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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

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 digluconate

CAS 18472-51-0 · EC 242-354-0

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 109 · 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 dihydrochloride

CAS 3697-42-5 · EC 223-026-6

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 110 · 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-(2-Hydroxyethyl)-2-nitro-4-trifluormethyl-aniline (HC Yellow No. 13)

CAS 10442-83-8 · EC 443-760-2

New Zealand Cosmetic Products Group Standard Schedule 5, reference 261.

Conditions: Product scope: (a) Hair dye substance in non-oxidative hair dye products (b) Hair dye substance in non-oxidative hair dye products · Maximum concentration: (a) After mixing under oxidative conditions the maximum concentration applied to hair must not exceed 2.5% (b) 2.5% · Other limitations: (a) and (b): - Do not use with nitrosating agents - Maximum nitrosamine content: 50 μg/kg - Keep in nitrite-free containers · Warnings: For (a): The mixing ratio. ⚠Hair colourants can cause severe allergic reactions. Read and follow instructions. This product is not intended for use on persons under the age of 16. Temporary “black henna” tattoos may increase your risk of allergy. Do not colour your hair if: - you have a rash on your face or sensitive, irritated and damaged scalp, - you have ever experienced any reaction after colouring your hair, - you have experienced a reaction to a temporary “black henna” tattoo in the past.

Source:Schedule 5, reference 261, source row 316 · 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-(4-Chloro-2-methylphenyl)-4-[(4-chloro-2-methylphenyl)azo]-3-hydroxynaphthalene-2-carboxamide (Pigment Red 7)

CAS 6471-51-8 · EC 229-315-3

New Zealand Cosmetic Products Group Standard Schedule 6, reference 12.

Conditions: Colour index: 12420 · CAS: 6471-51-8 · Colour: Red · Product scope: Rinse-off products

Source:Schedule 6, reference 12, source row 13 · 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-(5-Chloro-2,4-dimethoxyphenyl)-4-[[5-[(diethylamino)sulfonyl]-2-methoxyphenyl]azo]-3-hydroxynaphthalene-2-carboxamide (Pigment Red 5; CI 12490) and its salts when used as a substance in hair dye products

CAS 6410-41-9

New Zealand Cosmetic Products Group Standard Schedule 4, reference 1347.

Source:Schedule 4, reference 1347, source row 1426 · 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-(5-Chloro-2,4-dimethoxyphenyl)-4-[[5-[(diethylamino)sulfonyl]-2-methoxyphenyl]azo]-3-hydroxy​naphthalene-2-carboxamide (Pigment Red 5)

CAS 6410-41-9

New Zealand Cosmetic Products Group Standard Schedule 6, reference 14.

Conditions: Colour index: 12490 · CAS: 6410-41-9 · Colour: Red

Source:Schedule 6, reference 14, source row 15 · 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-(Hydroxymethyl)-N-(dihydroxy​methyl-1,3-dioxo-2,5-imidazolidinyl-4)-N'-(hydroxymethyl)urea (diazolidinyl urea)

CAS 78491-02-8 · EC 278-928-2

New Zealand Cosmetic Products Group Standard Schedule 7, reference 46.

Conditions: Maximum concentration: 0.5%

Source:Schedule 7, reference 46, source row 120 · 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-substituted derivatives of p-phenylenediamines and their salts; N-substituted derivatives of o-phenylenediamine,ϖ with the exception of those derivatives listed elsewhere in this Schedule and in Schedule 4, entries 1309, 1311, and 1312.

New Zealand Cosmetic Products Group Standard Schedule 5, reference 8.

Conditions: Product scope: Oxidizing colouring agents for hair dyeing: (a) General use (b) Professional use · Maximum concentration: After mixing under oxidative conditions the maximum concentration applied to hair must not exceed 3% calculated as free base · Warnings: For (a): The mixing ratio. ⚠Hair colourants can cause severe allergic reactions. Read and follow instructions. This product is not intended for use on persons under the age of 16. Temporary black henna tattoos may increase your risk of allergy. Do not colour your hair if: - you have a rash on your face or sensitive, irritated and damaged scalp, - you have ever experienced any reaction after colouring your hair, - you have experienced a reaction to a temporary black henna tattoo in the past. Contains phenylenediamines. Do not use to dye eyelashes or eyebrows For (b): The mixing ratio. For professional use only. ⚠Hair colourants can cause severe allergic reactions. Read and follow instructions. This product is not intended for use on persons under the age of 16. Temporary black henna tattoos may increase your risk of allergy. Do not colour your hair if: - you have a rash on your face or sensitive, irritated and damaged scalp, - you have ever experienced any reaction after colouring your hair, - you have experienced a reaction to a temporary black henna tattoo in the past. Contains phenylenediamines. Wear suitable gloves.

Source:Schedule 5, reference 8, source row 13 · 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

Natural hydrated aluminium silicate, Al2O3•2SiO2•2H2O, containing calcium, magnesium or iron carbonates, ferric hydroxide, quartz-sand, mica, etc. as impurities (bentonite)

CAS 1302-78-9 · EC 215-108-5

New Zealand Cosmetic Products Group Standard Schedule 6, reference 119.

Conditions: Colour index: 77004 · CAS: 1302-78-9 · Colour: White

Source:Schedule 6, reference 119, source row 131 · 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.
Screen an INCI listSearch ingredientsReview source methodology