New Zealand Cosmetics Rules: 2026 Changes and the 2027 PFAS Deadline

Short Answer

New Zealand’s updated Cosmetic Products Group Standard took effect on 1 January 2026. The PFAS transition is later: manufacture or import is prohibited from 1 January 2027, supply from 1 January 2028, and remaining PFAS cosmetics must be disposed of by 30 June 2028.

Key Takeaways

• The updated group standard is already effective.
• PFAS manufacture/import, supply and disposal have three different dates.
• The EPA guidance page explains the transition; the consolidated group standard is the legal source for the full requirements.

Regulatory Status and Transition

The New Zealand EPA states that the updated Cosmetic Products Group Standard took effect on 1 January 2026. [NZ-COSMETICS-2026][NZ-GROUP-STANDARD-2026]

Cosmetics containing PFAS cannot be manufactured or imported from 1 January 2027, cannot be supplied from 1 January 2028, and must be disposed of by 30 June 2028. [NZ-COSMETICS-2026][NZ-GROUP-STANDARD-2026]

Preparation Priorities

• Review formulas and supplier declarations for intentionally added PFAS.
• Map each SKU to manufacture/import, supply and disposal dates.
• Check the current schedules and labeling provisions in the consolidated group standard.
• Keep transition inventory quantities and decisions traceable.

Common Mistakes

• Treating the 2026 effective date as the PFAS ban date.
• Merging manufacture/import and supply deadlines.
• Using the guidance page without checking the consolidated legal instrument.

Practical Checklist

• Formula and supplier evidence are current.
• Each PFAS lifecycle date is recorded separately.
• Inventory decisions are tied to a product version.
• The consolidated group standard version is stored.
• Future review dates have an owner.

How EasyComply Can Help

EasyComply can help structure source, formula and inventory evidence around each regulatory date. This article does not replace a product-specific review of the current group standard.