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NZEnglishOfficial records available

New Zealand cosmetic ingredient regulations

Official group-standard schedules cover prohibited, restricted and positive-list substances.

Regulator
Environmental Protection Authority
Source language
English
Coverage version
Cosmetic Products Group Standard schedules effective 1 January 2026

What this list is

New Zealand regulates cosmetics as hazardous substances. The rules sit in a group standard issued by the Environmental Protection Authority, not in a cosmetics act, and the schedules read differently as a result.

  • 2,913 New Zealand records: 2,166 prohibited, 390 restricted, 357 on a positive list.
  • The instrument is the Cosmetic Products Group Standard, made under the Hazardous Substances and New Organisms Act.
  • The regulator is the Environmental Protection Authority, not a medicines or food agency.
  • Schedules 4 to 8 mirror the EU annex structure closely, which makes the divergences easy to miss.

New Zealand reaches cosmetics through hazardous-substances law. The Cosmetic Products Group Standard, issued under the Hazardous Substances and New Organisms Act, sets the conditions under which cosmetic products may be imported or manufactured, and the Environmental Protection Authority administers it. There is no separate cosmetics regulator.

In substance the schedules will look familiar: schedules 4 through 8 are laid out much like the EU annexes, with prohibited substances, restricted substances and positive lists for colourants, preservatives and UV filters. That resemblance is the risk. Because the structure matches, it is easy to assume the contents do, and the group standard is amended on its own schedule by its own authority.

The 2,913 records here carry the status the group standard gives them. Where a substance appears as restricted, the limit and conditions are as written in the schedule; where a substance does not appear, no New Zealand entry was resolved for it, which is not the same as a finding that it may be used.

Checked against

Official ingredient records

2913 matching records
Permitted list with conditionsBinding ruleOriginal is EnglishOfficial-source import checked

Benzoic acid and its sodium salt (sodium benzoate)

CAS 65-85-0 · EC 200-618-2

New Zealand Cosmetic Products Group Standard Schedule 7, reference 1.

Conditions: Product scope: (a) Rinse-off products, except oral care products (b) Oral care products (c) Leave-on products · Maximum concentration: (a) 2.5% (acid) (b) 1.7% (acid) (c) 0.5% (acid)

Source:Schedule 7, reference 1, source row 2 · version effective-2026-01-01 · effective Jan. 1, 2026 · source checked 2026-08-30

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Permitted list with conditionsBinding ruleOriginal is EnglishOfficial-source import checked

Benzoic acid and its sodium salt (sodium benzoate)

CAS 532-32-1 · EC 208-534-8

New Zealand Cosmetic Products Group Standard Schedule 7, reference 1.

Conditions: Product scope: (a) Rinse-off products, except oral care products (b) Oral care products (c) Leave-on products · Maximum concentration: (a) 2.5% (acid) (b) 1.7% (acid) (c) 0.5% (acid)

Source:Schedule 7, reference 1, source row 3 · version effective-2026-01-01 · effective Jan. 1, 2026 · source checked 2026-08-30

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Permitted list with conditionsBinding ruleOriginal is EnglishOfficial-source import checked

Benzoic acid, 2-[-4-(diethylamino)-2-hydroxybenzoyl]-, hexyl ester (diethylamino hydroxybenzoyl hexyl benzoate)

CAS 302776-68-7 · EC 443-860-6

New Zealand Cosmetic Products Group Standard Schedule 8, reference 28.

Conditions: Maximum concentration: 10%

Source:Schedule 8, reference 28, source row 34 · version effective-2026-01-01 · effective Jan. 1, 2026 · source checked 2026-08-30

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Permitted list with conditionsBinding ruleOriginal is EnglishOfficial-source import checked

Benzoic acid, 4,4-((6-((4-(((1,1-dimethylethyl)amino)carbonyl)phenyl)amino)-1,3,5-triazine-2,4-diyl)diimino)bis-, bis-(2-ethylhexyl)ester) (diethylhexyl butamido triazone, iscotrizinol)

CAS 154702-15-5

New Zealand Cosmetic Products Group Standard Schedule 8, reference 17.

Conditions: Maximum concentration: 10%

Source:Schedule 8, reference 17, source row 19 · version effective-2026-01-01 · effective Jan. 1, 2026 · source checked 2026-08-30

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RestrictedBinding ruleOriginal is EnglishOfficial-source import checked

Benzoyl peroxide (dibenzoyl peroxide)

CAS 94-36-0 · EC 202-327-6

New Zealand Cosmetic Products Group Standard Schedule 5, reference 94.

Conditions: Product scope: Artificial nail systems · Maximum concentration: 0.7% (after mixing) · Other limitations: For professional use only · Warnings: For professional use only. Avoid skin contact. Read directions for use carefully.

