Danger GHS02GHS05GHS06 NOAEL Data REACH Registered Cosmetic Ingredient

Formic acid

Also known as: EINECS 200-579-1, FEMA No. 2487, RCRA waste number U123, EPA Pesticide Chemical Code 214900, Spirit of formic acid (+15 more)

CAS 64-18-6

Formic acid (CAS 64-18-6) is a chemical substance with GHS signal word Danger; key hazard signal: H226; H290; H331; H302; H314; H318. Key regulatory status: REACH registered, 31 regulatory/inventory lists, cosmetic ingredient cross-reference; source data from ECHA CLP, EPA ToxValDB, EPA CPDat, ECHA REACH, ILO ICSC, OSHA, EPA TRI.

View cosmetic safety profile for Formic Acid →

SOURCE noael studies public
NOAEL studies
62
SOURCE chemical inventory jurisdictions
Regulatory lists
31
SOURCE eu clp annex vi
GHS signal
Danger

Chemical Identity

CAS, identifiers, formula, and alternate names for the matched substance record.

SOURCE DSSTox identifiers 26 fields
Name
Formic acid
CAS Number
64-18-6
DTXSID
DTXSID2024115
Molecular Formula
CH2O2
InChI Key
BDAGIHXWWSANSR-UHFFFAOYSA-N
Monoisotopic Mass
46.005479
Synonyms
EINECS 200-579-1FEMA No. 2487RCRA waste number U123EPA Pesticide Chemical Code 214900Spirit of formic acidKwas metaniowyKyselina mravenciMierenzuurUNII-0YIW783RG1Formicum acidumAdd-FAmeisensaeure

GHS / CLP Classification

EU harmonized hazard classification, hazard statements, pictograms, and signal word.

SOURCE EU CLP Annex VI (ECHA) 1 classifications
Hazard ClassH-StatementsPictogramsSignal
Flam. Liq. 3; Met. Corr. 1; Acute Tox. 3; Acute Tox. 4; Skin Corr. 1A; Eye Dam. 1H226; H290; H331; H302; H314; H318GHS02; GHS05; GHS06Danger

ICSC Chemical Safety

International Chemical Safety Card hazard and exposure summary.

SOURCE ILO/WHO International Chemical Safety Cards 1 records
FieldValue
GHS Signal WordDANGER
GHS Hazard StatementsFlammable liquid and vapour Toxic if inhaled Harmful if swallowed Causes severe skin burns and eye damage Harmful to aquatic life
Short-term EffectsThe substance is very corrosive to the eyes, skin and respiratory tract. Corrosive on ingestion. Inhalation of the vapour may cause lung oedema. See Notes.
Routes of ExposureThe substance can be absorbed into the body by inhalation of its vapour, through the skin and by ingestion.

OSHA Exposure Limits

Occupational exposure limits from OSHA, NIOSH, and ACGIH rows.

SOURCE OSHA / NIOSH / ACGIH occupational exposure limits 10 records
AgencyMetricValueppmmg/m3Skin
OSHATWA5 ppm (9 mg/m³)59N
NIOSHTWA5 ppm (9 mg/m³)59N
ACGIHTWA5 ppm [1965]5-N
ACGIHSTEL10 ppm [1965]10-N
CAL/OSHATWA5 ppm (9 mg/m³)59N
CAL/OSHASTEL10 ppm (19 mg/m³)1019N
NIOSHIDLH30 ppm30--
AIHAERPG-13 ppm3--
AIHAERPG-225 ppm25--
AIHAERPG-3250 ppm250--

Functional Uses

Industrial and product-use categories associated with this substance.

SOURCE EPA CPDat 47 records
pH regulating agentPreservativeChelating agentFragranceFlavouring and nutrientCorrosion inhibitorAdhesion/cohesion promoterProcessing aids not otherwise specifiedAntioxidant

Regulatory Lists

Inventory, screening, and regulatory list matches from public chemical databases.

