Is CETETH-2 safe in cosmetics?
CETETH-2 has a safety rating of "GOOD" in our database. EU status: permitted. US status: restricted. 1 toxicological study endpoint(s) are available in our database.
CETETH-2
Also known as: Hexadecylpoly(ethyleneoxy)ethanol, Oxyethylenated hexadecyl alcohol, Polyethylene glycol cetyl ether, Poly(oxy-1,2-ethanediyl), alpha-hexadecyl-omega-hydroxy-, Cetomacrogol (+14 more)
CETETH-2 (CAS 9004-95-9) is a cosmetic cosmetic ingredient functioning as Surfactant - Emulsifying. Reported NOAEL =300 mg/kg bw/day in Rat (ECHA); EU Regulation 1223/2009 status: permitted. Industrial safety data is also available in the chemical safety database. Same-CAS public records also appear in industrial chemical safety data.
Cross-Vertical Regulatory Divergence
CETETH-2 is classified GHS Danger (H315, H302, H318) in the chemicals database but is allowed in EU cosmetics.
Source: Cosmetics: ingredients.eu status; Chemicals: ghs classifications.signal word/hazard statement code
Function
Surfactant - Emulsifying
Editorial assessment
GOOD
Preliminary editorial note — not a computed safety verdict.
Chemistry & Identifiers
IUPAC Name
2-[2-[2-[2-[2-[2-[2-[2-[2-[2-[2-[2-[2-[2-[2-[2-[2-[2-[2-(2-hexadecoxyethoxy)ethoxy]ethoxy]ethoxy]ethoxy]ethoxy]ethoxy]ethoxy]ethoxy]ethoxy]ethoxy]ethoxy]ethoxy]ethoxy]ethoxy]ethoxy]ethoxy]ethoxy]ethoxy]ethanol
InChIKey
NLMKTBGFQGKQEV-UHFFFAOYSA-N
Regulatory Status
EU EU Status
permitted
US US Status
restricted
US Notes
CIR: SQ - IJT 18(S2):1-8, 1999
For full compliance data across multiple jurisdictions, use the Substance Compliance tool.
Toxicological Studies
1 study endpoint found for CETETH-2. 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 | =300 mg/kg bw/day | oral | Rat | reproduction developmental | ECHA |
ECHA REACH Registration
European Chemicals Agency REACH dossier and Substances of Very High Concern listing.
Registration Type
Full
Tonnage Band
100 - 1,000 tonnes
Substance Type
SUBSTANCE
SVHC Candidate
No
Function Categories & List Membership
Cosmetic/Chemical Function Categories
Cleaning agent
Emulsifier
Surfactant (surface active agent)
Wetting agent (non-aqueous)
Regulatory List Membership (2)
EPA Safer Chemical Ingredients List (SCIL)
FDA Indirect Food Contact Additives
Editorial summary
Preliminary editorial summary for CETETH-2 — not a computed safety verdict. See the sourced toxicological data above.
Regulatory Flags
cosing-sourced
eu-permitted
surfactant
needs-enrichment
epa_safer_alternative
NOAEL Studies Summary
View details ->Public NOAEL study rows linked to CETETH-2 by CAS number or substance name.
Studies
1
Lowest NOAEL
300 mg/kg bw/day
Highest NOAEL
300 mg/kg bw/day
ECHA
Known Synonyms
Hexadecylpoly(ethyleneoxy)ethanol
Oxyethylenated hexadecyl alcohol
Polyethylene glycol cetyl ether
Poly(oxy-1,2-ethanediyl), alpha-hexadecyl-omega-hydroxy-
Cetomacrogol
Poly(oxy-1,2-ethanediyl), .alpha.-hexadecyl-.omega.-hydroxy-
Cetyl poly(oxyethylene) ether
Ethosperse CL20
Hexadecylpoly(ethyleneoxy) ethanol
Polyethylene glycols monohexadecyl ether
Poly(oxyethylene)cetyl ether
Poly(oxyethylene)hexadecyl ether
Poly(oxyethylene)monocetyl ether
Poly(oxyethylene)palmityl ether
alpha-Hexadecyl-omega-hydroxy-poly(oxy-1,2-ethanediyl)
alpha-Hydroxy-omega-cetylpoly(ethylene oxide)
Cetomacrogolum 1000
UNII-I835H2IHHX
UNII-LF9X1PN3XJ
Chemical Function
Surfactant (surface active agent)
Regulatory Lists
Europe; Personal care - liniment
pharmaceutical
SCIL (9/2019)
Indirect additives food contact (10/2018)
inert_ingredient; Pesticides
inert_ingredient; non_food_use; Pesticides
Australian Status
AICIS status: listed
Frequently Asked Questions
Is CETETH-2 allowed in the EU?
CETETH-2 EU regulatory status: permitted. This is based on EU Regulation 1223/2009 and its amendments.
What does CETETH-2 do in cosmetics?
CETETH-2 functions as: Surfactant - Emulsifying. It is classified as a cosmetic ingredient in our database. CAS number: 9004-95-9.
What is the NOAEL for CETETH-2?
The NOAEL (No Observed Adverse Effect Level) for CETETH-2 is =300 mg/kg bw/day based on a reproduction developmental study via oral route in Rat. Source: ECHA.
Is CETETH-2 used outside cosmetics?
CETETH-2 also appears in industrial chemical safety data. The cross-vertical cards on this page render same-CAS public rows from the matched databases.
Does CETETH-2 have different safety status in cosmetics vs industrial chemicals?
CETETH-2 is classified GHS Danger (H315, H302, H318) in the chemicals database but is allowed in EU cosmetics.
Compliance Tools
Check CETETH-2 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
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