Formaldehyde in Cosmetics
Rulemaking

Hello Safer Products for Washington Stakeholders and interested parties, 

We are sharing news from Ecology's safer cosmetics team. We're proposing a rule to restrict intentionally added formaldehyde-releasing chemicals in cosmetics. This is a separate effort from Safer Products for Washington. 

If you're interested in the safer cosmetic products work, read the email below for more information and sign up for Toxic-Free Cosmetics Act (TFCA) email announcements. 

Formaldehyde in Cosmetics Rulemaking

We’re proposing restrictions to make cosmetic products safer and we need your feedback.

Our proposed rule—Chapter 173-339 WAC—restricts formaldehyde and formaldehyde releasers intentionally used in cosmetic products. Formaldehyde can cause cancer, harm brain function, increase the risk of asthma, and irritate eyes and skin. This rule will reduce exposures to formaldehyde by restricting their use in cosmetics.

Register and attend a hearing

Attend an online public hearing to learn more about the rule. During the hearings, we'll accept verbal comments. You are welcome to attend one or both:

• March 31, 2025, at 10:00 AM PDT (register for the online hearing)
• April 1, 2025, at 5:30 PM PDT (register for the online hearing)

Our presentation slides will be available on our interested parties website on Monday, March 31, 2025. 

You can also submit comments online until April 11, 2025, at 11:59 PM PST. Learn more about this public comment period. 

After the comment period, we will review comments, consider revisions to the proposed rule, and respond to comments. Comments received will inform the final rule and rulemaking documents.

We expect to decide on rule adoption in August 2025.

Review proposed rule documents

Draft documents available for comment:

• Proposed rule: Includes draft requirements such as restrictions on intentionally added formaldehyde and formaldehyde releasers.
• Draft Implementation Plan: Describes rulemaking and other efforts to make cosmetic products safer and to protect Washington residents, particularly people with higher toxic exposures.
• Preliminary Regulatory Analyses: Explains potential costs and benefits of the proposed rule.
• Draft SEPA Determination of Non-Significance and Environmental Checklist: Describes potential environmental benefits of the proposed rule.

Supporting documents about the rule:

• Overview: Formaldehyde in Cosmetics Rulemaking to learn more about the Formaldehyde in Cosmetics Rulemaking.
• Formaldehyde Releasers Technical Support to learn how we developed the list of formaldehyde releasers.

How can I learn more?

• Visit our webpages:
  • Rulemaking
  • Toxic-Free Cosmetics Act
  • Toxic-Free Cosmetics Act information for interested parties
• Join our email list.

Accessibility

The Department of Ecology is committed to providing people with disabilities access to information and services by meeting or exceeding the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Section 504 and 508 of the Rehabilitation Act, and Washington State Policy #188. To request ADA accommodation, contact Ecology by phone at 360-407-6700 or email at hwtrpubs@ecy.wa.gov. For Washington Relay Service or TTY, call 711 or 877-833-6341 (TTY). Visit Ecology’s website for more information.