This article compiles the cosmetic regulation updates that took place in September and October in Europe (including the UK), America, and the Asia Pacific region.

Japan issued the revision of the Order of Enforcement of Act on the Regulation of Manufacture and Evaluation of Chemical Substances.

Perfluorohexane sulfonic acid (PFHxS) is a highly surface-active perfluorinated compound with chemical properties similar to perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS). Following the ban on PFOS by the Stockholm Convention in 2009, PFHxS has been widely used as a substitute in various products. However, PFHxS is persistent in the environment, capable of long-range transport, and may cause developmental toxicity, neurotoxicity, hepatotoxicity, and reproductive toxicity. At the 10th Conference of the Parties to the Stockholm Convention (SC COP-10), PFHxS, its salts, and related compounds were listed in Annex A of the Convention for elimination, with no exemptions allowed.

Recently, Japan has detected sodium aluminate dioxide (CAS No.: 1302-42-7) in some imported products containing sodium aluminate (CAS number: 11138-49-1). In accordance with the announcement of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (MHLW), sodium aluminate dioxide was classified as deleterious substance under the Poisonous and Deleterious Substances Control Law (PDSCL) on July 1, 2018.

There is a diverse range of cosmetic packaging materials, such as glass, metal, plastic, and soft paper packaging. As the last process in the modern cosmetics industry, packaging is necessary to keep the contents clean and safe. However, it is also important to make sure the packaging itself does not pollute the cosmetics or add any unsafe factors to the contents. In addition, consumers’ understanding and judgment of cosmetics products often relies on the information provided on the products and by the sellers, the display of such information, to a large extent, determines consumers’ purchasing decisions and use methods for products.

8 July 2019，Rhode Island's legislature passed a bill RI H5119 to revise the maximum permissible level of organohalogen flame retardants (OFR) in upholstered bedding and furniture (including foam, plastics, fabric, textiles, etc.) manufactured or sold in state from 100ppm to 1,000 PPM. This bill shall take effect from 1 January 2020.

23 May 2018, Minnesota Legislature released a bill for an act HF 359 to expand the state's existing flame retardant restrictions and impose limits on the use of firefighting foam containing per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs). This bill will prohibit manufacturing or selling residential upholstered furniture and children's products which containing any organ halogen flame retardant above 1000 parts per million (ppm) in any product component.

26 February 2018, the American Apparel & Footwear Association released the 20th edition of the Restricted Substance List (RSL), the industry’s chemical management resource listing banned or restricted chemicals and substances for finished apparel, footwear, and home textile products around the world.

On 2 January 2019, the OEKO-TEX® Association has, as usual, updated the applicable test criteria and limit values for product certification in accordance with the STANDARD 100 by OEKO-TEX®. The following new regulations will come into force on 01 April 2019 for all certifications, following a three-month transition period. In 2019, OEKO-TEX® already complies with the new "REACH Annex XVII CMR Legislation". The substance benzene and four amine salts have been included in the STANDARD 100 by OEKO-TEX® and LEATHER STANDARD by OEKO-TEX® and limit values have been defined.

29 August，2018，California's legislature has passed a bill AB 2998, banning the use of flame retardants in juvenile products, upholstered furniture and mattresses. Flame retardant has the properties of carcinogenicity, reproductive toxicity and endocrine interference. This bill stipulates that from January 1, 2020, manufacturers shall not sell or distribute in commerce in this state any new, not previously owned juvenile products, mattresses, or upholstered furniture that contains covered flame retardant chemicals at levels above 1000 parts per million (1000 ppm).