SOURCE EPA CPDat 31 records
ListKeywordSource
drinking_water; Europe; manufacturing; plastic_additiveBelgaquaCPCat
active_ingredient; PesticidesState of CaliforniaState of California
active_ingredient; PesticidesState of CaliforniaState of California
active_ingredient; PesticidesState of CaliforniaState of California
active_ingredient; PesticidesState of CaliforniaState of California
active_ingredient; PesticidesState of CaliforniaState of California
active_ingredient; PesticidesState of CaliforniaState of California
active_ingredient; PesticidesCalifornia Department of Pesticide RegulationState of California
active_ingredient; Europe; PesticidesEuropean CommissionCPCat
Canada; consumer_product; Substances in Products - Canada (4/2014)Government of CanadaCPCat
inert_ingredient; non_food_use; PesticidesEPACPCat
Europe; Personal care - body hygiene - hand soapDanish Environmental Protection AgencyDanish EPA
active_ingredient; Europe; PesticidesCommission of the European CommunitiesCPCat
consumer_product; EuropeDanish Environmental Protection AgencyDanish EPA
active_ingredient; PesticidesMN Department of Agriculture Pesticide Sales DatabaseCPCat
active_ingredient; PesticidesMN Department of Agriculture Pesticide Sales DatabaseCPCat
active_ingredient; PesticidesMN Department of Agriculture Pesticide Sales DatabaseCPCat
active_ingredient; PesticidesMN Department of Agriculture Pesticide Sales DatabaseCPCat
active_ingredient; PesticidesMN Department of Agriculture Pesticide Sales DatabaseCPCat
active_ingredient; animal_products; Europe; pharmaceutical; residueEUCPCat
IFRA TransparencyIFRAIFRA
EuropeEuropean CommissionFl@vis
frackingFracFocusFracFocus
food_additive; Substances Added to Food (formerly EAFUS) (2/2019)FDAUnited States Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
SCIL (9/2019)USEPASafer Chemical Ingredients List
Canada; pharmaceuticalDrugBankDrugBank
Canada; pharmaceuticalDrugBankDrugBank
consumer_productP&GProctor & Gamble
Cleaning products and household care - general household cleaning; Cleaning products and household care - laundry and fabric treatment; Personal care - general moisturizingP&GProctor & Gamble
Cleaning products and household care - dishwasher and dishes - automatic dishwashing detergent; EuropeDanish EPADanish EPA
fracking; waterNY Department of ConservationCPCat

NOAEL Studies

Toxicology endpoints rendered from public NOAEL study rows.

SOURCE NOAEL studies Showing 50 of 62 studies
ValueUnitEndpointRouteSpeciesSource
range:0-0.10.1mg/kg bw/dayADI--INCHEM_WHO_jecfa_jecmono_v040je10
range:0-0.10.1mg/kg bw/dayADI--INCHEM_WHO_jecfa_jecmono_v040je10
<=3mg/kgADIoralHumanToxValDB_WHO_JECFA_ADI
range:0-33mg/kg bw/dayADI--INCHEM_WHO_jecfa_jecmono_v040je10
range:0-33mg/kg bw/dayADI--INCHEM_WHO_jecfa_jecmono_v040je10
=0.3mg/kg bwADI (group)-ConsumersEFSA_OpenFoodTox_EFSA_ReferenceValues.xlsx
=0.3mg/kg bwADI (group)-ConsumersEFSA_OpenFoodTox_EFSA_ReferenceValues.xlsx
6.5minBreakthrough TimeDermal-NTP_ICE_skin_irritation
15.7minBreakthrough TimeDermal-NTP_ICE_skin_irritation
18.5minBreakthrough TimeDermal-NTP_ICE_skin_irritation
=9.5mg/m3DNEL localinhalationHumanToxValDB_GESTIS_DNEL
0YIW783RG1UNIIFDA UNII substance identifier--openFDA substances
0YIW783RG1UNIIFDA UNII substance identifier--openFDA substances
0YIW783RG1UNIIFDA UNII substance identifier--openFDA substances
0YIW783RG1UNIIFDA UNII substance identifier--openFDA substances
7.4mg/LLC50Inhalation-NTP_ICE_acute_inhalation
7.85mg/LLC50Inhalation-NTP_ICE_acute_inhalation
15mg/LLC50Inhalation-NTP_ICE_acute_inhalation
=1100mg/kg bwLD50oralRatNTP_ICE_acute_oral
=338836mg/m3LELinhalationHumanToxValDB_DOE_Protective_Action_Criteria
=0.12mg/LLOAELinhalationMouseToxValDB_HPVIS
=2.7mg/m3LOAEL (HEC)inhalationRatToxValDB_PPRTV_(CPHEA)
=0.06mg/LNOAELinhalationRatToxValDB_HPVIS
=120.475mg/m3NOAELinhalationRatToxValDB_HPVIS
=277mg/kg bw/dayNOAELoralRatToxValDB_PPRTV_(CPHEA)
=577mg/kg bw/dayNOAEL--INCHEM_WHO_jecfa_jecmono_v040je10
=577mg/kg bw/dayNOAEL--INCHEM_WHO_jecfa_jecmono_v040je10
range:230-695695mg/kg bw/dayNOAEL--INCHEM_WHO_jecfa_jecmono_v040je10
range:230-695695mg/kg bw/dayNOAEL--INCHEM_WHO_jecfa_jecmono_v040je10
=807mg/kg bw/dayNOAEL--INCHEM_WHO_jecfa_jecmono_v040je10
=807mg/kg bw/dayNOAEL--INCHEM_WHO_jecfa_jecmono_v040je10
=945mg/kg body weightNOAELoralrabbitCIR_vision_codex
=945mg/kg body weightNOAELoralrabbitCIR_vision_codex
=945mg/kg body weightNOAELoralrabbitCIR_vision_codex
=945mg/kg body weightNOAELoralrabbitCIR_vision_codex
1000mg/kg bw/dayNOAELoralratCOSMOS_DB
=1000mg/kg body weight/dayNOAEL-ratCIR_vision_codex
=1000mg/kg body weight/dayNOAEL-ratCIR_vision_codex
=1000mg/kg body weight/dayNOAEL-ratCIR_vision_codex
=1000mg/kg body weight/dayNOAEL-ratCIR_vision_codex
=50mg/kg bw/dayNOELoralRabbitINCHEM_WHO_jecfa_jecmono_v040je10
=50mg/kg bw/dayNOELoralRabbitINCHEM_WHO_jecfa_jecmono_v040je10
=60mg/kg bw/dayNOEL--INCHEM_WHO_jecfa_jecmono_v040je10
=60mg/kg bw/dayNOEL--INCHEM_WHO_jecfa_jecmono_v040je10
=125mg/kg bw/dayNOELoralRatINCHEM_WHO_jecfa_jecmono_v040je10
=125mg/kg bw/dayNOELoralRatINCHEM_WHO_jecfa_jecmono_v040je10
=0.0003mg/m3RfCinhalationHumanToxValDB_Pennsylvania_DEP_ToxValues
=0.0009mg/m3RfC (provisional)inhalationHumanToxValDB_PPRTV_(CPHEA)
=0.9mg/kg bw/dayRfDoralHumanToxValDB_Pennsylvania_DEP_ToxValues
1.8kiloohmsTERDermal-NTP_ICE_skin_irritation

