UK HSE Technical Report Concludes Talc Not Carcinogenic Under GB CLP, Affecting Cosmetic Use

On January 16, 2026, the UK Health and Safety Executive (HSE) published a technical report assessing the mandatory classification of talc under the Great Britain Classification, Labelling and Packaging (GB CLP) Regulation. The report concludes that the available scientific data are insufficient to support a carcinogenic, mutagenic, or reproductive (CMR) classification for talc under GB CLP. As a result, talc is not expected to require a CMR label in GB, meaning current regulatory requirements for its use in cosmetic products in Great Britain are likely to remain unchanged. This position contrasts with ongoing classification efforts in the EU, where talc has been proposed for CMR 1B classification and may be banned in cosmetics under the EU CLP system. The HSE’s findings provide regulatory clarity for industry stakeholders in the UK.