SG 141/25
The State of Washington, USA, has adopted new rules restricting formaldehyde and formaldehyde-releasing chemicals in cosmetic products, effective 2027.
The State of Washington, on August 28, 2025, adopted a new Chapter 173-399 WAC: Cosmetic Products Restriction in the Washington Administrative Code (WAC), restricting the manufacture, sale and distribution of cosmetic products in the state that contain intentionally added formaldehyde and chemicals that release formaldehyde. This restriction applies to cosmetic products used in services, sold online or in physical stores.
In this rule, 25 formaldehyde-releasing chemicals (formaldehyde releasers) are identified and restricted when they are intentionally added into cosmetic products. (see table below).
The new rule will be enforced on September 28, 2025, while the restriction becomes effective on January 1, 2027.
Retailers in the state can sell existing stock possessed on the date of the restriction until January 1, 2028.
| Item | Chemical name | CAS RN |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | DMDM Hydantoin | 6440-58-0 |
| 2 | Diazolidinyl Urea | 78491-02-8 |
| 3 | Imidazolidinyl Urea | 39236-46-9 |
| 4 | Quaternium-15 | 4080-31-3; 51229-78-8 |
| 5 | Tosylamide/Formaldehyde Resin (PTSAF) | 25035-71-6 |
| 6 | 2-Bromo-2-Nitropropane-1,3-Diol (Bronopol) | 52-51-7 |
| 7 | Sodium Hydroxymethylglycinate | 70161-44-3 |
| 8 | Polyoxymethylene Urea | 9011-05-6; 68611-64-3 |
| 9 | Polyoxymethylene Melamine | 9003-08-1 |
| 10 | 5-Bromo-5-Nitro-1,3-Dioxane (Bronidox) | 30007-47-7 |
| 11 | 7-Ethylbicyclo-oxazolidine (Bioban CS1246) | 7747-35-5 |
| 12 | Benzylhemiformal/td> | 14548-60-8 |
| 13 | Dimethylhydantoin formaldehyde (DMHF) | 26811-08-5; 9065-13-8 |
| 14 | Dimethylol Glycol | 3586-55-8 |
| 15 | Dimethylol Urea | 140-95-4 |
| 16 | Dimethyl Oxazolidine | 51200-87-4 |
| 17 | MDM Hydantoin | 116-25-6; 27636-82-4; 16228-00-5 |
| 18 | Methenamine | 100-97-0 |
| 19 | Methylal | 109-87-5 |
| 20 | Paraformaldehyde | 30525-89-4 |
| 21 | Polyoxymethylene | 9002-81-7 |
| 22 | Tetramethylolglycoluril | 5395-50-6 |
| 23 | Timonacic (when used in heat-activated hair straighteners) | 444-27-9 |
| 24 | Tris-Hydroxymethylnitromethane | 126-11-4 |
| 25 | Urea, polymer with formaldehyde, isobutylated | 68002-18-6 |
The Department of Ecology may evaluate product compliance under this rule by formulation review, product sampling or any other means with relevant information.
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Source:
- Rule-making Order (Chapter 173-339 WAC)
- Chapter 173-339 WAC: Cosmetic Products Restrictions
- The Department of Ecology in the Washington State. Chapter 173-339 WAC – Cosmetic Products Restrictions (Formaldehyde in Cosmetics)
- RCW 70A.560.020 Prohibiting the sale of cosmetic products containing certain added chemicals
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