outright.
- Annex III permits 373 substances only within stated limits, product types and warnings.
- Annexes IV, V and VI are positive lists: 154 colourants, 54 preservatives, 33 UV filters.
- For those three categories, absence from the annex means not permitted — the opposite of Annex II's logic.
- CosIng is a discovery database, not the law; the annexes as published are.
Most markets on this site publish one list. The EU publishes five, and they do not work the same way. Annex II names substances that may not be used at all. Annex III names substances that may be used, but only within a concentration limit, for stated product types, and often with a warning that must appear on the label. Annexes IV, V and VI are positive lists for colourants, preservatives and UV filters.
That last distinction reverses the logic and catches people out. For a substance in general, absence from Annex II is not permission — nothing has been decided about it. For a preservative, absence from Annex V is a decision: it may not be used as a preservative in a cosmetic product. The same silence means opposite things depending on which annex you are reading.
CosIng is worth naming separately, because it is what most searches land on. It is the Commission's database for finding ingredients and their annex references, and it is genuinely useful for that. It is not the legal text. When CosIng and the published annex disagree — usually because an amendment has come into force and the database has not caught up — the annex governs.
An Annex III entry is also more than a number. The limit, the product-type condition and the warning text travel together, and quoting the concentration without the condition it applies to produces an answer that is right about the figure and wrong about the product.
Checked against
Official ingredient records
2353 matching recordsPinus nigra oil and extract
Peroxide value less than 10 mmoles/L (15 )
Source reference: Annex III, entry 111 · 17/05/2013
Pinus palustris oil and extract
Peroxide value less than 10 mmoles/L (15 )
Source reference: Annex III, entry 112 · 17/05/2013
Pinus pinaster oil and extract
Peroxide value less than 10 mmoles/L (15 )
Source reference: Annex III, entry 113 · 17/05/2013
Pinus Pumila Needle Extract; Pinus Pumila Twig Leaf Extract; Pinus Pumila Twig Leaf Oil
The presence of the substance or substances shall be indicated as ‘Pinus Pumila’ in the list of ingredients referred to in Article 19(1), point (g), when the concentration of the substance or substances exceeds: — 0,001 % in leave-on products — 0,01 % in rins…
Source reference: Annex III, entry 114 · 11/09/2023
Pinus species oil and extract
Peroxide value less than 10 mmoles/L (15 )
Source reference: Annex III, entry 115 · 17/05/2013
Pinus cembra oil and extract
Peroxide value less than 10 mmoles/L (15)
Source reference: Annex III, entry 116 · 17/05/2013
Pinus cembra extract acetylated
Peroxide value less than 10 mmoles/L (15)
Source reference: Annex III, entry 117 · 17/05/2013
Picea Mariana Oil and Extract
Peroxide value less than 10 mmoles/L (15 )
Source reference: Annex III, entry 118 · 17/05/2013
Thuja Occidentalis Oil and Extract
Peroxide value less than 10 mmoles/L (15)
Source reference: Annex III, entry 119 · 17/05/2013
HYDROGEN PEROXIDE
(e) To be only sold to dental practitioners. For each cycle of use, first use by dental practitioners as defined under Directive 2005/36/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council* or under their direct supervision if an equivalent level of safety is en…
Source reference: Annex III, entry 12 · 27/07/2020
3-Carene; 3,7,7-Trimethylbicyclo[4.1.0]hept-3-ene (isodiprene)
Peroxide value less than 10 mmoles/L (15 )
Source reference: Annex III, entry 121 · 17/05/2013
Cedrus Atlantica Bark Extract; Cedrus Atlantica Bark Oil; Cedrus Atlantica Bark Water; Cedrus Atlantica Leaf Extract; Cedrus Atlantica Wood Extract; Cedrus Atlantica Wood Oil
The presence of the substance or substances shall be indicated as ‘Cedrus Atlantica Oil/ Extract’ in the list of ingredients referred to in Article 19(1), point (g), when the concentration of the substance or substances exceeds: — 0,001 % in leave-on products…
Source reference: Annex III, entry 122 · 11/09/2023
Cupressus sempervirens oil and extract
Peroxide value less than 10 mmoles/L (15)
Source reference: Annex III, entry 123 · 17/05/2013
Turpentine
The presence of the substance shall be indicated in the list of ingredients referred to in Article 19(1), point (g), when its concentration exceeds: — 0,001 % in leave-on products — 0,01 % in rinse-off products. The peroxide value for each substance shall be …
Source reference: Annex III, entry 124 · 11/09/2023
