In this monthly roundup, regulatory developments across the global cosmetics and personal care industry highlight the growing complexity of international trade, product safety and compliance. rket and distribute their products.
European regulation remains a major focus for the industry. Beiersdorf CEO Vincent Warnery warned that the growing regulatory burden in the European Union risks undermining the competitiveness of cosmetics manufacturers. His concerns reflect a wider industry debate over the balance between maintaining high environmental and consumer safety standards and ensuring European businesses can compete effectively in global markets.
Trade policy is creating additional challenges. US-Canada tariffs are placing pressure on cross-border cosmetics supply chains, potentially increasing costs for manufacturers, distributors and retailers. The impact could be particularly significant for affordable cosmetics brands, where price sensitivity and narrow margins leave less room to absorb additional costs.
The EU is also reshaping international ecommerce through the removal of the customs exemption for low-value imports. The change is expected to affect cross-border online retailers and marketplaces shipping inexpensive products directly to European consumers. For cosmetics businesses, the measure could influence pricing, fulfilment strategies and competition between domestic retailers and international ecommerce platforms.
Product labelling requirements are evolving across Asia. India introduced vegetarian and non-vegetarian labelling rules for cosmetics and toiletries, creating additional compliance requirements for manufacturers and importers. The development reflects the importance of ingredient transparency and consumer preferences in one of the world’s fastest-growing cosmetics markets.
In the Middle East, Saudi Arabia announced a ban on syringe-style cosmetics from 2027, signalling tighter oversight of product presentation and packaging. The measure highlights how regulators are increasingly examining not only cosmetic formulations but also packaging formats that could create confusion about a product’s intended use or safety.
Chemical restrictions remain another important regulatory priority. California expanded restrictions affecting chemicals used in nail products and cleaning products, reinforcing the state’s increasingly stringent approach to ingredient safety. For cosmetics manufacturers operating in the US, evolving state-level requirements add another layer of complexity to formulation, sourcing and product compliance.
In the UK, the Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS) published new cosmetic product safety notification data, providing further visibility into the regulatory oversight of cosmetics placed on the market. The publication highlights the importance of product notification systems and the growing role of regulatory data in monitoring compliance and consumer safety.
Elsewhere, regulatory reform is creating opportunities for international expansion. Brazil moved to ease regulatory barriers for K-beauty products, potentially improving market access for South Korean cosmetics companies. The development reflects growing interest in international cosmetics brands and demonstrates how regulatory changes can support trade and investment rather than simply introduce additional restrictions.
South Korea is also strengthening its regulatory infrastructure. The country launched a new Food and Cosmetics Law Association, reflecting the increasing importance of specialist legal expertise as cosmetics businesses navigate complex domestic and international requirements. Such initiatives could help support regulatory understanding and compliance across an industry with a significant global export presence.
Regulation is extending beyond products and manufacturing into digital marketing. Pakistan introduced new tax rules for social media content creators, a development with potential implications for influencers and the businesses working with them. As influencer marketing becomes an established part of cosmetics promotion, changes to taxation and reporting requirements are adding further responsibilities to the commercial relationships between brands, agencies and creators.
In 2026, regulatory strategy is no longer simply about meeting legal obligations; it is becoming an essential part of protecting market access, managing costs and maintaining competitiveness across the global cosmetics industry.
