Is Chloroacetic Acid safe in cosmetics?
Chloroacetic Acid has a safety rating of "POOR" in our database. EU status: prohibited. US status: prohibited. 5 toxicological study endpoint(s) are available in our database.
Chloroacetic Acid
Also known as: Monochloroacetic acid, UN 1750 (DOT), 2-Chloroacetic acid, α-Chloroacetic acid, UN 1751 (DOT) (+14 more)
INCI: CHLOROACETIC ACID
Chloroacetic Acid (CAS 79-11-8) is a cosmetic cosmetic ingredient functioning as Not a functional cosmetic ingredient (chemical intermediate). NOAEL 3.5 mg/kg bw/day (PDF-verified against ToxValDB ECHA IUCLID); EU Regulation 1223/2009 status: prohibited; GHS signal word DANGER. Industrial safety data is also available in the chemical safety database. Same-CAS public records also appear in pharmaceutical data.
View industrial chemical safety profile for CAS 79-11-8 →
Auto-generated CPSR Part A draft with source citations
Function
Not a functional cosmetic ingredient (chemical intermediate)
Safety Rating
POOR
Chemistry & Identifiers
IUPAC Name
2-chloroacetic acid
InChIKey
FOCAUTSVDIKZOP-UHFFFAOYSA-N
Regulatory Status
EU EU Status
prohibited
US US Status
prohibited
US Notes
Not permitted for cosmetic use; classified as acutely toxic (EPA)
For full compliance data across multiple jurisdictions, use the Substance Compliance tool.
Safety Data
Margin of Safety, dermal absorption, and sensitization profile summaries for Chloroacetic Acid.
Calculate MoS for your specific formulation with the MoS Calculator.
Toxicological Studies
5 study endpoints found for Chloroacetic Acid. 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 | =3.5 mg/kg bw/day | oral | Rat | chronic | ToxValDB_ECHA_IUCLID |
| NOAEL | =15 mg/kg bw/day | oral | Rat | chronic | ToxValDB_ECHA_IUCLID |
| NOAEL | =50 mg/kg bw/day | oral | Mouse | chronic | ToxValDB_ECHA_IUCLID |
| NOAEL | =120 mg/kg bw/day | oral | Mouse | short-term | ToxValDB_ECHA_IUCLID |
| NOAEL | =193 mg/kg bw/day | oral | Rat | reproduction developmental | ToxValDB_ECHA_IUCLID |
GHS Hazard Classification
Globally Harmonized System classification per ECHA C&L inventory and ILO/WHO International Chemical Safety Cards.
Signal Word
DANGER
Pictograms
SkullToxicCorrCancerHealth hazEnviroAqua
Hazard Statements
May be osive to metals Toxic if swallowed or in contact with skin Causes severe skin burns and eye damage May cause respiratory irritation Causes damage to organs Very toxic to aquatic life
Short-term Exposure Effects
The substance is corrosive to the eyes, skin and respiratory tract. Inhalation of high concentrations may cause lung oedema, but only after initial corrosive effects on the eyes and the upper respiratory tract have become manifest. See Notes. The substance may cause effects on the metabolism. This may result in metabolic acidosis and multiple organ failure. Exposure could cause death. The effects may be delayed. Medical observation is indicated.
Long-term Exposure Effects
Repeated or prolonged inhalation may cause effects on the lungs.
Routes of Exposure
The substance can be absorbed into the body by inhalation, through the skin and by ingestion.
Pre-Calculated Safety Assessment
Pre-calculated NOAEL → SED → MoS audit trail for Chloroacetic Acid across SCCS product categories, with measured dermal absorption where available.
EU CLP Annex VI Harmonized Classification
Legally binding harmonized classification per Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008 (CLP) Annex VI.
Signal Word
Danger
Pictograms
Acute ToxicityCorrosiveEnvironmental Hazard
Hazard Class and Category
Acute Tox. 3 *; Acute Tox. 3 *; Acute Tox. 3 *; Skin Corr. 1B; Aquatic Acute 1
Hazard Statements
- H331 Toxic if inhaled
- H311 Toxic in contact with skin
- H301 Toxic if swallowed
- H314 Causes severe skin burns and eye damage
- H400 Very toxic to aquatic life
Specific Concentration Limits / M-factors
STOT SE 3; H335: C ≥ 5.0%
Inserted via ATP: ATP01
ECHA REACH Registration
European Chemicals Agency REACH dossier and Substances of Very High Concern listing.
