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Selenium and its compounds with the exception of selenium disulphide under the conditions set out under reference No 49 in Annex III

CAS 7782-49-2 · EC 231-957-4

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What it is + why it's regulated

Selenium is a naturally occurring element that, in certain forms, can be toxic. In cosmetics, selenium and most of its compounds are banned under EU regulations because of potential health risks. The exception is selenium disulphide, which is allowed only under strict conditions, such as in anti-dandruff shampoos at low concentrations. Selenium is sometimes used in industrial settings or as a dietary supplement, but in personal care products, it is restricted to prevent skin irritation or more serious effects. The EU Cosmetics Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009 lists selenium and its compounds in Annex II as prohibited substances, meaning they cannot be added to cosmetic products sold in the EU. This rule helps protect consumers from unnecessary exposure. For more details, see the EU CosIng database at https://ec.europa.eu/growth/tools-databases/cosing/. This summary draws on public regulatory data; the linked source is authoritative.

Regulation: (EC) No 1223/2009

Authoritative source

Issuing body: EU Cosmetic Regulation Annex II (banned in cosmetics)
Primary register: https://ec.europa.eu/growth/tools-databases/cosing/

Always verify each fact at the primary register before acting on it.

What this is NOT

ProductGuru is an INDEX of public regulatory data, not a primary source. This page is not medical, occupational-health, or legal advice. Every claim above is drawn from the issuing-agency register linked. Inclusion in our index is not endorsement, condemnation, or hazard assessment.

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