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 recordsHC Yellow No. 4
— Do not use with nitrosating agents — Maximum nitrosamine content: 50 μg/kg — Keep in nitrite-free containers
Source reference: Annex III, entry 253 · 12/08/2020
HC Yellow No 4
- Do not use with nitrosating agents - Maximum nitrosamine content: 50 micrograme/Kg - Keep in nitrite-free containers
Source reference: Annex III, entry 253 · 09/09/2013
ACID RED 33
Hair dye substance in non-oxidative hair dye products
Source reference: Annex III, entry 254 · 14/08/2020
HC Yellow No 2
(a) After mixing under oxidative conditions the maximum concentration applied to hair must not exceed 0,75% For (a) and (b): - Do not use with nitrosating agents - Maximum nitrosamine content: 50 microgram/Kg - Keep in nitrite-free containers
Source reference: Annex III, entry 255 · 09/09/2013
HC Orange No 1
Hair day substance in non-oxidative hair dye products
Source reference: Annex III, entry 256 · 09/09/2013
LAURETH-9
(a) Leave-on products (b) Rinse-off products
Source reference: Annex III, entry 257 · 16/06/2015
HC Red No 1
Hair dye substance in non-oxidative hair dye products
Source reference: Annex III, entry 258 · 09/09/2013
HC Yellow No 9
- Do not use with nitrosating agents - Maximum nitrosamine content: 50 microgram/Kg - Keep in nitrite-free containers
Source reference: Annex III, entry 259 · 09/09/2013
AMMONIUM MONOFLUOROPHOSPHATE
Oral products
Source reference: Annex III, entry 26 · 14/05/2013
HC Yellow No 7
Hair dye substance in oxidative hair dye products
Source reference: Annex III, entry 260 · 09/09/2013
HC Yellow No 13
(a) After mixing under oxidative conditions the maximum concentration applied to hair must not exceed 2,5% For (a) and (b): - Do not use with nitrosating agents - Maximum nitrosamine content: 50 microgram/Kg - Keep in nitrite-free containers
Source reference: Annex III, entry 261 · 09/09/2013
BASIC YELLOW 57
Hair dye substance in non-oxidative hair dye products
Source reference: Annex III, entry 262 · 12/02/2014
Disperse Black 9
Hair dye substance in non-oxidative hair dye products
Source reference: Annex III, entry 263 · 09/09/2013
HC Blue No 14
- Do not use with nitrosating agents - Maximum nitrosamine content: 50 microgram/Kg - Keep in nitrite-free containers
Source reference: Annex III, entry 264 · 09/09/2013
DISPERSE VIOLET 1
Impurity of Disperse Red 15 in Disperse Violet 1 for hair dye formulations should be < 1 % (w/w)
Source reference: Annex III, entry 265 · 16/06/2014
HC RED No 3
(a) After mixing under oxidative conditions the maximum concentration applied to hair must not exceed 0,45 % For (a) and (b): — Do not use with nitrosating agents — Maximum nitrosamine content: 50 μg/kg — Keep in nitrite-free containers
Source reference: Annex III, entry 266 · 16/06/2014
BASIC RED 76
Hair dye substance non-oxidative hair dye products
Source reference: Annex III, entry 267 · 17/06/2014
2-Amino-5- Ethylphenol HCl
After mixing under oxidative conditions the maximum concentration applied to hair must not exceed 1,0 %
Source reference: Annex III, entry 269 · 16/06/2014
BASIC RED 51
(a) After mixing under oxidative conditions the maximum concentration applied to hair must not exceed 0,5 %
Source reference: Annex III, entry 269 · 16/06/2014
Sodium monofluorophosphate
Oral products
Source reference: Annex III, entry 27 · 14/05/2013
ACID RED 92
(a) After mixing under oxidative conditions the maximum concentration applied to hair must not exceed 2,0 %
Source reference: Annex III, entry 270 · 14/08/2020
Disperse Blue 377 is a mixture of three dyes:(1) 1,4-bis[(2-hydroxyethyl)amino]anthra-9,10-quinone/(2) 1-[(2-hydroxyethyl)amino]-4-[(3- hydroxypropyl)amino]anthra- 9,10-quinone/(3) 1,4-bis[(3- hydroxypropyl)amino]anthra- 9,10-quinone
Hair dye substance in non-oxidative hair dye products
Source reference: Annex III, entry 271 · 16/06/2014
P-AMINOPHENOL
(a) (b) After mixing under oxidative conditions the maximum concentration applied to hair or eyelashes must not exceed 0,9 % (b) Professional use
Source reference: Annex III, entry 272 · 27/07/2020
1-Hydroxyethyl-4,5- Diamino Pyrazole Sulfate
After mixing under oxidative conditions the maximum concentration applied to hair must not exceed 3,0 %
Source reference: Annex III, entry 273 · 16/06/2014
4-Formyl-1-Methylquinolinium-p-Toluenesulfonate
After mixing under oxidative conditions the maximum concentration applied to hair must not exceed 2,5 %
Source reference: Annex III, entry 274 · 16/06/2014
Basic Yellow 87
(a) After mixing under oxidative conditions the maximum concentration applied to hair must not exceed 1,0 %
Source reference: Annex III, entry 275 · 16/06/2014
BASIC ORANGE 31
