EU Chemical Strategy for Sustainability: October 2026 Update
Back in June we shared where we were with the EU Chemical Strategy for Sustainability (CSS). A lot has moved since then, so here's a quick update on where things stand, which new fragrance mods are live now and what's coming next.
The short version: nothing has been officially published yet, and there's still nothing you need to do. You can carry on selling your current range.
Where Things Stand
None of the affected ingredients have been officially published yet. Heliotropine has been delayed. It may now be November, but that is not set in stone.
Once an ingredient is published, there will be an 18-month transition period. We will email again with confirmed dates as soon as anything is published.
Because Heliotropine still hasn't been published, the timeline for the Group 2 ingredients will be pushed out further too. We're sticking to our plan anyway and will start moving the rest of Group 2 over to the new mods from January.
| Ingredient | CAS Number | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Heliotropine | 120-57-0 | Not yet published. Possibly November, not confirmed. |
| Tea Tree Oil | 68647-73-4 / 85085-48-9 | Not yet published. No confirmed date. |
| Acetophenone | 98-86-2 | Not yet published. Expected later than our earlier estimate. No confirmed date. |
| Bourgeonal | 18127-01-0 | Not yet published. Expected later than our earlier estimate. No confirmed date. |
| P-tert-Butyltoluene | 98-51-1 | Not yet published. Expected later than our earlier estimate. No confirmed date. |
| Cuminaldehyde | 122-03-2 | Not yet published. Expected later than our earlier estimate. No confirmed date. |
| Cyclamen Aldehyde | 103-95-7 | Not yet published. Expected later than our earlier estimate. No confirmed date. |
| Cyclemax | 7775-00-0 | Not yet published. Expected later than our earlier estimate. No confirmed date. |
| Para-Cymene | 99-87-6 | Not yet published. Expected later than our earlier estimate. No confirmed date. |
Just a reminder: none of our fragrances contain Tea Tree or Acetophenone.
Live Now
These new mods are online now, each with a new SKU.
| Fragrance | New SKU | Group |
|---|---|---|
| Black Raspberry & Peppercorn | FRAG4980 | Group 1 (Heliotropine) |
| Effete | FRAG5020 | Group 1 (Heliotropine) |
| Himalayan Cedar & Jasmine | FRAG4990 | Group 1 (Heliotropine) |
| Luscious Vanilla | FRAG5120 | Group 1 (Heliotropine) |
| Paradise Beach | FRAG5030 | Group 1 (Heliotropine) |
| Parisienne Spring | FRAG5130 | Group 1 (Heliotropine) |
| Solaris Blanc | FRAG5060 | Group 1 (Heliotropine) |
| Black Pomegranate | FRAG5040 | Group 2 |
| Blackcurrant & Tuberose | FRAG5000 | Group 2 |
| Cinnamon, Frankincense & Cedarwood | FRAG5110 | Group 2 |
| Pear & Freesia | FRAG5150 | Group 2 |
| Peony & Blush Suede | FRAG5160 | Group 2 |
| Pink Pepper & Rose | FRAG5050 | Group 2 |
| Black Plum & Rhubarb | FRAG4960 | New manufacturer, as the current one is closing |
We got ahead on Group 2, so six of these are live well before the estimated deadline.
Coming Next
In the next month or so, these will complete Group 1 (Heliotropine):
Buttery Croissant, Rising Sun, Sweet Pea, Vanilla Embers, Verdant Blossom.
From January, the rest of Group 2 will be phased in, ahead of the regulatory timeline:
Amber Noir, Aphrodite, AquaLume, Black Fig & Vetiver, Black Orchid, Clean Cotton, Cranberry & Spiced Ginger, Creamy Musk & Sandalwood, Damson Plum, Rose & Patchouli, Eau Verbena, English Rose, Fairy Dust, Frankincense & Myrrh, Jasmine & Patchouli, Marine, Meadow Lily & Cotton Musk, Pain Au Chocolat, Passionfruit & Mango, Peppermint & Eucalyptus, Pink Champagne & Pomelo, Solaris Noir, Tuscan Herbs.
Discontinued: as mentioned in June, Enliven and Lavender & Dead Sea Minerals will be discontinued.
Current versions stay on sale alongside the new mods until stock sells through.
More Fragrances Being Updated
Classifications keep changing, and rather than wait, we want to get ahead of it. So we have added eight more fragrances to the mod programme. These were not in our June update and will all be available next year, with new SKUs:
Black Iris & Musk, Citronella & Lemongrass, Forbidden Cherry, Imperial, Melon & Cucumber, Pandoras Box, Peach Couture, Pistache.
Our Soaps & Lotions
Our soaps and lotions are nearing the end of stability testing, and so far so good. They smell fabulous.
We're aiming to launch them in the new year. That gives time for new CPSRs (Cosmetic Product Safety Reports), product labels and notifications to be done.
Quick Reminders
- New SKU means new mod. Every reformulated fragrance has a new product code, so there's no mix-up between old and new oils.
- New UFI numbers. If you're in the EU or sell into the EU, every new mod has a new UFI. You'll find it in Section 1.1 of the 100% Fragrance Oil SDS and on the CLP label on your bottle.
- Candle recipes. Recipes for each new mod are available in 9cl and 30cl, tested in RCX, EU464 and Apricot & Coconut waxes. You'll find them in our recipe library.
Questions?
If you have any questions, pop us a message or email Cheryl.maclean@candle-shack.co.uk.
And please make sure you're signed up to our newsletter. That's how we'll let you know the moment anything is officially published.
This article is intended as a general guide and is accurate to the best of our knowledge at the time of publication. All dates are estimates unless stated as confirmed.
Candle Shack Product & Regulatory Team