Terpene alcohols acetates
Peroxide value less than 10 mmoles/L (15)
Source reference: Annex III, entry 127 · 17/05/2013
Terpene hydrocarbons
Peroxide value less than 10 mmoles/L (15)
Source reference: Annex III, entry 128 · 17/05/2013
Terpenes and terpenoids with the exception of limonene (d-, l-, and dl-isomers) listed under reference numbers 88, 167 and 168 of this Annex III
Peroxide value less than 10 mmoles/L (15)
Source reference: Annex III, entry 129 · 17/05/2013
Terpenes and terpenoids
Peroxide value less than 10 mmoles/L
Source reference: Annex III, entry 130 · 16/06/2014
Alpha-Terpinene
The presence of the substance shall be indicated in the list of ingredients referred to in Article 19(1), point (g), when its concentration exceeds: — 0,001 % in leave-on products — 0,01 % in rinse-off products. The peroxide value shall be less than 10 mmoles…
Source reference: Annex III, entry 131 · 11/09/2023
gamma-Terpinene; p-Mentha-1,4-diene
Peroxide value less than 10 mmoles/L (15)
Source reference: Annex III, entry 132 · 17/05/2013
Terpinolene
The presence of the substance shall be indicated in the list of ingredients referred to in Article 19(1), point (g), when its concentration exceeds: — 0,001 % in leave-on products — 0,01 % in rinse-off products The peroxide value shall be less than 10 mmoles/…
Source reference: Annex III, entry 133 · 11/09/2023
Acetyl hexamethyl indan; 1,1,2,3,3,6-Hexamethylindan-5-yl methyl ketone
(a) Leave-on products (b) Rinse-off products
Source reference: Annex III, entry 134 · 17/05/2013
Allyl butyrate; 2-Propenyl Butanoate
Level of free allyl alcohol in the ester should be less than 0.1%
Source reference: Annex III, entry 135 · 17/05/2013
Allyl cinnamate; 2-Propenyl 3-Phenyl-2-propenoate
Level of free allyl alcohol in the ester should be less than 0.1%
Source reference: Annex III, entry 136 · 17/05/2013
Allyl cyclohexylacetate
Level of free allyl alcohol in the ester should be less than 0.1%
Source reference: Annex III, entry 137 · 17/05/2013
Allyl cyclohexylpropionate
Level of free allyl alcohol in the ester should be less than 0.1%
Source reference: Annex III, entry 138 · 17/05/2013
Allyl heptanoate; 2-Propenyl heptanoate
Level of free allyl alcohol in the ester should be less than 0.1%
Source reference: Annex III, entry 139 · 17/05/2013
HYDROQUINONE
Professional use
Source reference: Annex III, entry 14 · 14/05/2013
Allyl caproate
Level of free allyl alcohol in the ester should be less than 0.1%
Source reference: Annex III, entry 140 · 17/05/2013
Allyl isovalerate
Level of free allyl alcohol in the ester should be less than 0.1%
Source reference: Annex III, entry 141 · 17/05/2013
Allyl octanoate
Level of free allyl alcohol in the ester should be less than 0.1%
Source reference: Annex III, entry 142 · 17/05/2013
Allyl phenoxyacetate
Level of free allyl alcohol in the ester should be less than 0.1%
Source reference: Annex III, entry 143 · 17/05/2013
Allyl phenylacetate
Level of free allyl alcohol in the ester should be less than 0.1%
Source reference: Annex III, entry 144 · 17/05/2013
Allyl 3,5,5-trimethylhexanoate
Level of free allyl alcohol in the ester should be less than 0.1%
Source reference: Annex III, entry 145 · 17/05/2013
Allyl cyclohexyloxyacetate
Level of free allyl alcohol in the ester should be less than 0.1%
Source reference: Annex III, entry 146 · 17/05/2013
Allyl isoamyloxyacetate
Level of free allyl alcohol in the ester should be less than 0.1%
Source reference: Annex III, entry 147 · 17/05/2013
Allyl 2-methylbutoxyacetate
Level of free allyl alcohol in the ester should be less than 0.1%
Source reference: Annex III, entry 148 · 17/05/2013
ALLYL NONANOATE
Level of free allyl alcohol in the ester should be less than 0.1%
Source reference: Annex III, entry 149 · 10/10/2016
Allyl propionate
Level of free allyl alcohol in the ester should be less than 0.1%
Source reference: Annex III, entry 150 · 17/05/2013
Allyl trimethylhexanoate
Level of free allyl alcohol in the ester should be less than 0.1%
Source reference: Annex III, entry 151 · 17/05/2013
Allyl phenethyl ether
Level of free allyl alcohol in the ether should be less than 0.1%
Source reference: Annex III, entry 151a · 17/05/2013
ALLYL HEPTINE CARBONATE
This material shall not be used in combination with any other 2- alkynoic acid ester (e.g. methyl heptine carbonate)
Source reference: Annex III, entry 152 · 17/05/2013
Myroxylon Balsamum Pereirae Balsam Extract; Myroxylon Balsamum Pereirae Balsam Oil; Myroxylon Pereirae Oil; Myroxylon Pereirae Resin Extract; Myroxylon Pereirae Resin
The presence of the substance or substances shall be indicated as ‘Myroxylon Pereirae Oil/ Extract’ in the list of ingredients referred to in Article 19(1), point (g), when the concentration of the substance or substances exceeds: — 0,001 % in leave-on produc…