(a) Hair dye substance in oxidative hair dye products (b) Hair dye substance in non-oxidative hair dye products
Source reference: Annex III, entry 276 · 11/12/2020
2,6-Diamino-3- ((Pyridine-3-yl)azo)Pyridine
(a) After mixing under oxidative conditions the maximum concentration applied to hair must not exceed 0,25 %
Source reference: Annex III, entry 277 · 16/06/2014
BASIC VIOLET 2
(a) After mixing under oxidative conditions the maximum concentration applied to hair must not exceed 1,0 %
Source reference: Annex III, entry 278 · 14/08/2020
2,3-Diaminodihydropyrazolopyrazolone Dimethosulfonate
After mixing under oxidative conditions the maximum concentration applied to hair must not exceed 2,0 %
Source reference: Annex III, entry 279 · 16/06/2014
Potassium monofluorophosphate
Oral products
Source reference: Annex III, entry 28 · 14/05/2013
Picramic Acid and Sodium Picramate
(a) After mixing under oxidative conditions the maximum concentration applied to hair must not exceed 0,6 %
Source reference: Annex III, entry 280 · 16/06/2014
2-Nitro-5-Glyceryl Methylaniline
a) After mixing under oxidative conditions the maximum concentration applied to hair must not exceed 0,8 % For (a) and (b): — Do not use with nitrosating agents — Maximum nitrosamine content: 50 μg/kg — Keep in nitrite-free containers
Source reference: Annex III, entry 281 · 16/06/2014
HC Blue 16
— Do not use with nitrosating agents — Maximum nitrosamine content: 50 μg/kg — Keep in nitrite-free containers
Source reference: Annex III, entry 282 · 16/06/2014
5-Amino-6-Chloro-o- Cresol / 5-Amino-6-Chloro-o- Cresol HCl
(a) Hair dye substance in oxidative hair dye products (b) Hair dye substance in non-oxidative hair dye products
Source reference: Annex III, entry 283 · 16/06/2014
2,2'-METHYLENEBIS 4-AMINOPHENOL HCL
(a) After mixing under oxidative conditions the maximum concentration applied to hair must not exceed 1,0 %
Source reference: Annex III, entry 284 · 24/10/2021
2,6-Diaminopyridine
For (a) and (b): After mixing under oxidative conditions the maximum concentration applied to hair must not exceed 0,15 % (b) For professional use only.
Source reference: Annex III, entry 285 · 16/06/2014
CETRIMONIUM CHLORIDE (1) / STRARTRIMONIUM CHLORIDE (1)
For purposes other than inhibiting the development of microorganisms in the product. The purpose has to be apparent from the presentation of the product.
Source reference: Annex III, entry 286 · 22/06/2015
BEHENTRIMONIUM CHLORIDE (1)
For purposes other than inhibiting the development of microorganisms in the product. The purpose has to be apparent from the presentation of the product.
Source reference: Annex III, entry 287 · 22/06/2015
HC Blue No 17
(a) After mixing under oxidative conditions the maximum concentration applied to hair must not exceed 2,0 % For (a) and (b): - Maximum nitrosamine content: 50 microgram/Kilogram - Keep in nitritew-free containers
Source reference: Annex III, entry 288 · 05/08/2015
HC BLUE NO 15
(a) After mixing under oxidative conditions the maximum concentration applied to hair must not exceed 0,2 %
Source reference: Annex III, entry 289 · 05/08/2015
Calcium monofluorophosphate
Oral products
Source reference: Annex III, entry 29 · 14/05/2013
ACID GREEN 25
Hair dye substance in non-oxidative hair dye products
Source reference: Annex III, entry 290 · 05/08/2015
ACID VIOLET 43
Hair dye substance in non-oxidative hair dye products
Source reference: Annex III, entry 291 · 12/08/2020
2-METHOXYMETHYL-P-PHENYLENEDIAMINE /2-METHOXYMETHYL-P-PHENYLENEDIAMINE SULFATE
(a) (b) After mixing under oxidative conditions the maximum concentration applied to hair or eyelashes must not exceed 1,8 % (calculated as free base) (b) Professional use
Source reference: Annex III, entry 292 · 23/11/2020
Hydroxyanthraquinone-aminopropyl Methyl Morpholinium Methosulfate
—Do not use with nitrosating agents —Maximum nitrosamine content: 50 μg/kg — Keep in nitrite-free containers
Source reference: Annex III, entry 293 · 05/08/2015
Disperse Red 17
(a) After mixing under oxidative conditions the maximum concentration applied to hair must not exceed 2,0 % For (a) and (b): —Do not use with nitrosating agents —Maximum nitrosamine content: 50 μg/kg — Keep in nitrite-free containetrs
Source reference: Annex III, entry 294 · 05/08/2015
Acid Black 1
Hair dye substance in non-oxidative hair dye products
Source reference: Annex III, entry 295 · 05/08/2015
Pigment Red 57
Hair dye substance in non-oxidative hair dye products
Source reference: Annex III, entry 296 · 05/08/2015
ETHOXYDIGLYCOL
(a) to (e): The level of ethylene glycol impurity in Ethoxydiglycol must be ≤ 0,1 %. Not to be used in eye products and oral products
Source reference: Annex III, entry 297 · 24/10/2018
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.