Also known as: 3-tert-Butyl-4-hydroxyanisole, Phenol, 2-(1,1-dimethylethyl)-4-methoxy-, Phenol, 2-tert-butyl-4-methoxy-, BRN 1867499, Butylated hydroxyanisole I (+13 more)
INCI: 2-TERT-BUTYLHYDROQUINONE METHYL ETHER
2-Tert-Butylhydroquinone Methyl Ether (CAS 121-00-6) is a cosmetic cosmetic ingredient functioning as Fragrance; Fragrance Functional (excipient). NOAEL 50 mg/kg bw/day (cross-referenced against ToxValDB ECHA IUCLID); EU Regulation 1223/2009 status: restricted. Industrial safety data is also available in the chemical safety database. Same-CAS public records also appear in industrial chemical safety data.
Auto-generated CPSR Part A draft with source citations
Cross-Vertical Regulatory Divergence
2-Tert-Butylhydroquinone Methyl Ether is classified GHS CMR hazard (H315, H319, H351, H361, H411, H317, H371, H401) in the chemicals database but is restricted in EU cosmetics.
US NotesNot restricted by FDA for cosmetic use; also used as food antioxidant
For full compliance data across multiple jurisdictions, use the
Substance Compliance tool.
Safety Data
Margin of Safety, dermal absorption, and sensitization profile summaries for 2-Tert-Butylhydroquinone Methyl Ether.
Calculate MoS for your specific formulation with the
MoS Calculator.
Toxicological Studies
5 study endpoints found for 2-Tert-Butylhydroquinone Methyl Ether. NOAEL (No Observed Adverse Effect Level) values are used to calculate the Margin of Safety per SCCS methodology.
Endpoint
Value
Route
Species
Study Type
Source
NOAEL
=50 mg/kg bw/day
oral
Rat
short-term
ToxValDB_ECHA_IUCLID
NOAEL
=120 mg/kg bw/day
oral
Hamster
developmental
ToxValDB_ECHA_IUCLID
NOAEL
=200 mg/kg bw/day
oral
Rat
developmental
ToxValDB_ECHA_IUCLID
NOAEL
=225 mg/kg bw/day
oral
Mouse
reproduction developmental
ToxValDB_ECHA_IUCLID
NOAEL
=400 mg/kg bw/day
oral
Rabbit
reproduction developmental
ToxValDB_ECHA_IUCLID
Pre-Calculated Safety Assessment
Pre-calculated NOAEL → SED → MoS audit trail for 2-Tert-Butylhydroquinone Methyl Ether across SCCS product categories, with measured dermal absorption where available.
ECHA REACH Registration
European Chemicals Agency REACH dossier and Substances of Very High Concern listing.
Registration Type
Full
Tonnage Band
10 - 100 tonnes
Substance Type
SUBSTANCE
SVHC Candidate
No
PubChem Annotations
Safety and regulatory annotations from PubChem (NCBI) aggregated sources.
Safety (2)
Carcinogen Classification
Butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA) | Group 2B: Possibly carcinogenic to humans | Volume 40: (1986) Some Naturally Occurring and Synthetic Food Components, Furocoumarins and Ultraviolet Radiation | Volume Sup 7: Overall Evaluations of Carcinogenicity: An Updating of IARC Monographs Volumes 1 to 42, 1987; 440 pages; ISBN 92-832-1411-0 (out of print)
Source: International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC)
Evidence for Carcinogenicity
No data are available in humans. Sufficient evidence of carcinogenicity in animals. OVERALL EVALUATION: Group 2B: The agent is possibly carcinogenic to humans. | Butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA) is reasonably anticipated to be a human carcinogen based on sufficient evidence of carcinogenicity from studies in experimental animals.
IFRA Transparencydetected; drinking_water; MN Chemical ScreeningIndirect additives food contact (10/2018)Europe; Food contact itemsdrinking_water; Europe; soilchildren; EuropeEurope; nondetect; Other direct contact consumer goods; Toys and children's productsEurope; nondetect; Other direct contact consumer goods; Toys and children's products
Australian Status
AICIS status:listed
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 2-Tert-Butylhydroquinone Methyl Ether safe in cosmetics?
2-Tert-Butylhydroquinone Methyl Ether has a safety rating of "MODERATE" in our database. EU status: restricted. US status: permitted. 5 toxicological study endpoint(s) are available in our database.
Is 2-Tert-Butylhydroquinone Methyl Ether allowed in the EU?
2-Tert-Butylhydroquinone Methyl Ether EU regulatory status: restricted. This is based on EU Regulation 1223/2009 and its amendments.
What does 2-Tert-Butylhydroquinone Methyl Ether do in cosmetics?
2-Tert-Butylhydroquinone Methyl Ether functions as: Fragrance; Fragrance Functional (excipient). It is classified as a cosmetic ingredient in our database. CAS number: 121-00-6.
What is the NOAEL for 2-Tert-Butylhydroquinone Methyl Ether?
The NOAEL (No Observed Adverse Effect Level) for 2-Tert-Butylhydroquinone Methyl Ether is =50 mg/kg bw/day based on a short-term study via oral route in Rat. A total of 5 study endpoints are available. Source: ToxValDB_ECHA_IUCLID.
Is 2-Tert-Butylhydroquinone Methyl Ether used outside cosmetics?
2-Tert-Butylhydroquinone Methyl Ether also appears in industrial chemical safety data. The cross-vertical cards on this page render same-CAS public rows from the matched databases.
Does 2-Tert-Butylhydroquinone Methyl Ether have different safety status in cosmetics vs industrial chemicals?
2-Tert-Butylhydroquinone Methyl Ether is classified GHS CMR hazard (H315, H319, H351, H361, H411, H317, H371, H401) in the chemicals database but is restricted in EU cosmetics.
Compliance Tools
Check 2-Tert-Butylhydroquinone Methyl Ether compliance across multiple jurisdictions:
Is 2-Tert-Butylhydroquinone Methyl Ether in Your Products?
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