Are parabens banned in cosmetics in Europe?
Direct answer
Parabens are not subject to a general ban in EU cosmetics: entries 12 and 12a of Annex V permit certain substances under conditions, while five other esters appear in Annex II. [eu-1004] [eu-358]
Regulatory status
Permitted under conditions Permission as a preservative depends on the ester, the combined concentrations expressed as acid and the use stated in the entry. [eu-1004]
Prohibited for the stated use Regulation 358/2014 added Isopropylparaben, Isobutylparaben, Phenylparaben, Benzylparaben and Pentylparaben to Annex II, together with the salts covered by entries 1374 and 1375. [eu-358]
Scientific opinion The SCCSEU Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety: it assesses cosmetic ingredients. opinions on propylparaben of 30-31 March 2021 and methylparaben of 14 December 2023, corrected on 28 February 2024, reach favourable conclusions at the concentrations assessed, subject to the cited conditions. [sccs-propyl] [sccs-methyl]
Authority concern, specified context In its opinion of 30 April 2025, the SCCS reaches an adverse conclusion for combined exposure to butylparaben at 0.14% in the assessed products in children from six months to ten years. This scientific finding does not replace the conditions in Annex V. [sccs-children] [eu-1004]
Restrictions and conditions of use
BUTYLPARABEN/PROPYLPARABEN/SODIUM PROPOYLPARABEN/SODIUM BUTYLPARABEN/POTASSIUM BUTYLPARABEN/POTASSIUM PROPYLPARABEN : Annex V, No 12 a : Butylparaben, propylparaben and their salts: combined limit of 0.14% as acid; in mixtures with entry 12 substances, a total limit of 0.8%, including at most 0.14% for entry 12a substances. Not for leave-on products designed for the nappy area of children under three. Leave-on products designed for children under three must state “Do not use on the nappy area”. [eu-1004]
4-HYDROXYBENZOIC ACID / METHYLPARABEN /POTASSIUM ETHYLPARABEN /POTASSIUM PARABEN /SODIUM METHYLPARABEN /SODIUM ETHYLPARABEN /ETHYLPARABEN /SODIUM PARABEN / POTASSIUM METHYLPARABEN / CALCIUM PARABEN : Annex V, No 12 : 4-Hydroxybenzoic acid, methyl and ethyl esters and their salts: at most 0.4% as acid for a single ester and 0.8% as acid for mixtures of esters. [eu-1004]
Dated primary sources
Règlement (UE) n° 1004/2014, annexe V, entrées 12 et 12 bis. Text : 2014-09-18. Consulted : 2026-10-31. Annexe, cellules des entrées 12 et 12 bis ; considérant 7, extraits distincts.
The entries distinguish methyl and ethyl esters from propyl and butyl esters, with their salts, limits and nappy-area restriction.
Ácido p-hidroxibenzoico, sus ésteres de metilo y de etilo y sus sales
0,4 % (de ácido) para un solo éster
0,8 % (de ácido) para las mezclas de ésteres
4-hidroxibenzoato de butilo y sus sales
4-hidroxibenzoato de propilo y sus sales
0,14 % (de ácido) para la suma de las concentraciones individuales
0,8 % (de ácido) para las mezclas de las sustancias mencionadas en las entradas 12 y 12bis, cuando la suma de las concentraciones de butylparaben y propylparaben y sus sales no exceda del 0,14 %
No debe utilizarse en productos que no se aclaran concebidos para la zona del pañal de niños menores de tres años.
Para los productos que no se aclaran concebidos para niños menores de tres años:
“No utilizar en la zona del pañal”Règlement (UE) n° 1004/2014, annexe V, entrées 12 et 12 bis · Original passage
Règlement (UE) n° 358/2014, annexe II. Text : 2014-04-09. Consulted : 2026-10-31. Annexe, point 1, entrées 1374 à 1378 ; article 2.
Five esters are added to Annex II; the deadlines were 30 October 2014 and 30 July 2015.
À l'annexe II, les entrées 1374 à 1378 sont ajoutées:
1374 4-hydroxybenzoate d'isopropyle (INCIInternational name of cosmetic ingredients: the one printed on the pack.: Isopropylparaben) Sel de sodium ou sels d'isopropylparaben
1375 4-hydroxybenzoate d'isobutyle (INCI: Isobutylparaben)
Sel de sodium ou sels d'isobutylparaben
1376 4-hydroxybenzoate de phényle (INCI: Phenylparaben)
1377 4-hydroxybenzoate de benzyle (INCI: Benzylparaben)
1378 4-hydroxybenzoate de pentyle (INCI: Pentylparaben)
À compter du 30 octobre 2014, seuls les produits cosmétiques conformes au présent règlement sont mis sur le marché de l'Union.
À compter du 30 juillet 2015, seuls les produits cosmétiques conformes au présent règlement sont mis à disposition sur le marché de l'Union.CSSC, SCCS/1652/23, corrigendum de février 2024. Text : 2024-02-28. Consulted : 2026-10-31. Conclusion, question 1 ; date du corrigendum.
The corrigendum also clarifies the individual methylparaben limit in mixtures.
A corrigendum clarifying SCCS conclusion under question 1 was adopted by written procedure on 28 February 2024
It is also safe when used up to 0.4% in a mixture of esters for which the total concentration of all esters does not exceed 0.8% (as acid), as indicated in entry 12 of Annex V to the Cosmetics Regulation.CSSC, avis SCCS/1623/20. Text : 2021-03-31. Consulted : 2026-10-31. Adoption les 30 et 31 mars 2021 ; conclusion, question 1.
The SCCS assesses propylparaben favourably as a preservative up to 0.14%, within the scope of its opinion.
On the basis of the safety assessment of Propylparaben, and considering the concerns related to potential endocrine disrupting properties, the SCCS has concluded that propylparaben is safe when used as a preservative in cosmetic products up to a maximum concentration of 0.14 %.CSSC, avis SCCS/1674/25, exposition des enfants. Text : 2025-04-30. Consulted : 2026-10-31. Conclusion, questions 1 à 3, extraits distincts.
The SCCS reaches an adverse conclusion for the combined use assessed at 0.14% in children from six months to ten years, with distinctions for single product categories.
the use of Butylparaben as preservative at a maximum concentration of 0.14 % (as acid) in all cosmetic products included in this exposure assessment is not safe for children between 0.5-1 years, 1-3 years, 3-6 years and 6-10 years when used in combination.
With the exception of body lotion, it is safe in single dermal and oral product categories, when used only in the respective product category.
This Opinion is not applicable to any sprayable product (including mouth spray) that may lead to exposure of end-user’s lungs by inhalation.Limits of the data
This page distinguishes the esters and cosmetic uses cited; scientific opinions are not general bans on the family. [eu-1004] [eu-358]
Last verification
2026-10-31