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 recordsSantalol
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.
Source reference: Annex III, entry 341 · 03/10/2023
Sclareol
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.
Source reference: Annex III, entry 342 · 03/10/2023
Terpineol
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.
Source reference: Annex III, entry 343 · 03/10/2023
Tetramethyl acetyloctahydronaphthalenes
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.
Source reference: Annex III, entry 344 · 03/10/2023
Trimethylbenzenepropanol
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.
Source reference: Annex III, entry 345 · 03/10/2023
Vanillin
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.
Source reference: Annex III, entry 346 · 03/10/2023
Cananga Odorata Flower Extract; Cananga Odorata Flower Oil
The presence of the substance or substances shall be indicated as ‘Cananga Odorata Oil/Extract’ in the list of ingredients referred to in Article 19(1), point (g), when the concentration exceeds of the substance or substances: — 0,001 % in leave-on products —…
Source reference: Annex III, entry 347 · 03/10/2023
Cinnamomum Cassia Leaf Oil
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.
Source reference: Annex III, entry 348 · 03/10/2023
Cinnamomum Zeylanicum Bark Oil
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.
Source reference: Annex III, entry 349 · 03/10/2023
Stannous Fluoride
Oral products
Source reference: Annex III, entry 35 · 14/05/2013
Citrus Aurantium Amara Flower Oil; Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Flower Oil
The presence of the substance or substances shall be indicated as ‘Citrus Aurantium Flower Oil’ 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 350 · 03/10/2023
Citrus Aurantium Amara Peel Oil; Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil; Citrus Sinensis Peel Oil
The presence of the substance or substances shall be indicated as ‘Citrus Aurantium Peel Oil’ 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…
Source reference: Annex III, entry 351 · 03/10/2023
Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Peel Oil
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.
Source reference: Annex III, entry 352 · 03/10/2023
Citrus Limon Peel Oil
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.
Source reference: Annex III, entry 353 · 03/10/2023
Cymbopogon Schoenanthus Oil; Cymbopogon Flexuosus Oil; Cymbopogon Citratus Leaf Oil
The presence of the substance or substances shall be indicated as ‘Lemongrass Oil’ 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 ri…
Source reference: Annex III, entry 354 · 03/10/2023
Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil; Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf/Twig Oil
The presence of the substance or substances shall be indicated as ‘Eucalyptus Globulus Oil’ 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 — 0,0…
Source reference: Annex III, entry 355 · 03/10/2023
Eugenia Caryophyllus Leaf Oil; Eugenia Caryophyllus Flower Oil; Eugenia Caryophyllus Stem oil; Eugenia Caryophyllus Bud oil
The presence of the substance or substances shall be indicated as ‘Eugenia Caryophyllus Oil’ 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,…
Source reference: Annex III, entry 356 · 03/10/2023
Jasminum Grandiflorum Flower Extract; Jasminum Officinale Oil; Jasminum Officinale Flower Extract
The presence of the substance or substances shall be indicated as ‘Jasmine 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 — 0,01 % …
Source reference: Annex III, entry 357 · 03/10/2023
Juniperus Virginiana Oil; Juniperus Virginiana Wood Oil
The presence of the substance or substances shall be indicated as ‘Juniperus Virginiana Oil’ 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,…
Source reference: Annex III, entry 358 · 03/10/2023
Laurus Nobilis Leaf Oil
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.
Source reference: Annex III, entry 359 · 03/10/2023
Cetylamine Hydrofluoride
Oral products
Source reference: Annex III, entry 36 · 14/05/2013
Lavandula Hybrida Oil; Lavandula Hybrida Extract; Lavandula Hybrida Flower Extract; Lavandula Intermedia Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract; Lavandula Intermedia Flower/Leaf/Stem Oil; Lavandula Intermedia Oil; Lavandula Angustifolia Oil; Lavandula Angustifolia Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
The presence of the substance or substances shall be indicated ‘Lavandula 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 — 0,01 % …
Source reference: Annex III, entry 360 · 03/10/2023
Mentha Piperita Oil
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.
Source reference: Annex III, entry 361 · 03/10/2023
Mentha Viridis Leaf Oil
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.
Source reference: Annex III, entry 362 · 03/10/2023
Narcissus Poeticus Extract; Narcissus Pseudonarcissus Flower Extract; Narcissus Jonquilla Extract, Narcissus Tazetta Extract
The presence of the substance or substances shall be indicated as ‘Narcissus 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 — 0,01 % in…
Source reference: Annex III, entry 363 · 03/10/2023
Pelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil
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.
Source reference: Annex III, entry 364 · 03/10/2023
Pogostemon Cablin Oil
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.
