Allergen labelling deadlines for the EU, UK and Canada
The thresholds are the same everywhere: 0.01% for rinse-off and 0.001% for leave-on products. What differs is which allergens are required and from when.
| Market | Which allergens | Deadline |
|---|---|---|
| European Union (and Northern Ireland) | 24 original + 57 new entries | New products placed on the market from 31 July 2026. Products already on the market may be sold until 31 July 2028, after that every product must comply. |
| Great Britain (England, Scotland, Wales) | Only the original 24 | The extended EU list has not been adopted and there is no official date yet. You may still list more allergens than required. |
| Canada | The EU list, adopted directly | 24 allergens from 12 April 2026. Extended list: new products from 1 August 2026, all products from 1 August 2028. Labels in English and French. |
What "placed on the market" means for a small maker
A product is placed on the market when you first make it available for sale. A new soap you launch after 31 July 2026 needs the new list from day one. A soap you already sold before that date can keep its old label until 31 July 2028, but it is easier to update all labels at once.
Hard limits, not only labelling
Some entries are restricted, not just labelled: Isoeugenol and Rose Ketones max 0.02%, Peru balsam (Myroxylon Pereirae) max 0.4%, Verbena absolute max 0.2%, 3-Propylidenephthalide max 0.01%. Methyl Salicylate (wintergreen) must not be used in products for children under 6.
What to do now
- Ask your suppliers for allergen declarations in the new format (see how to check them).
- Recalculate each recipe with the extended list.
- Send the updated list to your safety assessor and update your labels.