Showing 50 of 62 studies

REACH Registration

Registration status from the ECHA REACH registered substances database.

SOURCE ECHA (EU) 1 records
StatusNameEC NumberLink
RegisteredFormic acid200-579-1ECHA overview →

EPA Toxic Release Inventory (TRI)

TRI hazard and reporting flags for the matched chemical.

SOURCE EPA Toxics Release Inventory (TRI) chemical list 1 records
ChemicalCategoryFlags
Formic acid--

Cosmetic Safety Profile

Same-CAS cosmetic ingredient record for cross-vertical context.

SOURCE CosIng / Ingredients DB
EU Status
restricted
Max
0.5%
Category
Preservative
View full cosmetic safety profile →

Pharmaceutical Data

Same-CAS pharmaceutical records from drug and bioactivity sources.

SOURCE EMBL-EBI ChEMBL FORMIC ACID
ChEMBL Phase
Not listed
Adverse Events
0
Bioactivity
0
View full pharmaceutical profile →

Food Safety Data

Same-CAS food additive, ADI, and GRAS records where available.

SOURCE EFSA / FDA GRAS 1 records

E236 — ADI: 3 mg/kg bw

View full food safety profile →

Cannabis Data

Same-CAS cannabis compliance and lab records where available.

SOURCE Cannabis regulatory / lab data efsa substances

1 cannabis record found in efsa substances.

View full cannabis profile →

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the GHS hazard classification for Formic acid?

Formic acid (CAS 64-18-6) is classified under EU CLP Annex VI as Flam. Liq. 3; Met. Corr. 1; Acute Tox. 3; Acute Tox. 4; Skin Corr. 1A; Eye Dam. 1 with signal word Danger. Hazard statements: H226; H290; H331; H302; H314; H318. Source: EU CLP Annex VI (ECHA).

What is the NOAEL for Formic acid?

Formic acid has 62 NOAEL studies in the database. The lowest reported value is 0.0003 mg/m3 via inhalation in Human. Source: ToxValDB_Pennsylvania_DEP_ToxValues.

What regulatory lists include Formic acid?

Formic acid appears on 18 regulatory/inventory lists including drinking_water; Europe; manufacturing; plastic_additive, active_ingredient; Pesticides, active_ingredient; Europe; Pesticides, and 15 more. Source: EPA CPDat.

What are the occupational exposure limits for Formic acid?

Occupational exposure limits for Formic acid are set by OSHA, NIOSH, ACGIH. 10 limit values from official agencies are documented in the database. Source: OSHA, NIOSH, ACGIH.

Is Formic acid used in cosmetics?

Yes, Formic acid is also indexed as a cosmetic ingredient under the name Formic Acid. View the full cosmetic safety profile on the ingredient page for detailed safety data, SCCS opinions, and regulatory status.

Where does the safety data for Formic acid come from?

Safety data is sourced from ECHA CLP Annex VI, EPA ToxValDB, EPA CPDat, EPA DSSTox, ECHA REACH, ILO/WHO ICSC, OSHA/NIOSH/ACGIH, EPA Toxics Release Inventory, CosIng / Ingredients DB, ChEMBL / DailyMed, EFSA / FDA GRAS, cannabis regulatory/lab databases. All data traces to primary regulatory sources and is updated from official government databases.

Does Formic acid have different safety status in cosmetics vs industrial chemicals?

Formic acid is classified GHS Danger (H226, H290, H331, H302, H314, H318) in the chemicals database but is restricted in EU cosmetics at max 0.5%.

Is Formic acid used outside industrial chemicals?

Formic acid also appears in cosmetics, pharmaceutical, food safety, cannabis databases.