Washington State’s Department of Ecology, US has proposed a ban on 28 Formaldehyde-releasing chemicals in beauty and personal care products. Once the draft regulation is passed, the ban regulation will be effective from 1st January 2027.
During product formulation. formaldehyde-releasing chemicals are added to prevent bacterial growth and increase the shelf life of the product. Some cosmetic treatments like hair straightening have high amounts of Formaldehyde-releasing ingredients. When heated with styling tools, the chemical released in the air increases, which can increase the chance of inhaling it.
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Shari Franjevic, the lead implementer of the ban from Washington’s Department of Ecology said that people of color are at a higher risk of chemical exposure as they routinely use products that contain Formaldehyde-releasing chemicals.
A lot of efforts are being made concerning banning Formaldehyde from beauty products and treatments. Earlier, the Environmental Working Group (EWG) condemned the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for putting it as a low priority. In January 2025, EWG informed Personal Care Insights Formaldehyde must be banned. Not banning Formaldehyde federally leaves a lot of consumers and salon workers at a high health risk.
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If the proposal to ban 28 Formaldehyde-releasing chemicals comes into effect, cosmetic brands will have to reformulate all the products adhering to new regulations. A lot of brands have already started making Formaldehyde-free alternatives, while many others will have to spend on R&D to look for safer options. As first steps, the European Commission has made stringent transparency rules and restricted the use of Formaldehyde-releasing chemicals in cosmetics.
