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 recordsPhenazinium, 3,7-diamino-2,8-dimethyl-5-phenyl- and its salts, when used as a substance in hair dye products
Source reference: Annex II, entry 1322 · 21/10/2010
3-Hydroxy-4-[(2-hydroxynaphthyl)azo]-7-nitronaphthalene-1-sulphonic acid and its salts, when used as a substance in hair dye products
Source reference: Annex II, entry 1323 · 21/10/2010
3-[(2-nitro-4-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)amino]propane-1,2-diol (HC Yellow No 6) and its salts, when used as a substance in hair dye products
Source reference: Annex II, entry 1324 · 21/10/2010
2-[(4-Chloro-2-nitrophenyl)amino]ethanol (HC Yellow No 12) and its salts, when used as a substance in hair dye products
Source reference: Annex II, entry 1325 · 21/10/2010
3-[[4-[(2-Hydroxyethyl)methylamino]-2-nitrophenyl]amino]-1,2-propanediol and its salts, when used as a substance in hair dye products
Source reference: Annex II, entry 1326 · 21/10/2010
3-[[4-[Ethyl(2-Hydroxyethyl)Amino]-2-Nitrophe nyl]Amino]-1,2-Propanediol and its salts, when used as a substance in hair dye products.
Source reference: Annex II, entry 1327 · 08/06/2023
Ethanaminium, N-[4-[[4-(diethylamino)phenyl][4-(ethylamino)-1-naphthalenyl]methylene]-2,5-cyclohexadien-1-ylidine]-N-ethyl-, and its salts, when used as a substance in hair dye products
Source reference: Annex II, entry 1328 · 21/10/2010
4-[(4-Aminophenyl)(4-iminocyclohexa-2,5-dien-1-ylidene)methyl]-o-toluidine (CAS 3248-93-9; EINECS 221-832-2) and its hydrochloride salt (Basic Violet 14; CI 42510) (CAS 632-99-5; EINECS 211-189-6) when used as a substance in hair dye products
Source reference: Annex II, entry 1329 · 14/08/2020
Methyprylon (INN) and its salts
Source reference: Annex II, entry 133 · 20/10/2010
4-(2,4-Dihydroxyphenylazo)benzensulphonic acid (CAS 2050-34-2; EINECS 218-087-0) and its sodium salt (Acid Orange 6; CI 14270) (CAS 547-57-9; EINECS 208-924-8) when used as substance in hair dye products
Source reference: Annex II, entry 1330 · 13/08/2020
3-Hydroxy-4-(phenylazo)-2-naphthoic acid and its calcium salt (Pigment Red 64:1; CI 15800) when used as a substance in hair dye products
Source reference: Annex II, entry 1331 · 07/05/2013
2-(6-Hydroxy-3-oxo-(3H)xanthen-9-yl)benzoic acid; Fluorescein and its disodium salt (Acid Yellow 73 sodium salt; CI 45350), when used as a substance in hair dye products
Source reference: Annex II, entry 1332 · 07/05/2013
4',5'-Dibromo-3',6'-dihydroxyspiro[isobenzofuran-1(3H),9'-[9H]xanthene]-3-one; 4',5'-Dibromofluorescein; (Solvent Red 72) and its disodium salt (CI 45370) when used as a substance in hair dye products
Source reference: Annex II, entry 1333 · 07/05/2013
2-(3,6-Dihydroxy-2,4,5,7-tetrabromoxanthen-9-yl)benzoic acid; Fluorescein, 2',4',5',7'-tetrabromo-;(Solvent Red 43), its disodium salt (Acid Red 87; CI 45380) and its aluminium salt (Pigment Red 90:1 Aluminium lake) when used as a substance in hair dye products
Source reference: Annex II, entry 1334 · 07/05/2013
Xanthylium, 9-(2-carboxyphenyl)-3-((2-methylphenyl)amino)-6-((2-methyl-4-sulfophenyl)amino)-, inner salt and its sodium salt (Acid Violet 9; CI 45190) when used as a substance in hair dye products
Source reference: Annex II, entry 1335 · 07/05/2013
3',6'-Dihydroxy-4',5'-diiodospiro(isobenzofuran-1(3H),9'-[9H]xanthene)-3-one; (Solvent Red 73) and its sodium salt (Acid Red 95; CI 45425) when used as a substance in hair dye products
Source reference: Annex II, entry 1336 · 07/05/2013
2',4',5',7'-Tetraiodofluorescein, its disodium salt (Acid Red 51; CI 45430) and its aluminium salt (Pigment Red 172 Aluminium lake) when used as a substance in hair dye products
Source reference: Annex II, entry 1337 · 07/05/2013
1-Hydroxy-2,4-diaminobenzene (2,4-Diaminophenol) and its dihydrochloride salts (2,4-Diaminophenol HCl) when used as a substance in hair dye products
Source reference: Annex II, entry 1338 · 07/05/2013
1,4-Dihydroxybenzene (Hydroquinone), with the exception of entry 14 in Annex III
Source reference: Annex II, entry 1339 · 07/05/2013
Digitaline and all heterosides of Digitalis purpurea L.
