Waldencast plc Suspends SEC Reporting Obligations
The company moves to the OTC market, significantly reducing its regulatory compliance and reporting requirements.
Updated on Oct. 15, 2026 in Public Companies
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Waldencast plc has filed a Form 15 with the SEC to deregister its securities and suspend its periodic reporting requirements. This move follows the company’s recent transition to trading on the Pink Limited market of the OTC Markets Group.
Why it matters
The transition to the OTC market and the suspension of SEC reporting obligations significantly reduce the regulatory compliance burden for Waldencast plc. Operators should note how such shifts impact the cost of maintaining public listing status versus internal financial reporting priorities.
The company’s deregistration filing terminates the registration of its Class A Ordinary Shares, which have a par value of $0.0001, and warrants with an exercise price of $11.50. The SEC reporting suspension includes Annual Reports on Form 20-F and Current Reports on Form 6-K.
The players
Waldencast plc
A beauty and wellness company that operates a portfolio of brands, including Milk Makeup.
The details
By filing a Certification and Notice of Termination of Registration, the company immediately halts its mandatory SEC disclosures. The securities now trade on the Pink Limited market under the tickers MLKMF and MLKWF, which are generally subject to less stringent oversight than major exchanges. If the Form 15 is denied or withdrawn, however, the company would resume its previous reporting obligations.
Timeline
October 5, 2026: Company began quoting on OTC Markets Pink Limited market.
October 15, 2026: Company filed Form 15 with the SEC.
January 2027: Expected effective date of deregistration.
Market Landscape
This move marks a formal exercise of the exit provisions established by the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 to allow firms to cease mandatory SEC reporting. It follows a growing trend of smaller firms opting for the Pink Limited market to prioritize operating flexibility over broad capital market access.
Operators currently navigating public market presence should monitor the cost savings of this transition compared to the potential impact on liquidity and valuation. Businesses evaluating their own reporting obligations should consult with counsel regarding the strict 90-day effective timeline.
The takeaway
Companies moving to the Pink Limited market face immediate shifts in how they communicate with investors. Management teams should prioritize transparency in private channels to replace the visibility lost from the cessation of 20-F and 6-K filings.
What happens next
The company anticipates the deregistration process will become effective in January 2027, marking the end of its formal SEC reporting requirements.
Further reading
For more on shifts in regulatory status, visit our section on Public Companies.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Manila times.
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