# Silicones: Regulation

Why Europe is restricting D4, D5 and D6

Source page: https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/silicones/regulation/

What this tab covers How it is regulated and what could disrupt supply: hazard classification, rules in the EU, US and India, anti-dumping duties and other trade measures, and supply-risk notes.

#### Hazards

| Classification | UN number | Key risks |
|---|---|---|
| PDMS polymers generally not classified; D4 is reproductive toxicity category 2; chlorosilanes are flammable, water-reactive and corrosive | UN1162 (dimethyldichlorosilane, intermediate) | Chlorosilane releases form HCl clouds; D4, D5 and D6 are persistent and bioaccumulative in the environment. |

#### Main rules

| Where | Rule | Effect |
|---|---|---|
| **EU** | REACH restriction on D4, D5 and D6 (Regulation (EU) 2024/1328), extending the 2020 wash-off cosmetics limit of 0.1% to leave-on cosmetics and other consumer and professional products from 2026-2027 (indicative dates) | Forces reformulation in personal care and cleaning products |
| **EU** | D4, D5 and D6 listed as substances of very high concern (2018, indicative) | Disclosure obligations |
| **US** | EPA TSCA risk evaluation of D4 (requested by manufacturers, indicative) | Possible future limits |
| **Global** | Medical device and food-contact approvals (FDA, EU MDR) | Qualification barriers that protect incumbents |

#### India

| Rule | Effect |
|---|---|
| **BIS cosmetics standards and CDSCO cosmetics rules (2020)** | Indian cosmetics may follow EU limits on cyclosiloxanes over time (indicative) |
| **MSIHC Rules 1989** | Covers chlorosilanes if handled |
| **Solar and EV PLI schemes** | Raise domestic demand for silicone encapsulants and sealants |

#### Trade measures

- US anti-dumping and countervailing duties on silicon metal and ferrosilicon from several countries (silicon tile)
- No current Indian silicone trade remedy confirmed in sources reached

#### Supply risk

High concentration: China makes most silicon metal and siloxane. The EU lists silicon metal as a critical and strategic raw material (Critical Raw Materials Act, 2024). Western upstream capacity is shrinking.

## Other sections

- [Summary](https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/silicones/index.md)
- [Overview](https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/silicones/overview/index.md)
- [Correlation](https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/silicones/correlation/index.md)
- [Production route](https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/silicones/routes/index.md)
- [Production](https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/silicones/production/index.md)
- [Feedstocks](https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/silicones/feedstocks/index.md)
- [Cycles](https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/silicones/cycles/index.md)
- [Trading](https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/silicones/trading/index.md)
- [Movement](https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/silicones/movement/index.md)
- [Characteristics](https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/silicones/characteristics/index.md)
- [Emissions](https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/silicones/emissions/index.md)
- [Relationships](https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/silicones/links/index.md)