Global Cosmetics Regulation Roundup: EU Burden, Tariffs, 2027 Saudi Ban

Beiersdorf CEO Vincent Warnery warned this month that the European Union's growing regulatory burden risks undermining the competitiveness of cosmetics manufacturers. His warning anchors a monthly review of regulatory developments across the global cosmetics and personal care industry, spanning trade policy, labelling, chemical restrictions and digital marketing tax rules.

The industry faces mounting complexity in how it formulates, markets and distributes products across borders. Here is what changed, region by region.

Is EU regulation pricing European beauty out of the market?

Warnery said regulatory demands in the EU threaten manufacturers' ability to compete internationally. His concerns reflect a wider industry debate: how to maintain high environmental and consumer safety standards while keeping European businesses viable in global markets. The issue sits at the centre of the bloc's cosmetics policy agenda as requirements accumulate.

What are US-Canada tariffs doing to supply chains?

New US-Canada tariffs are putting pressure on cross-border cosmetics supply chains. Manufacturers, distributors and retailers face potentially higher costs. The impact could hit hardest among affordable cosmetics brands, where price sensitivity and narrow margins leave little room to absorb additional charges. Budget-tier products are the most exposed segment.

How is the EU changing ecommerce?

The EU removed the customs exemption for low-value imports. The change affects cross-border online retailers and marketplaces shipping inexpensive products directly to European consumers. For cosmetics businesses, the measure could reshape pricing, fulfilment strategies and the competitive balance between domestic retailers and international ecommerce platforms.

The move closes a long-standing route that let low-cost goods enter Europe without customs duties, and it arrives as direct-to-consumer shipping from Asian platforms keeps growing.

What are the new labelling and packaging rules in Asia?

Two Asian markets tightened product presentation requirements:

• India introduced vegetarian and non-vegetarian labelling rules for cosmetics and toiletries, adding compliance obligations for manufacturers and importers. The rules reflect ingredient transparency demands in one of the world's fastest-growing cosmetics markets.
• Saudi Arabia announced a ban on syringe-style cosmetics from 2027. The measure signals tighter oversight of packaging formats that could create confusion about a product's intended use or safety, extending regulatory scrutiny beyond formulations themselves.

Where are chemical restrictions expanding?

California expanded restrictions on chemicals used in nail products and cleaning products. The move reinforces 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, on top of federal rules.

What did the UK publish?

The Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS) published new cosmetic product safety notification data. The release gives the industry further visibility into regulatory oversight of cosmetics placed on the UK market. It also underscores the growing role of notification systems and regulatory data in monitoring compliance and consumer safety.

Where is regulation opening doors?

Not every change restricts. Brazil moved to ease regulatory barriers for K-beauty products, potentially improving market access for South Korean cosmetics companies. The development shows regulatory reform can support trade and investment rather than only add restrictions, and it reflects rising consumer interest in international brands.

South Korea, meanwhile, launched a new Food and Cosmetics Law Association. The body reflects the increasing importance of specialist legal expertise as cosmetics businesses manage complex domestic and international requirements. Korea's significant global export presence makes compliance infrastructure a commercial priority.

What about the influencer economy?

Pakistan introduced new tax rules for social media content creators. The change carries implications for influencers and the businesses working with them. As influencer marketing becomes an established part of cosmetics promotion, taxation and reporting requirements add responsibilities to the commercial relationships between brands, agencies and creators.

What does this mean for 2026?

Regulatory strategy is no longer simply about meeting legal obligations. It is becoming essential to protecting market access, managing costs and maintaining competitiveness across the global cosmetics industry. Firms that treat compliance as a strategic function, rather than a legal checkbox, will be better positioned as rules multiply across the EU, North America, Asia and the Middle East.