Source reference: Annex II, entry 134 · 15/10/2010
[4-[[4-Anilino-1-naphthyl][4-(dimethylamino)phenyl]methylene]cyclohexa-2,5-dien-1-ylidene]dimethylammonium chloride (Basic Blue 26; CI 44045) when used as a substance in hair dye products
Source reference: Annex II, entry 1340 · 14/08/2020
Disodium 3-[(2,4-dimethyl-5-sulphonatophenyl)azo]-4-hydroxynaphthalene-1-sulphonate (Ponceaux SX; CI 14700) when used as a substance in hair dye products
Source reference: Annex II, entry 1341 · 13/08/2020
Trisodium tris[5,6-dihydro-5-(hydroxyimino)-6-oxonaphthalene-2-sulphonate(2-)-N5,O6]ferrate(3-); (Acid Green 1; CI 10020) when used as a substance in hair dye products
Source reference: Annex II, entry 1342 · 14/08/2020
4-(Phenylazo)resorcinol (Solvent Orange 1; CI 11920) and its salts, when used as a substance in hair dye products
Source reference: Annex II, entry 1343 · 13/08/2020
4-[(4-Ethoxyphenyl)azo]naphthol (Solvent Red 3; CI 12010) and its salts, when used as a substance in hair dye products
Source reference: Annex II, entry 1344 · 13/08/2020
1-[(2-Chloro-4-nitrophenyl)azo]-2-naphthol (Pigment Red 4; CI 12085) and its salts when used as a substance in hair dye products
Source reference: Annex II, entry 1345 · 13/08/2020
3-Hydroxy-N-(o-tolyl)-4-[(2,4,5-trichlorophenyl)azo]naphthalene-2-carboxamide (Pigment Red 112; CI 12370) and its salts when used as a substance in hair dye products
Source reference: Annex II, entry 1346 · 13/08/2020
N-(5-Chloro-2,4-dimethoxyphenyl)-4-[[5-[(diethylamino)sulphonyl]-2-methoxyphenyl]azo]-3-hydroxynaphthalene-2-carboxamide (Pigment Red 5; CI 12490) and its salts when used as a substance in hair dye products
Source reference: Annex II, entry 1347 · 13/08/2020
Disodium 4-[(5-chloro-4-methyl-2-sulphonatophenyl)azo]-3-hydroxy-2-naphthoate (Pigment Red 48; CI 15865) when used as a substance in hair dye products
Source reference: Annex II, entry 1348 · 08/05/2013
Calcium 3-hydroxy-4-[(1-sulphonato-2-naphthyl)azo]-2-naphthoate (Pigment Red 63:1; CI 15880) when used as a substance in hair dye products
Source reference: Annex II, entry 1349 · 13/08/2020
7-[2-Hydroxy-3-(N-(2-hydroxyethyl)-N-methylamino)propyl]theophylline; (Xanthinol)
Source reference: Annex II, entry 135 · 15/10/2010
Trisodium 3-hydroxy-4-(4'-sulphonatonaphthylazo)naphthalene-2,7-disulphonate (Acid Red 27; CI 16185) when used as a substance in hair dye products
Source reference: Annex II, entry 1350 · 13/08/2020
2,2'-[(3,3'-Dichloro[1,1'-biphenyl]-4,4'-diyl)bis(azo)]bis[N-(2,4-dimethylphenyl)-3-oxobutyramide] (Pigment Yellow 13; CI 21100) when used as a substance in hair dye products
Source reference: Annex II, entry 1351 · 13/08/2020
2,2'-[Cyclohexylidenebis[(2-methyl-4,1-phenylene)azo]]bis[4-cyclohexylphenol] (Solvent Yellow 29; CI 21230) when used as a substance in hair dye products
Source reference: Annex II, entry 1352 · 13/08/2020
1-((4-Phenylazo)phenylazo)-2-naphthol (Solvent Red 23; CI 26100) when used as a substance in hair dye products
Source reference: Annex II, entry 1353 · 13/08/2020
