The UK Ban on 4 MBC (Enzacamene): A UV Filter Prohibited in Great Britain
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Spectra Cosmetic Compliance
This ban is one element of SI 2026/23. Note that regulatory positions evolve, so confirm the current detail for your specific products.
What is 4 MBC?
4 MBC 3 (4 methylbenzylidene) camphor, also known by the INCI name Enzacamene is an organic UV filter historically used in sunscreens and other products with SPF to absorb ultraviolet light and protect the skin. Like other UV filters, it was permitted for use in cosmetics under the regulated list of allowed UV filters, subject to conditions.
UV filters are among the most tightly regulated cosmetic ingredients, precisely because they are used on large areas of skin, often repeatedly and in the sun, and are subject to ongoing safety review. 4 MBC is one of several UV filters that have come under scrutiny as the science and regulatory assessment have advanced.
Why it has been banned
SI 2026/23 prohibits 4-MBC (3-(4'-methylbenzylidene)-camphor) following advice from the UK's Scientific Advisory Group on Chemical Safety (SAG-CS) that there is a potential risk to human health arising from its use in cosmetic products. On that basis, it has been added to Annex II the list of substances prohibited in cosmetics under the UK Cosmetics Regulation and removed from Annex VI, the list of UV filters permitted for use.
This reflects the general pattern of cosmetic ingredient regulation, mirrored in the EU under Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009: where updated scientific assessment identifies a concern that cannot be adequately addressed by restriction, a substance can move from being permitted (with conditions) to being prohibited outright. UV filters have been a particular focus of such reassessment in recent years, following similar SCCS opinions on the EU side.
The deadlines
There are two key dates. From 15 July 2026, products containing 4 MBC cannot be newly placed on the Great Britain market. Products that were legally placed on the market before that date may continue to be supplied the sell-through period until 14 January 2027, after which they can no longer be made available.
This gives a defined but limited window. New or restocked products from 15 July 2026 must be 4 MBC-free for the GB market, and any remaining stock must clear by the January 2027 sell through deadline. Brands should plan reformulation and stock management around these dates.
Who is affected
The ban affects any brand placing sunscreens or SPF-containing products on the Great Britain market that use 4 MBC as a UV filter. This can include dedicated sunscreens, but also day creams, moisturisers, make up and other products that incorporate SPF. Because SPF is added to a growing range of everyday products, the ban's reach is wider than sunscreens alone.
Brands should check the UV filter systems in all their SPF products, not just obvious sun creams. A product using 4 MBC as one of several UV filters is just as affected as one relying on it alone. Identifying every affected product is the first step in responding.
The Northern Ireland position
As with the rest of SI 2026/23, this ban applies to Great Britain England, Scotland and Wales. Northern Ireland follows the EU rules under the Windsor Framework, so the position there depends on the EU's treatment of 4 MBC rather than the UK instrument. Brands selling across the whole UK need to consider both positions.
This is a recurring feature of post-Brexit cosmetic compliance: a UK wide brand must track both the GB rules and the EU rules that apply in Northern Ireland, which may treat a given substance differently or on different timelines. Confirming the current EU position on 4 MBC is advisable for products sold in Northern Ireland or the EU.
What brands need to do
The immediate step is to check every SPF product for 4 MBC (Enzacamene) in its formulation. Where it is present, plan to reformulate with an alternative permitted UV filter system ahead of the 15 July 2026 deadline, and manage existing stock to clear within the sell-through period. Reformulating a UV filter system is non-trivial, since it affects the product's SPF performance and stability, so allow time.
Affected products will need their CPSR and PIF updated to reflect the reformulation, and any label changes made. Because a UV filter change alters the product's safety profile, a proper reassessment is essential this is not a change that can be made informally. Our guide to SI 2026/23 covers the wider instrument.
The wider UV filter picture
The 4 MBC ban does not exist in isolation. UV filters as a category are under ongoing scientific reassessment in both the UK and EU, and 4 MBC is one of several that have come under scrutiny as the evidence has developed. Some have been restricted to lower concentrations, some flagged for concerns such as potential endocrine activity, and others, like 4 MBC in Great Britain, prohibited outright.
For sun care and SPF brands, this means UV filter compliance is not a fixed target. A UV filter system that is compliant today may be affected by a future restriction, so brands with significant SPF ranges benefit from watching the regulatory pipeline rather than reacting only when a ban lands. Building products around a robust, well supported set of UV filters reduces the risk of repeated reformulation.
This is also an argument for designing SPF products with some resilience in mind favouring UV filters with strong, current safety backing, and being ready to reformulate if the position on a particular filter changes. The 4 MBC ban is a reminder that, for UV filters especially, regulatory review is continuous and brands should plan for it.
Alternatives and reformulation planning
Where 4 MBC is removed, brands reformulate with alternative permitted UV filters to maintain the product’s SPF and broad-spectrum protection. There is an established range of UV filters still permitted for cosmetic use, so a compliant replacement is available but matching the original protection, texture and stability can take formulation work, since UV filters differ in the wavelengths they absorb and how they behave in a formula.
The sensible approach is to plan the reformulation as a proper development exercise: select a replacement UV filter system, test that the product still delivers its claimed SPF and remains stable, and reassess it. Rushing a UV filter swap risks a product that is compliant on ingredients but underperforms on protection which, for a sun care product, is its own kind of failure. Allowing time before the deadline is the way to get both right.
Not sure whether your SPF products are affected by the 4-MBC ban? Spectra can review your formulations, identify products containing 4-MBC and support the compliance work needed for reformulation, CPSR and PIF updates.
Frequently asked questions
What is 4 MBC?
4 MBC 3-(4 methylbenzylidene) camphor, INCI name Enzacamene is a UV filter historically used in sunscreens and SPF products to absorb ultraviolet light. It was previously permitted for cosmetic use under the regulated list of UV filters.
Why has 4 MBC been banned in the UK?
SI 2026/23 prohibits it following advice from the UK's Scientific Advisory Group on Chemical Safety of a potential risk to human health from its use in cosmetics. It's been added to the prohibited list and removed from the permitted UV filters.
When does the 4 MBC ban take effect?
From 15 July 2026, products containing 4-MBC can't be newly placed on the Great Britain market. Products placed before that date may be supplied until 14 January 2027, after which they can no longer be made available.
Which products are affected?
Any product placed on the GB market using 4-MBC as a UV filter dedicated sunscreens, but also day creams, moisturisers and make up that include SPF. The reach is wider than sun creams alone.
Does the ban apply in Northern Ireland?
The ban applies to Great Britain. Northern Ireland follows EU rules under the Windsor Framework, so the position there depends on the EU's treatment of 4-MBC. UK wide brands should check both.
What should I do if my product contains 4-MBC?
Reformulate with an alternative permitted UV filter system before 15 July 2026, manage existing stock within the sell through period, and update the affected CPSR and PIF. A UV filter change alters the safety profile, so proper reassessment is essential.
Is reformulating a UV filter straightforward?
Not entirely changing a UV filter system affects the product's SPF performance and stability, so it needs proper formulation work, testing and reassessment. Allow time ahead of the deadline rather than treating it as a quick swap.
Are other UV filters under review?
Yes. UV filters as a category are under ongoing scientific reassessment in both the UK and EU, with some restricted and others flagged for concerns. Brands with significant SPF ranges benefit from watching the pipeline rather than reacting only when a ban lands.
References: SI 2026/23 (legislation.gov.uk); OPSS guidance; UK SAG-CS opinion on 4-MBC. Verified July 2026; confirm current detail before acting. General information only, not legal advice.