Formaldehyde is currently listed in Annex II (List of Prohibited Substances) of the UK Cosmetics Regulations. Previously, formaldehyde was included in Annex III and V of the EU cosmetic products regulation, but formaldehyde was removed from Annexes III and V in 2019 after being included in the Category 1B carcinogenic classification. It was simultaneously added to the list of prohibited substances.

There are formaldehyde excretors permitted in Annex V. Formaldehyde-releasing substances:

Therefore, clause 2 in the preamble of Annex V reads as follows. "All finished products containing the substances in this Annex that release formaldehyde must be labelled with the warning that it contains formaldehyde, where the formaldehyde concentration in the finished product opens 0.05%. This label was introduced by the Eighth Commission Directive 86/199/EEC of 26 March 1986 in order to inform consumers of the presence of a substance that may cause allergy through the release of formaldehyde.

%It has been questioned that exposure to formaldehyde at levels below 0.05 may cause contact dermatitis in people with formaldehyde allergy, hence the above-described provisions regarding the labeling of formaldehyde-releasing substances listed in Annex V of the Cosmetic Regulation. Members concluded that the current 0.05% threshold for labeling formaldehyde-releasing preservatives is insufficient to protect consumers.

Members agreed that a threshold for labeling preservatives that release up to 10 ppm (0.001%) of formaldehyde that does not cause an allergic reaction would be sufficient to protect when used for authorized products. Members noted that such a level could be sufficiently protective in rinse-off products. This threshold level of up to 10 ppm (0.001%) is based on the Reopen Application Test (ROAT)3 performed by Hauksson et al.