THE WHAT?  The Official Journal of the European Union has published a ban on the use of cosmetic silicones D4, D5, and D6 in all wash-off and leave-on products. This new regulation builds upon existing restrictions imposed by REACH on rinse-off cosmetics containing D4 and D5, now extending these limits to broader applications within the beauty and personal care industry.

THE DETAILS  Regulation 2024/1328, effective from 6 June 2027, enforces a complete ban on D5 and D6 in concentrations over 0.1% in all cosmetic products. Previously, the Cosmetics Regulation had entirely prohibited D4 since 2018, and restricted D5 in rinse-off cosmetics to a maximum concentration of 0.1% since 2020.

The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) has highlighted the environmental and health hazards posed by these silicones, noting their detection in human plasma, abdominal fat, and breast milk. ECHA flagged D4, D5, and D6 as substances of very high concern due to their persistent, bioaccumulative, and toxic (PBT) characteristics. These silicones have been found to cause significant environmental harm, affecting both aquatic and terrestrial organisms.

THE WHY?  The ban follows years of scientific assessments and regulatory actions to address the unacceptable risks associated with D4, D5, and D6. The ECHA’s Risk Assessment Committee and Socio-Economic Assessment Committee both supported an EU-wide action, leading to this comprehensive ban. This move is part of a broader effort to mitigate the long-term environmental and health impacts of these substances, which have been found to persist and accumulate in various ecosystems worldwide. The EU’s proposal to classify D4, D5, and D6 as persistent organic pollutants under the Stockholm Convention further underscores the global concern over their use and distribution.