Source reference: Annex III, entry 365 · 03/10/2023
Rosa Damascena Flower Oil; Rosa Damascena Flower Extract; Rosa Alba Flower Oil; Rosa Alba Flower Extract; Rosa Canina Flower Oil; Rosa Centifolia Flower Oil; Rosa Centifolia Flower Extract; Rosa Gallica Flower Oil; Rosa Moschata Flower Oil; Rosa Rugosa Flower Oil
The presence of the substance or substances shall be indicated as ‘Rose Flower 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 — 0,0…
Source reference: Annex III, entry 366 · 03/10/2023
Santalum Album Oil
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.
Source reference: Annex III, entry 367 · 03/10/2023
Phenol, 2-methoxy- 4-(2-propenyl)-, acetate
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.
Source reference: Annex III, entry 368 · 15/09/2023
Geranyl Acetate
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.
Source reference: Annex III, entry 369 · 03/10/2023
3-(N-Hexadecyl-N-2-hydroxyethylammonio) propylbis (2-hydroxyethyl) ammonium difluoride
Oral products
Source reference: Annex III, entry 37 · 14/05/2013
Isoeugenyl Acetate
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.
Source reference: Annex III, entry 370 · 03/10/2023
Pinene
The presence of the substance or the substances shall be indicated in the list of ingredients referred to in Article 19(1), point (g), when the concentration of the substance or the substances exceeds: — 0,001 % in leave-on products — 0,01 % in rinse-off prod…
Source reference: Annex III, entry 371 · 03/10/2023
Hydroxyapatite (nano)
For (a) and (b): Not to be used in applications that may lead to exposure of the end-user’s lungs by inhalation. Only nanomaterials having the following characteristics are allowed: — [composed of] rod-shaped particles of which at least 95,8 % (in particle nu…
Source reference: Annex III, entry 372 · 04/06/2024
Genistein
From 1 February 2025 cosmetic products containing that substance and not complying with the conditions shall not be placed on the Union market. From 1 November 2025 cosmetic products containing that substance and not complying with the conditions shall not be…
Source reference: Annex III, entry 373 · 04/04/2024
Daidzein
From 1 February 2025 cosmetic products containing that substance and not complying with the conditions shall not be placed on the Union market. From 1 November 2025 cosmetic products containing that substance and not complying with the conditions shall not be…
Source reference: Annex III, entry 374 · 04/04/2024
Kojic Acid
From 1 February 2025 cosmetic products containing that substance and not complying with the conditions shall not be placed on the Union market. From 1 November 2025 cosmetic products containing that substance and not complying with the conditions shall not be…
Source reference: Annex III, entry 375 · 04/04/2024
Retinol; Retinyl Acetate; Retinyl Palmitate
From 1 November 2025 cosmetic products containing that substance and not complying with the conditions shall not be placed on the Union market. From 1 May 2027 cosmetic products containing that substance and not complying with the conditions shall not be made…
Source reference: Annex III, entry 376 · 04/04/2024
Alpha-Arbutin
Hydroquinone levels shall remain as low as possible in formulations containing alpha-Arbutin and shall not be higher than the unavoidable trace level. From 1 February 2025 cosmetic products containing that substance and not complying with the conditions shal…
Source reference: Annex III, entry 377 · 04/04/2024
Arbutin
Hydroquinone levels shall remain as low as possible in formulations containing alpha-Arbutin and shall not be higher than the unavoidable trace level. From 1 February 2025 cosmetic products containing that substance and not complying with the conditions shal…
Source reference: Annex III, entry 378 · 04/04/2024
Silver
(a) Toothpaste (b) Mouthwash
Source reference: Annex III, entry 379 · 15/01/2026
N,N',N'-Tris(polyoxyethylene)-N-hexadecylpropylenediamine dihydrofluoride
Oral products
Source reference: Annex III, entry 38 · 14/05/2013
Hexyl Salicylate
Not to be used in preparations for children under 3 years of age, with the exception of (d) “Toothpaste” and (f).
Source reference: Annex III, entry 380 · 15/01/2026
OCTADECENYLAMMONIUM FLUORIDE
Oral products
Source reference: Annex III, entry 39 · 05/07/2023
SODIUM FLUOROSILICATE
Oral products
Source reference: Annex III, entry 40 · 14/05/2013
POTASSIUM FLUOROSILICATE
Oral products
Source reference: Annex III, entry 41 · 14/05/2013
Ammonium fluorosilicate
Oral products
Source reference: Annex III, entry 42 · 14/05/2013
MAGNESIUM FLUOROSILICATE
Oral products
Source reference: Annex III, entry 43 · 14/05/2013
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.