The Regulation 2017/1224 adopted by the European Commission on 6 July 2017 (published at the Official Journal of the European Union on 7 July 2017) is amending the conditions of use of Methylisothiazolinone (MIT) in cosmetic products. This preservative has been identified as a major cause of skin allergies.

The substance 2-Methyl-2H-isothiazol-3-one (CAS number 2682-20-4), which has been assigned the name Methylisothiazolinone under the International Nomenclature of Cosmetic Ingredients (INCI), is currently authorised as a preservative in rinse-off cosmetic products at a concentration up to 0,01 % weight/weight (100 ppm) through entry 57 of Annex V to Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009.

The maximum allowed concentration will be reduced to 0,0015 % (15 ppm) in rinse-off products.

The cosmetic industry is allowed a delay to make the necessary adjustments to product formulations in view of their placing on the market and for the withdrawal of non-compliant products from the market:

 From 27 January 2018 only cosmetic products which comply with the new Regulation will be allowed to be placed on the Union market.
 From 27 April 2018 only cosmetic products which comply with the new Regulation will be allowed to be made available on the Union market.

This means that, as of 27 April 2018, MIT must be find as a preservative in rinse-off cosmetic products at a concentration exceeding 15 ppm.

Regulation 2017/1224

As a reminder, please note that Methylisothiazolinone (MIT) has been prohibited as a preservative in leave-on cosmetic products since 12 February 2017.