SCCS/1685/25: Scientific Opinion on Cannabidiol (CBD) in Cosmetics

The Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety (SCCS) published its scientific advice on cannabidiol (CBD) in cosmetics on 24 April 2026. The document was adopted on 26 March 2026 under the number SCCS/1685/25. The Committee considers CBD to be safe at certain maximum concentrations and also states a limit for contamination with tetrahydrocannabinol (THC).

What the SCCS assessed

The European Commission had asked the SCCS for a scientific advice. The substance assessed was cannabidiol with CAS number 13956-29-1 and EC number 689-176-3. Specifically, two questions were addressed: first, what maximum concentration of CBD is considered safe when used in cosmetic products. Second, what content of delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) as an impurity in CBD preparations is still considered safe.

A Scientific Advice is a scientific assessment by the SCCS. It does not yet constitute an amendment to the Cosmetics Regulation (EU) No 1223/2009. Whether and how the Commission implements the findings legally, for example through an entry in the annexes of the Regulation, has not yet been decided.

The stated maximum levels

According to its own statement, the SCCS bases its assessment on limited available data. On this basis, the Committee arrives at the following values:

The value of 0.19% thus applies both to products applied to the skin and to products intended for use in the oral cavity. The SCCS emphasises that this applies regardless of whether the applications occur alone or in combination. For THC as an unintended impurity, the Committee states a significantly lower limit of 0.00025%.

Important limitations of the assessment

The SCCS makes several reservations clear. These are central to how the document should be interpreted:

• Data availability: The Committee points out that the assessment has limitations because only a few participants responded to the Commission's Call for Data. These limitations can be addressed once interested applicants provide sufficient data and information.
• Pure CBD only: The assessment relates exclusively to the safety of pure CBD. The SCCS does not conclusively address the possible unintended trace presence of other cannabinoids in its safety assessment. The answer to the question of further scientific concerns is that the assessment is based solely on the safety of pure CBD.
• No inhalation: The Scientific Advice explicitly does not consider the use of CBD in cosmetic products that could lead to exposure of the end user's lungs through inhalation.

These points mean: applications that result in inhalation, and preparations that go beyond pure CBD, are not covered by the stated values.

Who is affected

This concerns manufacturers, producers and distributors who use or intend to use CBD in dermal or oral cosmetic products. The legal status of CBD in cosmetics is determined by the Cosmetics Regulation (EU) No 1223/2009 and its associated annexes. A Scientific Advice from the SCCS is a technical basis from which the Commission can derive regulatory steps. As long as no corresponding entry is made in the annexes, the document does not change the applicable legal situation.

The Scientific Advice itself does not specify a transitional period, as it is not a legal act. Whether implementation will follow and what deadlines would then apply cannot be derived from the present document.

What manufacturers can take into account now

Anyone planning or already marketing CBD-containing cosmetics can use the SCCS values as a current scientific reference point for their own safety assessment. It is advisable to keep the following points in mind:

• Document the actual CBD concentrations in your own formulations in relation to the stated value of 0.19%.
• Verify the THC content of the CBD preparations used via certificates of analysis from raw material suppliers and compare it with the value of 0.00025%.
• Note that applications with possible inhalation exposure are not covered by the Scientific Advice.
• Monitor further developments at EU level, as a possible legal implementation has yet to take place.

The full opinion is available for review as document SCCS/1685/25. It can be accessed on the publications page of the European Commission. An overview of all SCCS opinions can be found in the SCCS Opinions database.

If you would like to check how the stated values can be reflected in your safety assessment (CPSR under Annex I), we can support you with the technical evaluation of your formulation. Details can be found via our inquiry form.