mercury (and mercury compounds)

Regions

MarketStatusLimitRuleSource
European UnionBannedAnnex II (prohibited except trace)Source
United StatesBanned21 CFR 700.13 — prohibited except trace in eye-area antisepticsSource
South KoreaNo entry in our compiled ruleset — verify with MFDS — Cosmetics Act ingredient standards.
JapanBannedMHLW Ordinance 331 — prohibited substanceSource
ChinaBannedNMPA prohibited raw material listSource
United KingdomNo entry in our compiled ruleset — verify with OPSS — UK Cosmetics Regulation.
CanadaNo entry in our compiled ruleset — verify with Health Canada — Cosmetic Ingredient Hotlist.
AustraliaBannedAICIS restricts/prohibits import and export of mercury and mercury compounds under the Minamata Convention on Mercury (Industrial Chemicals Act 2019); importing/exporting without authorisation is an offence. Mercury compounds are also prohibited cosmetic ingredients under the Poisons Standard.Source
IndiaRestrictedCosmetics Rules 2020, Rule 39(5): eye-area cosmetics max 70 ppm (0.007%) as preservative; unintentional mercury in other finished products max 1 ppmSource
BrazilNo entry in our compiled ruleset — verify with ANVISA — RDC resolutions.
MexicoNo entry in our compiled ruleset — verify with COFEPRIS.
ASEANNo entry in our compiled ruleset — verify with ASEAN Cosmetic Directive — Annexes.
California (US)BannedCal. Health & Safety Code §108980(a); CAS 7439-97-6 (trace-impurity exemption applies)Source
Washington State (US)BannedRCW 70A.560.020 (CAS 7439-97-6) — intentionally added prohibition, effective 2025-01-01Source

Retailer standards

RetailerStatusNoteSource
Clean at SephoraNo entry in our compiled ruleset — verify with Sephora clean-seal ingredient criteria.
Conscious Beauty at UltaNo entry in our compiled ruleset — verify with Ulta Beauty made-without list.
Target CleanNo entry in our compiled ruleset — verify with Target Clean icon ingredient criteria.
Amazon listing complianceBannedProhibited under Amazon AwareSource
Credo Clean StandardNo entry in our compiled ruleset — verify with The Credo Clean Standard dirty list.
Whole Foods Body CareNo entry in our compiled ruleset — verify with Whole Foods Market body-care quality standards.
Whole Foods Premium Body CareNo entry in our compiled ruleset — verify with Whole Foods Market premium body-care standards.
Walmart Sustainable ChemistryNo entry in our compiled ruleset — verify with Walmart sustainable chemistry commitment.
Walmart Made Without ListNo entry in our compiled ruleset — verify with Walmart made-without-list substances.
CVS store-brand chemicals policyBannedSKIN category, restricted (CAS 7439-97-6) — verified in sourceSource
Costco vendor complianceNo entry in our compiled ruleset — verify with Costco wholesale vendor requirements.
Douglas clean criteriaNo entry in our compiled ruleset — verify with Douglas (EU) clean beauty criteria.
The Detox Market banned listBannedOn The Detox Market's published banned-ingredients list. Stated concern: Neurotoxicity, Reproductive Harm, Organ Toxicity/Irritation. Products stocked by The Detox Market are formulated without it.Source

2026-07-21 · Compiled from cited primary sources. Informational only — not legal advice.

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