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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

Mica

CAS 12001-26-2 · EC 310-127-6 (I)

New Zealand Cosmetic Products Group Standard Schedule 6, reference 1.

Conditions: Colour index: 77019 · CAS: 12001-26-2 · Colour: Shine

Source:Schedule 6, reference 1, source row 180 · version effective-2026-01-01 · effective Jan. 1, 2026 · source checked 2026-08-30

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ProhibitedBinding ruleOriginal is EnglishOfficial-source import checked

Mineral wool, with the exception of those specified elsewhere in this Group Standard (man-made vitreous (silicate) fibres with random orientation with alkaline oxide and alkali earth oxide (Na2O + K2O + CaO + MgO + BaO) content greater than 18% by weight)

New Zealand Cosmetic Products Group Standard Schedule 4, reference 1127.

Source:Schedule 4, reference 1127, source row 1158 · 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

Mixture of: 5-chloro-2-methyl-isothiazol-3(2H)-one and 2-methylisothiazol-3(2H)-one (methylchloroisothiazolinone and methylisothiazolinone)

CAS 6172-55-4

New Zealand Cosmetic Products Group Standard Schedule 7, reference 39.

Conditions: Product scope: Rinse-off products · Maximum concentration: 0.0015% of a mixture in the ratio 3:1 of 5-chloro-2-methylisothiazol-3(2H)-one and 2-methylisothiazol-3(2H)-one

Source:Schedule 7, reference 39, source row 102 · 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

Mixture of: 5-chloro-2-methyl-isothiazol-3(2H)-one and 2-methylisothiazol-3(2H)-one (methylchloroisothiazolinone and methylisothiazolinone)

CAS 2682-20-4 · EC 220-239-6

New Zealand Cosmetic Products Group Standard Schedule 7, reference 39.

Conditions: Product scope: Rinse-off products · Maximum concentration: 0.0015% of a mixture in the ratio 3:1 of 5-chloro-2-methylisothiazol-3(2H)-one and 2-methylisothiazol-3(2H)-one

Source:Schedule 7, reference 39, 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

Mixture of: 5-chloro-2-methyl-isothiazol-3(2H)-one and 2-methylisothiazol-3(2H)-one (methylchloroisothiazolinone and methylisothiazolinone)

CAS 55965-84-9

New Zealand Cosmetic Products Group Standard Schedule 7, reference 39.

Conditions: Product scope: Rinse-off products · Maximum concentration: 0.0015% of a mixture in the ratio 3:1 of 5-chloro-2-methylisothiazol-3(2H)-one and 2-methylisothiazol-3(2H)-one

Source:Schedule 7, reference 39, source row 104 · 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

Monoalkylamines, monoalkanolamines and their salts

New Zealand Cosmetic Products Group Standard Schedule 5, reference 61.

Conditions: Maximum concentration: Maximum secondary amine content: 0.5% · Other limitations: Do not use with nitrosating systems Minimum purity: 99% Maximum secondary amine content: 0.5% (applies to raw materials) Maximum nitrosamine content: 50 μg/kg Keep in nitrite-free containers

Source:Schedule 5, reference 61, source row 83 · 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

Musk ketone (4'-tert-butyl-2',6'-dimethyl-3',5'-dinitroacetophenone)

CAS 81-14-1 · EC 201-328-9

New Zealand Cosmetic Products Group Standard Schedule 5, reference 97.

Conditions: Product scope: All cosmetic products, with the exception of oral care products · Maximum concentration: (a) 1.4% in fine fragrance (b) 0.56% in eau de toilette (c) 0.042% in other products

Source:Schedule 5, reference 97, source row 126 · 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

Musk xylene (5-tert-butyl-2,4,6-trinitro-m-xylene)

CAS 81-15-2 · EC 201-329-4

New Zealand Cosmetic Products Group Standard Schedule 5, reference 96.

Conditions: Product scope: All cosmetic products, with the exception of oral care products · Maximum concentration: (a) 1.0% in fine fragrance (b) 0.4% in eau de toilette (c) 0.03% in other products

Source:Schedule 5, reference 96, source row 125 · 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

N,N'-(3,3'-Dimethyl[1,1'-biphenyl]-4,4'-diyl)bis[2-[(2,4-dichlorophenyl)​azo]-3-oxobutyramide] (Pigment Yellow 16)

CAS 5979-28-2 · EC 227-783-3

New Zealand Cosmetic Products Group Standard Schedule 6, reference 45.

Conditions: Colour index: 20040 · CAS: 5979-28-2 · Colour: Yellow · Product scope: Rinse-off products · Other limitations: Maximum 3,3'-dimethylbenzidine concentration in the colouring agent: 5 ppm

Source:Schedule 6, reference 45, source row 47 · version effective-2026-01-01 · effective Jan. 1, 2026 · source checked 2026-08-30

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ProhibitedBinding ruleOriginal is EnglishOfficial-source import checked

N,N'-Methylenedimorpholine; N,N'-methylenebismorpholine; [formaldehyde released from N,N'-methylenebismorpholine] (MBM) If the maximum theoretical concentration of releasable formaldehyde, irrespective of the source, in the mixture as placed on the market is ≥ 0.1% w/w

N,N'-Methylenedimorpholine; N,N'-methylenebismorpholine; [formaldehyde released from N,N'-methylenebismorpholine] (MBM) If the maximum theoretical concentration of releasable formaldehyde, irrespective of the source, in the mixture as placed on the market

CAS 5625-90-1

New Zealand Cosmetic Products Group Standard Schedule 4, reference 1605.

Source:Schedule 4, reference 1605, source row 2092 · 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

N,N′,N′-Tris(polyoxyethylene)-N-hexadecylpropylenediamine dihydrofluoride

New Zealand Cosmetic Products Group Standard Schedule 5, reference 38.

Conditions: Product scope: Oral products · Maximum concentration: 0.15% calculated as F When mixed with other fluorine compounds permitted under Schedule 5, total F concentration must not exceed 0.15% · Warnings: Contains N,N′,N′-Tris(polyoxyethylene)-N-hexadecylpropylenediamine dihydrofluoride. For any toothpaste with compounds containing fluorine at a concentration of 0.1 to 0.15%, calculated as F, unless it is already labelled as contra-indicated for children (e.g. for adult use only) the following labelling is obligatory: Children five years and under should use a smear of toothpaste and children six years and over should use a pea-sized amount of toothpaste.

Source:Schedule 5, reference 38, source row 59 · 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

N,N″-Bis(4-chlorophenyl)-3,12-di​imino-2,4,11,13tetraazatetra​deca​nediamidine (chlorhexidine) and its digluconate, diacetate, and dihydrochloride e.g. chlorhexidine

CAS 55-56-1 · EC 200-238-7

New Zealand Cosmetic Products Group Standard Schedule 7, reference 42.

Conditions: Maximum concentration: 0.3% (expressed as chlorhexidine)

Source:Schedule 7, reference 42, source row 107 · 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

N,N″-Bis(4-chlorophenyl)-3,12-di​imino-2,4,11,13tetraazatetra​deca​nediamidine (chlorhexidine) and its digluconate, diacetate, and dihydrochloride e.g. chlorhexidine diacetate

CAS 56-95-1 · EC 200-302-4

New Zealand Cosmetic Products Group Standard Schedule 7, reference 42.

Conditions: Maximum concentration: 0.3% (expressed as chlorhexidine)

Source:Schedule 7, reference 42, source row 108 · version effective-2026-01-01 · effective Jan. 1, 2026 · source checked 2026-08-30

View full recordIngredient profile

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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