Source reference: Annex III, entry 154 · 03/10/2023
4-tert.-Butyldihydrocinnamaldehyde
Source reference: Annex III, entry 155 · 17/05/2013
Cuminum cyminum oil and extract
(a) Leave-on products (b) Rinse-off products
Source reference: Annex III, entry 156 · 17/05/2013
Alpha-Damascone/cis-Rose ketone 1/trans-Rose ketone 1; Rose ketone 4 (Damascone); Rose ketone 3 (delta-Damascone)/trans-Rose ketone 3; cis-Rose ketone 2 (cis-beta-Damascone); trans-Rose ketone 2 (trans-beta-Damascone)
(a) (b) The presence of the substance or substances shall be indicated as ‘Rose Ketones’ in the list of ingredients referred to in Article 19(1), point (g), when the concentration of the substance or substances exceeds: — 0,001 % in leave-on products — 0,01 %…
Source reference: Annex III, entry 157 · 15/09/2023
TRANS-ROSE KETONE-5
Source reference: Annex III, entry 159 · 23/05/2013
POTASSIUM HYDROXIDE / SODIUM HYDROXIDE
(b) 1. General use 2. Professional use (c) up to pH 12.7 (d) up to pH 11 15 d Contains alcakali, Avoid contact with eyes Keep out of reach of chindren ans Read directions for use carefully
Source reference: Annex III, entry 15a · 11/01/2024
LITHIUM HYDROXIDE
(a) 1. General use 2. Professional use (b) pH < 12.7 (c) pH < 11
Source reference: Annex III, entry 15b · 17/10/2010
Market coverage contract
Complete annex dataset- Included scope
- Annexes II–VI: prohibited and restricted substances, colourants, preservatives and UV filters.
- If no match is found
- No annex match only means that these five annexes did not return a match; CosIng identity data and other EU obligations still need review.
Complete verification checklist
- Confirm the exact INCI/CAS/EC identity.
- Review every matching Annex II–VI row and its conditions.
- Check SCCS opinions, CMR/nanomaterial rules and later amendments.
- Verify product classification, claims, labelling and responsible-person duties.
How European Union differs from other markets
Comparing this market's imported rules against every other market's for the same substance. A market with no imported rule for a substance is left out of that comparison rather than treated as permitting it.
A formula cleared elsewhere can fail here.
and 22 more — see the full comparison
Permitted here under conditions and prohibited, or more tightly held, elsewhere — so a formula built for this market may not travel.
and 103 more — see the full comparison
Official sources and legal role
PubChem PUG-View annotations
Attributed physical-property, hazard, environmental, use and literature annotations for uniquely matched PubChem compounds
Legal meaning: Scientific context aggregated by PubChem; individual values retain their named depositor or publication source
EMBL-EBI ChEBI 2.0
Curated definitions, chemical classes, roles, names, relationships and cross-references
Legal meaning: Curated scientific ontology; not a cosmetics permission or prohibition list
FDA Global Substance Registration System
UNII identifiers, preferred names, substance types, codes and public substance relationships
Legal meaning: Identity registry only; UNII availability does not imply FDA review or approval
Cosmetic Ingredient Review safety assessments
Expert Panel conclusions, assessed ingredient groups, use conditions, dates and report documents
Legal meaning: Independent expert review considered by FDA; not a government approval or binding market rule
EU Safety Gate cosmetic product alerts
Published cosmetic product alerts, notifying country, risk, product identifiers and corrective measures
Legal meaning: Official market-surveillance alerts; not proof that a named ingredient caused an incident
Available language: English and EU languages
What this market page can answer
Source and authority
Identify the official material and the regulator responsible for it: European Commission.
Language and scope
See whether usable English or bilingual material exists and what the mapped source actually covers. Current source language: English and EU languages.
Evidence status
Browse ingredient-level records imported from official sources. Each row states whether it passed deterministic source checks or human editorial review.
How to verify an ingredient for this market
- Search the ingredient by INCI name, CAS number or EC number and record the exact identity.
- Open each official source above and check the current version, product scope, concentration limits and required warnings.
- Confirm effective dates and whether an English text is official, reviewed or only contextual.
- Treat a missing local match as unknown, never as permission or a safety conclusion.