Octocrylene (CAS No. 6197-30-4) is an organic UV filter widely used in sunscreen products and skincare products requiring UV protection. However, its regulatory status in Europe could soon change.
Today, Octocrylene is authorised under Annex VI of Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009.
Current maximum concentrations are:
9% in propellant spray products;
10% in all other cosmetic products.
On 17 June 2026, the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) launched a 60-day public consultation on the Socio-economic Analysis Committee (SEAC) draft opinion regarding France’s proposal to restrict Octocrylene under the REACH Regulation.
France has proposed restricting the placing on the market and use of finished cosmetic products containing Octocrylene.
The proposal would prohibit cosmetic products containing:
≥ 0.001% w/w of Octocrylene
This threshold is considerably lower than the concentrations currently permitted under the Cosmetics Regulation.
It is important to note that this is not yet a legal restriction.
Although the proposal is not yet legally applicable, companies using Octocrylene should closely monitor regulatory developments.
