In 2025, the personal care industry will face regulatory changes to improve safety standards and address environmental concerns. To maintain market access, brands must update their compliance strategies. In this blog, we’ll break down the key regulatory shifts, their impact, and what you can do about it.

Modernization of Cosmetics Regulation Act (MoCRA) Updates

For decades, the FDA had limited authority over cosmetics compared to food and drugs. The Modernization of Cosmetics Regulation Act (MoCRA) fundamentally changes this landscape, giving the FDA real power to regulate the cosmetics industry for the first time since 1938.

What’s Changing: Starting January 2025, most cosmetic manufacturers, with a few key exemptions, must:

  • Register facilities with the FDA
  • Submit complete product listings with full ingredient disclosure
  • Maintain safety documentation, including ingredient sourcing and testing records

Why It Matters: By March 2025, all cosmetic products must have documented safety substantiation before reaching consumers. This requires scientific evidence proving that products are safe under regular use, testing data for all formulation components, and records tracking every batch and formula change.

Additionally, starting in April 2025, manufacturers must report serious adverse events to the FDA within 15 business days, including detailed product information. They must maintain records of all adverse events for six years and implement systems to track, analyze, and address consumer complaints.

Impact On Business: These regulations mean stricter oversight and increased compliance burdens for personal care manufacturers. Companies must now provide rigorous safety testing and documentation. Without proper substantiation, products will be classified as “adulterated” and cannot be legally sold.

READ MORE: Achieve MoCRA Compliance with ChemQuest

The new adverse event reporting rules will add complexity. Manufacturers need systems to track and report severe reactions within 15 business days while keeping detailed records for six years. Compliance will require investments in data management, regulatory expertise, and internal processes to avoid legal risks and maintain consumer trust.

Potential U.S. Ban on PFAS (Forever Chemicals)

Growing evidence links PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) to serious health concerns, including cancer, immune system damage, and hormone disruption. These “forever chemicals” persist in the environment and human body, triggering global regulatory action. PFAS are commonly used in cosmetics for their water resistance, improved texture, and extended wear.

What’s Changing: The FDA will complete its PFAS assessment by December 29, 2025, which will likely lead to restrictions. Starting mid-2025, regulatory agencies worldwide will phase out PFAS across multiple industries. Instead of an immediate ban, companies will need to develop phase-out plans by August 2025, which include PFAS inventories, replacement timelines, and testing protocols.

Why It Matters: This global approach addresses the entire lifecycle of these persistent chemicals while giving manufacturers time to find suitable alternatives. For personal care manufacturers, the challenge is compounded as suppliers across their value chain will also face PFAS restrictions.

Impact On Business: Manufacturers must audit formulas, identify alternatives, and ensure supplier compliance with new regulations. Reformulation costs and supply chain adjustments will be necessary. However, brands that proactively go PFAS-free can gain a competitive edge and strengthen consumer trust.

Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) Risk Evaluations

The updated TSCA grants the EPA broader authority to evaluate and regulate chemicals based on health and environmental risks.

What’s Changing: On March 13, 2025, the EPA extended reporting deadlines for its TSCA Section 8(d) chemical safety rule, giving manufacturers extra time to submit health and safety studies for 16 targeted substances. Some of these chemicals, including Bisphenol A (BPA), Acetaldehyde, Ethylbenzene, and Acrylonitrile, are commonly found in personal care product packaging, containers, and formulations. This means:

  • Personal care manufacturers have extended timelines to compile chemical safety data, with reporting deadlines ranging from June to September 2025
  • Companies must prepare more comprehensive health and safety documentation
  • The EPA will have enhanced information for chemical risk assessment

Why It Matters: If a personal care company uses any of the listed 16 substances, they are now directly obligated to provide the EPA with detailed health and safety studies. This data will determine if the substances pose a potential health or environmental risk, possibly leading to future regulations.

Impact on Business: To safeguard against future restrictions, companies must implement systems to track chemical usage and respond to EPA inquiries. R&D teams will need to stay informed about chemicals under evaluation and develop strategies for potential restrictions. Ultimately, this shift encourages green packaging and transparency.

EU Microplastics Regulations

Microplastic pollution has become a global environmental concern, with personal care products identified as one significant source. The EU is leading regulatory action to reduce this contamination.

What’s Changing: By July 2025, new EU regulations will:

  • Restrict intentionally added microplastics in consumer products
  • Require specific labeling for products containing microplastics
  • Mandate information on proper usage and disposal
  • Set biodegradability standards for polymers

Why It Matters: Microplastics harm marine life and enter the food chain. For personal care manufacturers, these regulations require reformulating products, particularly exfoliants, scrubs, and items with film-forming properties, to eliminate synthetic polymers.

Impact on Business: Formulators must find natural or biodegradable alternatives for texture and stability. Companies selling in the EU will need to ensure compliance or risk losing access to the market. This will drive innovation in sustainable materials and create reformulation challenges for existing products.