Source:Schedule 5, reference 94, source row 123 · version effective-2026-01-01 · effective Jan. 1, 2026 · source checked 2026-08-30

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RestrictedBinding ruleOriginal is EnglishOfficial-source import checked

Benzyl alcoholΩ

CAS 100-51-6 · EC 202-859-9

New Zealand Cosmetic Products Group Standard Schedule 5, reference 45.

Conditions: Product scope: (a) Solvent (b) Fragrance/aromatic compositions/their raw materials · Other limitations: (a) and (b): For purposes other than inhibiting the development of microorganisms in the product. This purpose has to be apparent from the presentation of the product (b) The presence of the substance must be indicated in the list of ingredients referred to in Schedule 1, condition 1(2) when its concentration exceeds: - 0.001% in leave-on products - 0.01% in rinse-off products

Source:Schedule 5, reference 45, source row 66 · version effective-2026-01-01 · effective Jan. 1, 2026 · source checked 2026-08-30

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RestrictedBinding ruleOriginal is EnglishOfficial-source import checked

Benzyl benzoate

CAS 120-51-4 · EC 204-402-9

New Zealand Cosmetic Products Group Standard Schedule 5, reference 85.

Conditions: Other limitations: The presence of the substance must be indicated in the list of ingredients referred to in Schedule 1, condition 1(2) when its concentration exceeds: 0.001% in leave-on products 0.01% in rinse-off products

Source:Schedule 5, reference 85, source row 113 · version effective-2026-01-01 · effective Jan. 1, 2026 · source checked 2026-08-30

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RestrictedBinding ruleOriginal is EnglishOfficial-source import checked

Benzyl cinnamate (2-propenoic acid, 3-phenyl-, phenylmethyl ester)

CAS 103-41-3 · EC 203-109-3

New Zealand Cosmetic Products Group Standard Schedule 5, reference 81.

Conditions: Other limitations: The presence of the substance must be indicated in the list of ingredients referred to in Schedule 1, condition 1(2) when its concentration exceeds: 0.001% in leave-on products 0.01% in rinse-off products

Source:Schedule 5, reference 81, source row 109 · version effective-2026-01-01 · effective Jan. 1, 2026 · source checked 2026-08-30

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RestrictedBinding ruleOriginal is EnglishOfficial-source import checked

Benzyl salicylate

CAS 118-58-1 · EC 204-262-9

New Zealand Cosmetic Products Group Standard Schedule 5, reference 75.

Conditions: Other limitations: The presence of the substance must be indicated in the list of ingredients referred to in Schedule 1, condition 1(2) when its concentration exceeds: 0.001% in leave-on products 0.01% in rinse-off products

Source:Schedule 5, reference 75, source row 103 · version effective-2026-01-01 · effective Jan. 1, 2026 · source checked 2026-08-30

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Permitted list with conditionsBinding ruleOriginal is EnglishOfficial-source import checked

Biphenyl-2-ol (o-phenylphenol) and its salts

CAS 90-43-7 · EC 201-993-5

New Zealand Cosmetic Products Group Standard Schedule 7, reference 7.

Conditions: Product scope: (a) Rinse-off products (b) Leave-on products · Maximum concentration: (a) 0.2% (expressed as the phenol) (b) 0.15% (expressed as the phenol) · Warnings: Avoid contact with eyes.

Source:Schedule 7, reference 7, source row 35 · version effective-2026-01-01 · effective Jan. 1, 2026 · source checked 2026-08-30

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RestrictedBinding ruleOriginal is EnglishOfficial-source import checked

Bis(8-hydroxyquinolium) sulfate (quinolin-8-ol sulfate)

CAS 148-24-3 · EC 205-711-1

New Zealand Cosmetic Products Group Standard Schedule 5, reference 51.

Conditions: Product scope: (a) Stabilizer for hydrogen peroxide in rinse-off hair-care preparations (b) Stabilizer for hydrogen peroxide in non-rinse-off hair care preparations · Maximum concentration: (a) 0.3% calculated as base (b) 0.03% calculated as base

Source:Schedule 5, reference 51, source row 72 · version effective-2026-01-01 · effective Jan. 1, 2026 · source checked 2026-08-30

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RestrictedBinding ruleOriginal is EnglishOfficial-source import checked

Bis(8-hydroxyquinolium) sulfate (quinolin-8-ol sulfate)

CAS 134-31-6 · EC 205-137-1

New Zealand Cosmetic Products Group Standard Schedule 5, reference 51.

