Washington bans formaldehyde-releasing chemicals from cosmetics under Toxic-Free Cosmetics Act

Washington state regulators have prohibited the intentional addition of formaldehyde and chemicals that release formaldehyde to cosmetics and personal care products under a new rule implemented as part of the Toxic-Free Cosmetics Act.

The rule, announced by state officials this week, bars manufacturers and sellers from including formaldehyde-releasing preservatives and related compounds in items such as shampoos, eyelash adhesives, nail polishes and hair relaxers. Regulators said the action aims to reduce consumer and worker exposure to a substance long identified by health authorities as a human carcinogen.

Formaldehyde is commonly used in small amounts in some beauty and personal care products to extend shelf life and prevent microbial growth. Over time, formaldehyde and formaldehyde-releasing chemicals can escape from products as a gas — a process known as off-gassing — and inhalation of such vapors has been linked to eye and respiratory irritation and to an increased risk of cancers of the head and neck, according to health authorities.

State regulators said the rule applies to chemicals that are intentionally added to products for preservative or other functional purposes, and it follows growing attention from public health officials and consumer advocates about potentially dangerous ingredients in cosmetics. The measure does not affect formaldehyde that may form unintentionally in trace amounts during product manufacture or degradation, officials said.

The action in Washington comes as regulators in other jurisdictions move against different chemicals used in beauty products. This week, European health authorities banned trimethylbenzoyl diphenylphosphine oxide, a photoinitiator used in some gel nail polishes, after studies linked the ingredient to long-term fertility concerns. Public health advocates have pointed to both developments as examples of tighter scrutiny of chemicals in items that come into frequent contact with skin and are used regularly by consumers and salon workers.

Industry representatives have previously said that formulations containing formaldehyde releasers are effective preservatives that help protect products from microbial contamination. Some manufacturers have moved voluntarily to alternative preservatives in response to consumer demand and regulatory pressure, while others have continued to use the chemicals in limited concentrations where permitted.

State officials said they would provide guidance to manufacturers and retailers to help with compliance and transition to approved alternatives. The timeline for enforcement and any exemptions or phase-in periods will be detailed in regulatory guidance to be issued by the implementing agency.

Health experts and consumer groups have urged regulators to adopt clearer labeling and stricter limits on hazardous chemicals in cosmetics to protect both consumers and workers exposed through repeated use. The Washington rule adds to a patchwork of state and international measures addressing chemical risks in personal care products and signals continued regulatory attention to ingredients long viewed as commonplace in the cosmetics industry.