UK Updates Methyl Salicylate Restrictions: A Guide for Cosmetic Brands

The cosmetics industry thrives on innovation, but it also demands vigilance to keep pace with evolving regulations. In 2025, the United Kingdom has introduced a significant update to its cosmetics framework, amending Annex III to impose new restrictions on methyl salicylate, a widely used ingredient valued for its fragrance and soothing properties in products like toothpastes, mouthwashes, and haircare items. Notified to the World Trade Organization (WTO) on January 16, 2025, and officially published on April 1, 2025, this change reflects the UK’s growing regulatory independence from the European Union, following its earlier divergence on butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT). For cosmetic brands, understanding these changes is essential to ensure compliance and maintain market access. Let’s explore what this amendment entails, how it differs from EU rules, and how brands can adapt.

The Context Behind the Change

Methyl salicylate has long been a staple in cosmetics, but its safety, particularly for young children, has come under scrutiny. The UK’s decision to tighten restrictions stems from a March 2024 opinion by the Scientific Advisory Group on Chemical Safety (SAG-CS), which assessed the ingredient’s risks and called for stricter controls to protect consumers. This amendment is not just a regulatory tweak—it’s a signal of the UK’s intent to carve out a distinct path in cosmetics regulation post-Brexit, creating both challenges and opportunities for brands operating in the region.

How the UK Diverges from the EU

The UK’s new rules on methyl salicylate mark a clear departure from the EU Cosmetics Regulation, requiring brands to navigate a dual regulatory landscape. The differences are significant and impact various product categories, demanding careful attention to formulation and labeling. Here are the key distinctions:

Age-Based Restrictions: The UK introduces specific limits for products intended for children aged 6 months to 1 year, a nuanced approach not found in EU rules, which broadly prohibit methyl salicylate in products for children under 6, except in toothpastes. This requires brands to segment formulations by age group with precision.
Aerosol Hair Products: The UK sets a uniform maximum concentration of 0.009% for all aerosol hair products, simplifying but tightening requirements compared to the EU, which distinguishes between leave-on aerosols (0.009%) and rinse-off products, including aerosols (0.06%).
Toothpaste Limits: The UK caps methyl salicylate in toothpastes at 2.5%, slightly below the EU’s 2.52%. Though marginal, this difference underscores the need for accuracy in compliance.
Mouthwash Limits: For mouthwashes intended for children over 10 and adults, the UK allows a maximum concentration of 0.4%, compared to the EU’s more permissive 0.6%, affecting oral care product formulations.

These variations highlight the growing complexity of operating in both markets, as brands must tailor their products to meet distinct regulatory standards.

Transition Periods and Compliance

To support a smooth transition, the UK has provided clear timelines for compliance. Products containing methyl salicylate that are placed on the market by September 30, 2025, can remain available until March 31, 2026. After this date, all products must align with the new restrictions. This grace period offers brands a window to reformulate, update labeling, and adjust supply chains, but proactive planning is critical to avoid disruptions.

The EU’s Evolving Stance

Across the Channel, the EU is also revisiting its approach to methyl salicylate. On January 17, 2025, the Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety (SCCS) released a revised opinion focusing on children’s exposure, recommending maximum concentrations of 0.45% in toothpastes and 0.02% in other products for children aged 0-3. While not yet legally binding, these recommendations suggest the EU may move toward tighter restrictions, potentially aligning more closely with the UK’s approach for young children. However, differences in other product categories, such as mouthwashes and aerosols, are likely to persist. Brands operating in both markets should keep a close eye on EU developments to anticipate further changes.

What This Means for Brands

The UK’s amendment is more than a regulatory update—it’s a call to action for cosmetic brands to adapt swiftly in a dynamic landscape. Reformulating products to meet stricter limits, especially for children’s products and aerosols, may require investment in research and development. For brands with pan-European operations, aligning formulations with both UK and EU standards could complicate manufacturing and distribution processes. Yet, there’s also an opportunity: by prioritizing compliance and transparent communication about ingredient safety, brands can build trust and strengthen their reputation among increasingly safety-conscious consumers.

Staying Ahead of the Curve

Audit and Adapt: Review your product portfolio to identify formulations containing methyl salicylate and ensure they meet the UK’s new limits. Early reformulation can prevent last-minute scrambles.
Stay Informed: Monitor EU regulatory developments, as changes prompted by the SCCS opinion could simplify compliance efforts if alignment occurs.

Navigating these changes requires agility and foresight. Partnering with regulatory experts can help streamline compliance, ensuring your products remain market-ready. By acting now, brands can turn regulatory challenges into opportunities to innovate and reinforce consumer confidence.

The Road Ahead

The UK’s restrictions on methyl salicylate are a clear milestone in its post-Brexit regulatory journey, marking the second instance of active divergence from EU cosmetics rules. As the EU considers its own updates, the regulatory landscape for methyl salicylate remains fluid, demanding ongoing vigilance from brands. By embracing compliance as a chance to refine formulations and enhance safety, companies can stay competitive in the UK and beyond. The key is to act decisively—because in the fast-moving world of cosmetics, staying ahead means being prepared for change.

Ready to ensure your products meet the latest regulatory standards? Contact our team for expert guidance on navigating the UK and EU cosmetics landscape.