TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — The Food and Drug Administration is set to impose a full ban on the use of boric acid in cosmetics in Taiwan, following the conclusion of a public comment period on a proposed regulatory amendment on Monday.
If enacted, the rule change would eliminate the remaining legal uses of boric acid in non-medicated oral care products such as toothpaste and mouthwash, the only categories where it is currently permitted. The ban would take effect on July 1 next year, according to CNA.
Boric acid has historically been used to treat minor wounds, fungal infections, and even eye irritation in diluted form. Despite these uses, safety concerns remain, according to the Chemicals Administration.
While not acutely toxic in small amounts, boric acid can accumulate in the human body over time, potentially causing damage to the central nervous and digestive systems. Symptoms of boric acid poisoning in humans may include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, skin redness, and in severe cases, shock or coma.
The estimated lethal oral dose is approximately 15–20 grams for adults, 5–6 grams for young children, and 2–3 grams for infants.
During the 60-day public comment period, the administration received nine submissions, most from industry stakeholders urging a longer transition period to allow for product reformulation. The agency stated that it would consider industry feedback and local market conditions before finalizing the implementation timeline.
Under current regulations, non-medicated oral care products may contain boric acid at concentrations up to 0.1%. Stricter limitations are imposed for products intended for children under 3 years of age.
Once the ban is in effect, the use of boric acid in cosmetics will be deemed a violation of Article 6 of the Cosmetic Hygiene and Safety Act. Offenders may face fines ranging from NT$20,000 to NT$5 million, with repeat violations subject to escalating penalties, including suspension or revocation of business licenses and product registrations.
The administration's definition of cosmetics extends beyond makeup to include a wide range of personal care products such as shampoo, facial cleansers, body wash, soap, deodorants, lotions, hair oils, lipsticks, foundation, eyeliner, nail polish, and toothpaste.
