Is Benzylhemiformal safe in cosmetics?
Benzylhemiformal has a safety rating of "MODERATE" in our database. EU status: restricted. US status: permitted.
Benzylhemiformal
Also known as: Methanol, (phenylmethoxy)-, Methanol, 1-(phenylmethoxy)-, Benzyl hemiformal, EINECS 238-588-8, UNII-XDK482748R
INCI: BENZYLHEMIFORMAL
Benzylhemiformal (CAS 14548-60-8) is a cosmetic cosmetic ingredient functioning as Preservative (formaldehyde releaser). EU Regulation 1223/2009 status: restricted, max 0.15%. Industrial safety data is also available in the chemical safety database.
View industrial chemical safety profile for CAS 14548-60-8 →
Function
Preservative (formaldehyde releaser)
Editorial assessment
MODERATE
Preliminary editorial note — not a computed safety verdict.
Regulatory Status
EU EU Status
restricted
EU Max Conc.
0.15%
US US Status
permitted
US Notes
Permitted; no specific concentration limit from FDA, but CIR has reviewed formaldehyde releasers collectively
For full compliance data across multiple jurisdictions, use the Substance Compliance tool.
Safety Data
Margin of Safety, dermal absorption, and sensitization profile summaries for Benzylhemiformal.
Calculate MoS for your specific formulation with the MoS Calculator.
Sensitization Profile
Contact sensitization data for Benzylhemiformal based on clinical patch test studies and IFRA standards.
Sensitization Rate
low
Allergen Class
preservative
EU Allergen Listed
no
Patch Test Positive Rate
0.3%
Cross-reactivity Group
formaldehyde-releaser-group
Reaction Type
contact-dermatitis
Source: FDA
EU CosIng Annex Listing
European Commission CosIng database Annex references per Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009.
Annex V — Permitted Preservatives
Product type: Rinse-off products
Max: 0.15%
Expanded Jurisdictional Detail
Additional regulatory detail beyond the 7-jurisdiction summary: Saudi SFDA, Korea MFDS, ASEAN ACD, Japan/Korea, Brazil/India, and cross-jurisdictional restriction entries.
KR Korea MFDS Annex 2 (Restricted)
Category: Preservative. Max: 0.15% (rinse-off only). Leave-on prohibited
SA Saudi SFDA (V - Preservatives)
Product type: Rinse-off products. Max: 0.0015.
BRIN Brazil/India Cosmetics
Brazil: Permitted Preservative · max 0,15%
India: Permitted Preservative · max 0.0015
Additional Jurisdictional Restrictions (3)
| Jurisdiction | Status | Max % | Product Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| IN | permitted_preservative | 0.15 | rinse-off products only |
| BR | permitted_preservative | 0.15 | Prohibited in leave-on products |
| ASEAN | permitted_preservative | 0.15% | Rinse-off products only |
Function Categories & List Membership
Cosmetic/Chemical Function Categories
Biocide
Preservative
Regulatory List Membership (2)
EU Regulated in Personal Care
EU CosIng Cosmetics Ingredient Database
Editorial summary
Preliminary editorial summary for Benzylhemiformal — not a computed safety verdict. See the sourced toxicological data above.
Regulatory Flags
preservative
eu_cosing_listed
Known Synonyms
Methanol, (phenylmethoxy)-
Methanol, 1-(phenylmethoxy)-
Benzyl hemiformal
EINECS 238-588-8
UNII-XDK482748R
Chemical Function
Preservative
Biocide
Regulatory Lists
active_ingredient; Europe; Pesticides
inert_ingredient; non_food_use; Pesticides
Europe; Personal care
Australian Status
AICIS status: listed
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Benzylhemiformal allowed in the EU?
Benzylhemiformal EU regulatory status: restricted. Maximum allowed concentration: 0.15%. This is based on EU Regulation 1223/2009 and its amendments.
What does Benzylhemiformal do in cosmetics?
Benzylhemiformal functions as: Preservative (formaldehyde releaser). It is classified as a cosmetic ingredient in our database. CAS number: 14548-60-8.
Compliance Tools
Check Benzylhemiformal compliance across multiple jurisdictions:
Ingredient Decoder
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82 Allergen Checker
Check for EU declarable fragrance allergens
Substance Compliance
Check compliance across multiple jurisdictions
MoS Calculator
Calculate Margin of Safety using SCCS methodology
Heavy Metal Limits
Compare limits across jurisdictions
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