Cannabidiol (CBD) is a naturally occurring compound derived from the Cannabis sativa plant. Unlike tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), CBD does not have psychoactive effects and has become widely used in cosmetics for its perceived soothing, anti-inflammatory, and skin-conditioning properties.
As consumer interest in CBD-containing products has grown, so too has regulatory scrutiny. The European Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety (SCCS) has recently published a preliminary safety assessment on CBD, offering important insight into how its use in cosmetics may be regulated in the future.
Although still open for public consultation and not yet formally adopted, the draft opinion outlines proposed safety limits. The SCCS concludes that CBD is safe for use in cosmetic products—both dermal and oral—at a maximum concentration of 0.19%.
In addition to limits on CBD itself, the committee has proposed strict controls on naturally occurring impurities. Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), when present as a contaminant, must not exceed 0.00025%. Where THC levels are specified in product documentation, these should be aligned with this proposed threshold.
While not yet legally binding, these limits strongly indicate the direction the European Union is likely to take. The SCCS’s approach is focused on managing long-term, cumulative exposure to CBD across the population, rather than addressing immediate safety concerns associated with individual products.
There is currently no confirmed timeline for implementation, though a period of approximately four years would be consistent with typical EU regulatory processes.
In the meantime, companies are not required to reformulate existing products. CBD-containing products can continue to be placed on the market at current use levels until any restriction is formally adopted and enforced across the EU.
However this draft opinion provides a valuable opportunity for businesses to assess their portfolios, review technical documentation, and begin to proactively prepare for future compliance.