Ultramarine & Preparations Based Thereon

Ultramarine blue is listed as an approved color additive for certain cosmetic uses under FDA regulations, but the approval is use-specific — it is not permitted in all cosmetic applications, and it is not approved for use in products applied near the eye in some contexts. Importers supplying cosmetic manufacturers should confirm the intended application against the current FDA color additive regulations and consult a regulatory specialist if the use case is borderline.

Ultramarine's ability to absorb yellow-spectrum light makes it effective as a fabric-bluing agent in detergents, counteracting yellowing in white textiles — a function distinct from its role as a paint pigment. Despite this functional difference, both pigment-grade and detergent-grade ultramarine fall under the same SITC heading. Importers should ensure the product specification and end-use declaration on entry documents accurately reflect the intended application.