Key takeaways on EU and UK’s regulations divergence on talc
- The UK Health and Safety Executive has concluded there is insufficient evidence to classify talc as carcinogenic under GB CLP.
- EU scientific bodies have recommended classifying talc as a Category 1B carcinogen, with a cosmetics ban expected in 2027.
- Both regulators reviewed the same scientific evidence but reached different conclusions on cancer risk.
- Talc contaminated with asbestos remains a key safety concern and is excluded from use in the UK.
- Regulatory divergence is creating differing formulation and compliance requirements for cosmetic brands operating in the UK and EU.
In its recent investigation, the UK’s Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has not classified talc as carcinogenic, while EU scientific bodies have previously flagged serious safety concerns for use of the ingredient in beauty and personal care product formulations.
Talc, a naturally occurring magnesium silicate mineral, has long been used in body powders, baby powders and other personal care products across the globe. However, in recent years, there have been more concerns about the safety of the ingredient, with some scientific studies labelling it as potentially carcinogenic.
In January 2026, the UK government body Health and Safety Executive (HSE) published its assessment report on the use of talc in cosmetic products, focusing on the proposed CMR classifications for talc under the GB Classification, Labelling and Packaging Regulation. In the report, regulators concluded that there is not enough evidence to label talc a carcinogen.
EU moves towards banning talc in cosmetic products
Meanwhile, the European Chemicals Agency’s (ECHA) scientific advisers have recommended that talc be classified as a Category 1B carcinogen – based on evidence of ovarian cancer signals and animal tumour data – and the ingredient is expected to be banned from beauty and personal care products sold in EU markets in 2027.
The HSE and the ECHA’s Risk Assessment Committee (RAC) both reviewed the same evidence, which found lung tumours in female rats exposed to talc via inhalation and links between cosmetic talc usage in the genital area (such as baby powder), and ovarian cancer in human studies.
Despite this, the UK’s HSE said it does not consider the available data sufficient to support classification for carcinogenicity.
However, the HSE’s conclusions have flagged a major concern about talc that contains deposits of asbestos, which is a well‑established human carcinogen. Even extremely low asbestos levels can cause talc to be carcinogenic, and the UK technical report clearly excludes the use of any talc that contains asbestos.
Commenting on the HSE’s decision, the UK cosmetics industry trade body The Cosmetic, Toiletry & Perfumery Association (CTPA) said: “Based on the conclusion from this technical report, we do not expect talc to have a CMR classification under GB CLP; therefore, the use of talc in cosmetic products in GB is not expected to change from current requirements,”
Increased regulatory divergence
In 2025, the UK and the EU also disagreed on the use of other ingredients in cosmetic formulations, including tea tree oil. The EU classifies tea tree oil as a reproductive toxicant, while the UK’s HSE has removed this classification. As a result, the EU and UK now have different rules on how tea tree oil is regulated, affecting allowed concentrations in formulations and cosmetic market requirements.
