IngredientsEuropean Union
4-Methylbenzylidene camphor in EU cosmetics: status and maximum concentration
INCI 4-METHYLBENZYLIDENE CAMPHOR · CAS 36861-47-9, 38102-62-4, 1782069-81-1, 95342-41-9, 852541-25-4, 852541-21-0, 741687-98-9, 852541-30-1
EU status: Prohibitedfor every function
Data from Certo’s regulatory database as of
Some rows corrected against the legal texts on
The short answer
4-Methylbenzylidene camphor is prohibited in cosmetic products sold in the European Union (for every function). The ban is set in Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009, Annex II, entry 1730. Article 17 of that Regulation tolerates only non-intended traces that are technically unavoidable, provided the product stays safe.
EU legal requirements
| Product type or use | Limit | Conditions and label wording | Applies from |
|---|---|---|---|
| EU Cosmetics Regulation, Annex II 1730 Legal text | |||
| Added on purpose | Not allowed | — | 1 May 2025 (placing on the market); 1 May 2026 (making available, including existing stock) |
| EU Cosmetics Regulation, Art. 17 Legal text | |||
| A trace only | — | Tolerated only as a non-intended trace (from impurities, manufacturing, storage or migration from packaging) that is technically unavoidable under good manufacturing practice, and only if the product remains safe (Article 3). The product safety report must contain evidence of that unavoidability (Annex I, Part A, point 4). | In force |
Standards, advice and watch lists
| Product type or use | Limit | Conditions and label wording | Applies from |
|---|---|---|---|
| REACH candidate list (SVHC), Candidate List Source | |||
| REACH Candidate List of SVHC, included 17-Jan-2022 | |||
| Endocrine-disruptor lists (national authorities), ED List I Source | |||
| Endocrine Disruptor Lists, List I (latest update 2026/04), rows 1, 2 and 3 | |||
What the texts say
1730 | 3-(4'-methylbenzylidene)-camphor (12); [INCI: 4-Methylbenzylidene Camphor] | 36861-47-9/38102-62-4 | 253-242-6/- (12) From 1 May 2025 products containing that substance shall not be placed on the Union market. From 1 May 2026 cosmetic products containing that substance shall not be made available on the Union market.
In the case of traces of prohibited substances, evidence for their technical unavoidability.
(±)-1,7,7-trimethyl-3-[(4-methylphenyl)methylene]bicyclo[2.2.1]heptan-2-one covering any of the individual isomers and/or combinations thereof (4-MBC) | 17-Jan-2022 | Endocrine disrupting properties (Article 57(f) - human health)
(±)-1,7,7-trimethyl-3-[(4-methylphenyl)methylene]bicyclo[2.2.1]heptan-2- (4-MBC) | 36861-47-9 | 253-242-6 | Yes | Commission EDC list | 2019 | Cosmetics | List I (±)-1,7,7-trimethyl-3-[(4-methylphenyl)methylene]bicyclo[2.2.1]heptan-2- (4-MBC) | 36861-47-9 | 253-242-6 | Yes | List III National Authority evaluation | 2021 | List I (±)-1,7,7-trimethyl-3-[(4-methylphenyl)methylene]bicyclo[2.2.1]heptan-2- (4-MBC) | 36861-47-9 | 253-242-6 | Yes | Health candidate list | 2022 | REACH | List I
On the horizon
- Watch: SVHC Candidate List since 17 January 2022 (endocrine disrupting, human health).
- Watch: EU endocrine disruptor List I since 2019, for its effects on health.
Not to be confused with
- Benzylidene Camphor Sulfonic Acid (CAS 56039-58-8): An allowed UV filter (Annex VI 9); this ban does not reach it.
- Polyacrylamidomethyl Benzylidene Camphor (CAS 113783-61-2): An allowed polymer UV filter (Annex VI 11); this ban does not reach it.
- 3-Benzylidene Camphor (CAS 15087-24-8): Another banned substance, with its own entry (Annex II 1379).
Sources
- Reg. (EC) No 1223/2009, Annex II, entry 1730 and footnote (12) (added by Reg. (EU) 2024/996)
- Reg. (EC) No 1223/2009, Annex I, Part A, point 4; Art. 17
- REACH Candidate List of SVHC, included 17-Jan-2022
- Endocrine Disruptor Lists, List I (latest update 2026/04), rows 1, 2 and 3
This page is general regulatory information, not legal advice. Rely on the legal texts linked above and on your own regulatory experts before making a compliance decision.