South Africa GN R1227 - cosmetic mercury-preservative exceptions

Scope

GN R1227 prohibits lead and its salts, mercury and its salts, active depigmenting ingredients, and cosmetics marketed as skin bleachers, lighteners, or whiteners. The numeric rows come from the proviso that allows limited mercury preservatives in narrow cosmetic uses.

Exact limit and units

How tested

The notice does not reproduce a test method for mercury in the extractable text. The values are stated directly as maximum concentrations calculated as the metal.

Enforcement posture

The notice is made under the Foodstuffs, Cosmetics and Disinfectants Act. It prohibits the broader lead/mercury and skin-lightening categories while preserving the two numeric mercury-preservative exceptions.

History of changes

The notice was published as Government Notice No. R. 1227 of 24 June 1988 and later amended by Government Notices R.1783 of 2 September 1988 and R.1861 of 10 August 1990.

How it compares

The eye-makeup exception is close to the 0.007% mercury-preservative limit used in EU-style cosmetic frameworks, while the concentrated shampoo/cream exception is lower at 30 mg/kg.

Sources

• Regulations prohibiting the use of any active or potentially active depigmenting ingredient, lead and its salts, mercury and its salts and the cosmetic category skin bleacher, skin lightener or skin whitener

Update history

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