Conditions: Product scope: (a) Stabilizer for hydrogen peroxide in rinse-off hair-care preparations (b) Stabilizer for hydrogen peroxide in non-rinse-off hair care preparations · Maximum concentration: (a) 0.3% calculated as base (b) 0.03% calculated as base

Source:Schedule 5, reference 51, source row 73 · version effective-2026-01-01 · effective Jan. 1, 2026 · source checked 2026-08-30

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Permitted list with conditionsBinding ruleOriginal is EnglishOfficial-source import checked

Bisbenzimidazo[2,1-b:2',1'-i]benzo​[lmn][3,8]phenanthroline-8,17-dione (Pigment Orange 43)

CAS 4424-06-0 · EC 224-597-4

New Zealand Cosmetic Products Group Standard Schedule 6, reference 97.

Conditions: Colour index: 71105 · CAS: 4424-06-0 · Colour: Orange · Product scope: Not to be used in products applied on mucous membranes

Source:Schedule 6, reference 97, source row 99 · version effective-2026-01-01 · effective Jan. 1, 2026 · source checked 2026-08-30

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Market coverage contract

Complete schedules dataset
Included scope
Schedules 4–8: prohibited, restricted, colourant, preservative and UV-filter entries.
If no match is found
The searchable spreadsheet is an aid; the legal Group Standard and incorporated notices remain authoritative.

Complete verification checklist

  1. Search exact identity across Schedules 4–8.
  2. Apply use, concentration and warning conditions.
  3. Check hazardous-substance classification and Group Standard scope.
  4. Confirm the latest legal instrument, not only the spreadsheet.

How New Zealand 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.

27 substances where New Zealand is stricter than some markets

A formula cleared elsewhere can fail here.

Boric AcidDiethylene GlycolPhenolCatalaseDichloromethaneDihydrocoumarinOxyquinolineThiramZirconium PowderButaneChloropheneFormaldehydeHydroquinoneIsobutaneQUATERNIUM-15Sodium PerborateButylphenyl MethylpropionalCholecalciferolMethylene GlycolSilver NitrateEthylhexyl EthylhexanoateTagetes Erecta Flower ExtractAmmonium Silver Zinc Aluminum SilicateOxyquinoline SulfateSodium BorateErgocalciferolDihydroxyacetone
165 substances where New Zealand is more permissive than some markets

Permitted here under conditions and prohibited, or more tightly held, elsewhere — so a formula built for this market may not travel.

Methyl Alcohol1-NAPHTHOLBenzoyl PeroxideChloramine THydrogen PeroxideP-HYDROXYANISOLE1,5-NAPHTHALENEDIOL2,7-NAPHTHALENEDIOL2-AMINO-6-CHLORO-4-NITROPHENOL2-METHYLRESORCINOL3-NITRO-P-HYDROXYETHYLAMINOPHENOL4-AMINO-2-HYDROXYTOLUENE4-AMINO-3-NITROPHENOL4-AMINO-M-CRESOLButoxyethanolDichloropheneM-AMINOPHENOLMethyl EugenolNitromethaneP-PHENYLENEDIAMINEPhenyl Methyl PyrazoloneSilver NitrateTalcTOLUENE-2,5-DIAMINEZinc Pyrithione1,3-BIS-(2,4-DIAMINOPHENOXY)PROPANE1-HYDROXYETHYL 4,5-DIAMINO Pyrazole Sulfate2,6-DIAMINOPYRIDINE2,6-DIHYDROXY-3,4-DIMETHYLPYRIDINE2,6-DIHYDROXYETHYLAMINOTOLUENE2-AMINO-3-HYDROXYPYRIDINE2-AMINO-4-HYDROXYETHYLAMINOANISOLE2-CHLORO-6-ETHYLAMINO-4-NITROPHENOL2-HYDROXYETHYL Picramic Acid2-HYDROXYETHYLAMINO-5-NITROANISOLE2-METHYL-5-HYDROXYETHYLAMINOPHENOL3-AMINO-2,4-DICHLOROPHENOL3-METHYLAMINO-4-NITROPHENOXYETHANOL4-HYDROXYPROPYLAMINO-3-NITROPHENOL4-NITRO-O-PHENYLENEDIAMINE

and 125 more — see the full comparison

Official sources and legal role

New Zealand cosmetic product schedules 4–8

Prohibited and restricted substances, permitted colorants, preservatives and UV filters

Legal meaning: Official EPA group standard schedules; current market-specific rule source

Available language: English

What this market page can answer

Source and authority

Identify the official material and the regulator responsible for it: Environmental Protection Authority.

Language and scope

See whether usable English or bilingual material exists and what the mapped source actually covers. Current source language: English.

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

  1. Search the ingredient by INCI name, CAS number or EC number and record the exact identity.
  2. Open each official source above and check the current version, product scope, concentration limits and required warnings.
  3. Confirm effective dates and whether an English text is official, reviewed or only contextual.
  4. Treat a missing local match as unknown, never as permission or a safety conclusion.
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