The Official Journal of the European Union has announced a stringent ban on the use of cosmetic silicones D4, D5, and D6 in all wash-off and leave-on products, expanding the scope of existing restrictions in the beauty and personal care industry. This regulation builds on previous limitations set by REACH on rinse-off cosmetics containing D4 and D5.
Effective from June 6, 2027, Regulation 2024/1328 mandates a complete ban on D5 and D6 in concentrations exceeding 0.1% in all cosmetic products. Previously, the Cosmetics Regulation had prohibited D4 entirely since 2018 and limited D5 in rinse-off products to a maximum concentration of 0.1% since 2020.
The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) has raised alarms about the environmental and health dangers posed by these silicones, citing their presence in human plasma, abdominal fat, and breast milk. ECHA has identified D4, D5, and D6 as substances of very high concern due to their persistent, bioaccumulative, and toxic (PBT) characteristics. These silicones have been shown to cause significant harm to both aquatic and terrestrial environments.
This ban is the result of years of scientific evaluations and regulatory measures aimed at addressing the unacceptable risks associated with D4, D5, and D6. The ECHA’s Risk Assessment Committee and Socio-Economic Assessment Committee both advocated for an EU-wide ban, leading to this decisive action. This move aligns with broader efforts to mitigate the long-term environmental and health impacts of these substances, which persist and accumulate in ecosystems globally. The EU’s proposal to classify D4, D5, and D6 as persistent organic pollutants under the Stockholm Convention further highlights the international concern regarding their use and spread.