Globally Harmonized System Classification Changes

The Globally Harmonized System (GHS) standardizes the classification and communication of chemical hazards worldwide. Revision 11 updates these standards to address emerging concerns.

What’s Changing: Effective February 2025, GHS Revision 11 will:

  • Refine classification criteria for endocrine-disrupting chemicals
  • Establish new hazard categories for persistent, mobile toxic substances
  • Standardize SDS formats across markets
  • Update worker training requirements for chemical handling

Why It Matters: These updates create consistent safety standards, making it easier for companies to operate across international markets. They also improve protection for workers and consumers by addressing previously under-regulated chemical hazards.

Impact on Business: Companies will need to update all safety documentation, including product labels, safety data sheets, and training materials. While this adds compliance costs, it simplifies international operations by standardizing market requirements.

What These Regulatory Shifts Mean for the Personal Care Industry

Increased Compliance Burden

Manufacturers face higher regulatory demands, which require thorough documentation and precise reporting. Every production batch must be recorded to satisfy enhanced oversight, creating a paper trail that regulators can follow. Monitoring systems must capture compliance data at each step of the production process.

This environment requires companies to restructure internal workflows and update record-keeping methods. The shift from paper-based to digital documentation systems enables real-time tracking and reporting that aligns with regulatory expectations.

How ChemQuest Can Help:

ChemQuest provides clear, well-documented compliance records to support your regulatory needs. This helps companies align with evolving requirements, ensuring they have the necessary records to navigate audits and maintain compliance.

Reformulation Challenges

By mid-2025, manufacturers must redesign formulas to eliminate PFAS, microplastics, and other restricted substances. This creates technical challenges, as many of these materials provide key product attributes like water resistance, texture, and stability.

The transition demands alternatives that match the benchmarks of legacy ingredients. Scientific teams must test each substitute for stability and efficacy, often through multiple iterations. This drives innovation as manufacturers explore new ingredient combinations.

How ChemQuest Can Help:

ChemQuest identifies high-performance alternatives that meet new regulatory standards. Our team provides strategic formulation guidance, working closely to ensure revised formulas uphold safety requirements and product integrity.

READ MORE: 6 Services You Need From an Ingredient Distributor

Supply Chain Disruptions

Regulatory changes will trigger material restrictions and alter trade rules throughout 2025, causing potential shortages and price increases for key ingredients. Demand for certain raw materials will surge as manufacturers seek compliant alternatives, extending production timelines.

Manufacturers must evaluate supplier relationships and the compliance status of each raw material. Many will shift from global networks to sustainable local sources that provide consistent, compliant materials with reduced environmental impact.

READ MORE: Understanding the Impacts of 2025 Tariffs on Your Ingredient Supply Chain

How ChemQuest Can Help:

ChemQuest leverages its supplier network to secure compliant ingredients. Our portfolio includes sustainable options that help companies maintain production continuity. By implementing inventory solutions, they stabilize timelines and protect manufacturers against supply disruptions.

Market Access Risks

Non-compliance could result in recalls, fines, and market exclusion, directly impacting revenue and brand reputation. Every documentation error risks consumer trust and regulatory action. Products found non-compliant may be pulled from shelves with little notice.

Manufacturers must maintain comprehensive compliance records and ensure products meet regional mandates before entering each market. This requires thorough documentation practices and market-specific compliance strategies that address variations in regional requirements.

How ChemQuest Can Help:

ChemQuest ensures product documentation aligns with regional requirements, preparing clear, detailed reports. Our team stays current on market-specific standards, helping brands follow regulatory expectations and keep consumer confidence.

Operational Adjustments

The changing landscape requires companies to enhance regulatory expertise, update testing facilities, and redesign formulation strategies by Q3 2025. This reset demands reengineering workflows across departments—from R&D to quality control—to incorporate compliance at every stage.

Staff training on updated protocols ensures operations meet regulatory mandates without disrupting production. Companies must balance compliance demands with operational efficiency, finding ways to integrate new requirements without sacrificing productivity.

How ChemQuest Can Help:

ChemQuest offers guidance on evolving regulations, helping brands understand and adapt to new compliance requirements. Our expertise supports a smooth transition, clarifying regulatory changes and their impact on product documentation.

Conclusion

The 2025 regulatory wave isn’t just another compliance hurdle—it’s a complete reset for personal care manufacturing. In this new landscape, your distribution partner is your competitive edge.

The right partner doesn’t just supply ingredients—they provide regulatory intelligence, formulation expertise, and supply chain security when you need it most. ChemQuest stands at this intersection, offering high-quality materials and the strategic support to navigate these complex changes.

ChemQuest International is a leading distributor that sources high-quality chemical ingredients with strict quality control, reliable delivery, and bulk storage capabilities. For more details, contact us for product specifications and a quote.

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