Tetrasodium 6-amino-4-hydroxy-3-[[7-sulphonato-4-[(4-sulphonatophenyl)azo]-1-naphthyl]azo]naphthalene-2,7-disulphonate (Food Black 2; CI 27755) when used as a substance in hair dye products
Source reference: Annex II, entry 1354 · 08/05/2013
Ethanaminium, N-(4-((4-diethylamino)phenyl)(2,4-disulfophenyl)methylene)-2,5-cyclohexadien-1-ylidene)-N-ethyl-, hydroxide, inner salt, sodium salt (Acid Blue 1; CI 42045) when used as a substance in hair dye products
Source reference: Annex II, entry 1355 · 13/08/2020
Ethanaminium, N-(4-((4-diethylamino)phenyl)(5-hydroxy-2,4-disulfophenyl)methylene)-2,5-cyclohexadien-1-ylidene)-N-ethyl-, hydroxide, inner salt, calcium salt (2:1) (Acid Blue 3; CI 42051) when used as a substance in hair dye products
Source reference: Annex II, entry 1356 · 08/05/2013
Benzenemethanaminium, N-ethyl-N-(4-((4-(ethyl((3-sulfophenyl)methyl)amino)phenyl)(4-hydroxy-2-sulfophenyl)methylene)-2,5-cyclohexadien-1-ylidene)-3-sulfo-, hydroxide, inner salt, disodium salt (Fast Green FCF; CI 42053) when used as a substance in hair dye products
Source reference: Annex II, entry 1357 · 13/08/2020
1,3-Isobenzofurandione, reaction products with methylquinoline and quinoline (Solvent Yellow 33; CI 47000) when used as a substance in hair dye products
Source reference: Annex II, entry 1358 · 08/05/2013
Nigrosine (CI 50420) when used as a substance in hair dye products
Source reference: Annex II, entry 1359 · 08/05/2013
Dioxethedrin (INN) and its salts
Source reference: Annex II, entry 136 · 15/10/2010
8,18-Dichloro-5,15-diethyl-5,15-dihydrodiindolo[3,2-b:3',2'-m]triphenodioxazine (Pigment Violet 23; CI 51319) when used as a substance in hair dye products
Source reference: Annex II, entry 1360 · 08/05/2013
1,2-Dihydroxyanthraquinone (Pigment Red 83; CI 58000) when used as a substance in hair dye products
Source reference: Annex II, entry 1361 · 08/05/2013
Trisodium 8-hydroxypyrene-1,3,6-trisulphonate (Solvent Green 7; CI 59040) when used as a substance in hair dye products
Source reference: Annex II, entry 1362 · 08/05/2013
1-Hydroxy-4-(p-toluidino)anthraquinone (Solvent Violet 13; CI 60725) when used as a substance in hair dye products
Source reference: Annex II, entry 1363 · 08/05/2013
1,4-bis(p-Tolylamino)anthraquinone (Solvent Green 3; CI 61565) when used as a substance in hair dye products
Source reference: Annex II, entry 1364 · 08/05/2013
6-Chloro-2-(6-chloro-4-methyl-3-oxobenzo[b]thien-2(3H)-ylidene)-4-methylbenzo[b]thiophene-3(2H)-one (VAT Red 1; CI 73360) when used as a substance in hair dye products
Source reference: Annex II, entry 1365 · 08/05/2013
5,12-Dihydroquino[2,3-b]acridine-7,14-dione (Pigment Violet 19; CI 73900) when used as a substance in hair dye products
Source reference: Annex II, entry 1366 · 08/05/2013
(29H,31H-Phthalocyaninato(2-)-N29,N30,N31,N32)copper (Pigment Blue 15; CI 74160) when used as a substance in hair dye products
Source reference: Annex II, entry 1367 · 08/05/2013
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.