Australia’s compliance deadline hits cosmetics, green tea extracts, and marine paints

CANBERRA, Australia, 5 August 2026 — Companies supplying certain cosmetic products, concentrated green tea extracts and marine anti-fouling paints in Australia face new labelling and chemical concentration requirements from 1 October 2026.

Cosmetic preparations containing BPA glycidyl dimethacrylate or BPA glycidyl diacrylate will need specified first-aid and skin-sensitisation statements. Oral green tea extract products providing more than 300 mg of epigallocatechin-3-gallate, or EGCG, at the maximum recommended daily dose will need two prescribed consumer warnings. The permitted lead concentration in anti-fouling paint will also decrease from 0.1% to 0.06% of the paint’s non-volatile content.

BPA cosmetic ingredients will require specified label statements

From 1 October 2026, BPA glycidyl dimethacrylate and BPA glycidyl diacrylate in preparations for cosmetic use will be added to Schedule 6. Both substances are currently unscheduled.

Cosmetic products containing these substances must include consumer warnings: "Avoid contact with skin," and “(Over) (Repeated) exposure may cause sensitization." The label must also provide a first aid instruction: “For advice, contact a Poisons Information Centre (e.g. phone Australia 13 11 26; New Zealand 0800 764 766) or a doctor (at once).”

Green tea extracts above 300 mg EGCG per day will need liver warnings

Also from 1 October 2026, preparations containing Camellia sinensis extract for internal use will be captured where they provide more than 300 mg EGCG at the maximum recommended daily dose.

Affected products must carry statements directing consumers to take the product with food and to stop using it and consult a doctor if symptoms associated with liver injury occur.

The listed symptoms include yellowing of the skin or eyes, unusual fatigue, nausea, appetite loss, abdominal pain, dark urine, and itching.

Products providing no more than 300 mg EGCG at the maximum recommended daily dose will remain outside the new entry. Certain preparations for human therapeutic use will also be excluded where they comply with the applicable medicine-labelling requirements.

The threshold must be assessed against the product’s maximum recommended daily intake, rather than only the amount of EGCG in a single capsule, scoop, or serving. A product containing less than 300 mg in each unit may still be captured where its directions allow consumers to take multiple units per day.

The decision may affect concentrated green tea extract supplements, foods containing concentrated extracts and bulk food-additive powders capable of delivering more than 300 mg EGCG per day. The new entry applies regardless of the method used to produce the extract but is directed at internal use rather than topical products.

Anti-fouling paints must contain no more than 0.06% lead

From 1 October 2026, the maximum permitted concentration of lead in anti-fouling paint will fall from 0.1% to 0.06%, calculated on the paint’s non-volatile content.

Anti-fouling paints containing more than 0.06% lead will fall within the Schedule 10 prohibition and cannot be used for that purpose after the deadline.

The lower limit applies specifically to anti-fouling paint. Other paints, including anti-corrosive paints, as well as tinters, inks and ink additives, remain subject to the existing maximum concentration of 0.009% lead, calculated on their non-volatile content.

The TGA retained a separate, higher limit for anti-fouling paint because copper compounds commonly used as active ingredients may contain residual lead and the availability of alternatives has been limited. The staged reduction is intended to give the sector additional time to lower lead levels while progressively reducing exposure.

The agency also intends to reduce the lead limit for anti-fouling paint further to 0.009% from 1 October 2029. However, that lower threshold has not yet been formally adopted and will require a separate final decision closer to the proposed implementation date.

Future deadlines to watch

Further changes affecting consumer and industrial products will follow.

From 1 October 2027, the existing entry for lauryl sulfate salts will be broadened to cover medium- and long-chain C6–C15 alkyl sulfates, with separate concentration thresholds for wash-off products, leave-on preparations, toothpaste and oral-hygiene products, animal-use products and other formulations; companies will need to add together all covered alkyl sulfates when determining whether a threshold is exceeded.

From 1 February 2028, products containing methyl ethyl ketone oxime, or MEKO, will face new restrictions. Viscous silicone adhesives or viscous silicone sealants for outdoor use and indoor use are limited to 0.5% and 0.2%. Other products are subject to a restriction of 0.1%. These products are also subjected to specified labeling requirements.

Impact for industry

Cosmetics companies should identify preparations containing BPA glycidyl dimethacrylate or BPA glycidyl diacrylate and ensure that labels include the prescribed Poisons Information Centre or doctor instruction, the direction to avoid skin contact and the warning that overexposure or repeated exposure may cause sensitisation.

Green tea extract suppliers should calculate EGCG content using the maximum recommended daily dose and add both prescribed statements where the product exceeds 300 mg EGCG per day and no exemption applies.

Anti-fouling paint manufacturers and importers should verify lead concentrations in finished products, review raw materials that may contribute residual lead, and reformulate or remove products exceeding the new 0.06% threshold. Companies should also assess stock already manufactured, labelled, imported, or held in distribution channels that may remain on the Australian market after 1 October 2026.

Companies selling products containing MEKO will need to review the upcoming restrictions and begin the re-formulation process if necessary to meet the 2028 compliance deadline.