New Cosmetic Regulations in New Zealand Effective from January 1, 2026

On January 21, 2026, the New Zealand Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) announced that the updated rules for importing and manufacturing cosmetic products had come into effect on January 1, 2026.

In New Zealand, cosmetics include soap, shampoo, toothpaste, shaving products, deodorant, perfume, hair dye, insect repellent, sunscreen, self-tanning products, lipstick, and make-up such as foundation and eye shadow. All cosmetic products that contain a hazardous ingredient must comply with the updated rules for cosmetics (some changes take effect later).

Summary of the changes 

The main changes include:

• increasing the scope of the group standard to include non-hazardous cosmetic products that contain a hazardous substance,
• updating the schedules of prohibited, restricted, and allowed ingredients,
• phasing out PFAS (perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances) ingredients,
• updating to the nanomaterial record-keeping requirements,
• extending to the phase out of sunscreen using more than 10% of the UV filter homosalate.

Interpretation of the updated rules for cosmetics

The new cosmetic products group standard is now in place

In January 2024, the Cosmetic Products Group Standard 2020 for importing and manufacturing cosmetics was updated. This group standard sets the hazardous substances rules for cosmetic products. The updated group standard came into effect on January 1, 2026. Some of its changes take effect later, up until April 2029.

Further information related to the Cosmetic Products Group Standard 2020:

Cosmetic Products Group Standard 2020 (consolidated and current)

Tracked-changes version of the updated group standard

Also, the scope of the group standard has been expanded to require any cosmetic product that contains a hazardous ingredient to comply, even if the final product is not hazardous.

Updates to prohibited, restricted, and allowed ingredients

Schedules 4-8 list specific rules for ingredients used in cosmetics. Changes have been made to these schedules to align with rules in Europe.

• Schedule 4 – Prohibited ingredients (you must not use these ingredients)
• Schedule 5 – Restricted ingredients (there are extra rules for these ingredients)
• Schedule 6 – Allowed colourants
• Schedule 7 – Allowed preservatives
• Schedule 8 – Allowed UV filters

Other changes that come into effect later

Suppliers and retailers must not sell non-compliant cosmetic products

If the changes to the group standard mean a cosmetic product no longer complies with rules, then suppliers and retailers must stop selling that product. The dates when different products can no longer be sold are in the table below.

Everyone must dispose of non-compliant cosmetic products

If the changes to the group standard mean a cosmetic product no longer complies with rules, everyone must dispose of non-compliant products. The disposal dates for different products can also be found in the table below.

PFAS ingredients are being phased out

Perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are being phased out from use in cosmetic products in Aotearoa New Zealand. PFAS has been added to Schedule 4, Table 2 of the group standard. The transition periods for cosmetics containing PFAS ingredients can be found in the table below and in the updated group standard.

Homosalate phase-out deadline extended

On October 25, 2025, the group standard decision was amended to extend the phase-out deadline for products containing more than 10% of the UV filter homosalate. Cosmetic products containing more than 10% of the UV filter homosalate must be disposed of before April 1, 2029.

Timings for the changes

Our Global Compliance Services

[Regulatory Compliance Services]

• China: Compliance Consulting for Cosmetics and Ingredients
• International: Compliance Consulting for Cosmetics (EU, US, Japan, South Korea, Australia & New Zealand, ASEAN, Middle East, Mexico, Brazil, Africa)
• China and International Compliance Consulting for Disinfectants and Household Products

[Data Services]

• China: Cosmetics and Ingredients Data Services (China CosIng)
• International: Cosmetics and Ingredients Data Services covering China (including Taiwan, China), EU, North America, ASEAN, Japan, and South Korea (Global CosIng)

[Product Testing Services]

• Cosmetic Safety and Human Efficacy Testing
• Toxicological Safety Assessment for Cosmetic Ingredients
• In Vitro Efficacy Testing for Cosmetics and Ingredients

If you need any assistance or have any questions, please get in touch with us via service@cirs-group.com.

Further Information

New Zealand EPA