Registration Type
Full
Tonnage Band
100,000 - 1,000,000 tonnes
Substance Type
SUBSTANCE
SVHC Candidate
No
Hazard classification: Restricted (Annex XVII)
PubChem Annotations
Safety and regulatory annotations from PubChem (NCBI) aggregated sources.
Safety (4)
Carcinogen Classification
Monochloroacetic Acid | TR-396: Toxicology and Carcinogenesis Studies of Monochloroacetic Acid (CASRN 79-11-8) in F344/N Rats and B6C3F1 Mice (Gavage Studies) (1992 ) | 11/20/90 | No Evidence | No Evidence | No Evidence | No Evidence | Under the conditions of these 2-year gavage studies, there was no evidence of carcinogenic activity for monochloroacetic acid in male or female F344/N rats
Source: NTP Technical Reports
Evidence for Carcinogenicity
A4: Not classifiable as a human carcinogen.
Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
ICSC Safety Card
0235
Source: ILO-WHO International Chemical Safety Cards (ICSCs)
Skin Eye Respiratory Irritation
Threshold for respiratory (sensory) irritation in humans is 5.7 mg/cu m. | Irritating to skin, mucous membranes. | Irritating to skin, eyes, and respiratory system.
Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
Function Categories & List Membership
Cosmetic/Chemical Function Categories
Biocide
Pharmaceutical
Regulatory List Membership (1)
FDA Substances Added to Food (EAFUS)
Expert Verdict
Expert safety assessment and concern-level summary for Chloroacetic Acid.
Regulatory Flags
fda_food_additive
NOAEL Studies Summary
View details ->Public NOAEL study rows linked to Chloroacetic Acid by CAS number or substance name.
Studies
20
Lowest NOAEL
3.5 mg/kg bw/day
Highest NOAEL
193 mg/kg bw/day
ToxValDB_ECHA_IUCLID
ECHA_REACH_reach_study_results_dossiers_23-05-2023.zip
Known Synonyms
Monochloroacetic acid
UN 1750 (DOT)
2-Chloroacetic acid
α-Chloroacetic acid
UN 1751 (DOT)
EC No.: 201-178-4
4-02-00-00474
BRN 0605438
Caswell No. 179B
EINECS 201-178-4
EPA Pesticide Chemical Code 279400
Monochloracetic acid
NCI-C60231
Acidomonocloroacetico
Kyselina chloroctova
Monochloorazijnzuur
UNII-5GD84Y125G
2-chloro-acetic acid
2-chloro-ethanoic acid
Chemical Function
Pharmaceutical
Biocide
Regulatory Lists
active_ingredient; Europe; Pesticides
inert_ingredient; non_food_use; Pesticides
food_additive; Substances Added to Food (formerly EAFUS) (2/2019)
Cross-Vertical Safety Context
Same-CAS public records found in pharmaceutical data.
SOURCE
ChEMBL / DrugCentral / FAERS
DB_PHARMA CAS match
Pharmaceutical Data
Same-CAS rows from the pharmaceutical spoke database.
Compound
CHLOROACETIC ACID
ChEMBL ID
CHEMBL14090
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Chloroacetic Acid allowed in the EU?
Chloroacetic Acid EU regulatory status: prohibited. This is based on EU Regulation 1223/2009 and its amendments.
What does Chloroacetic Acid do in cosmetics?
Chloroacetic Acid functions as: Not a functional cosmetic ingredient (chemical intermediate). It is classified as a cosmetic ingredient in our database. CAS number: 79-11-8.
What is the NOAEL for Chloroacetic Acid?
The NOAEL (No Observed Adverse Effect Level) for Chloroacetic Acid is =3.5 mg/kg bw/day based on a chronic study via oral route in Rat. A total of 5 study endpoints are available. Source: ToxValDB_ECHA_IUCLID.
Is Chloroacetic Acid classified as hazardous under GHS?
Chloroacetic Acid carries a GHS signal word of "DANGER". Hazard statements: May be osive to metals Toxic if swallowed or in contact with skin Causes severe skin burns and eye damage May cause respiratory irritation Causes damage to organs Very toxic to aquatic life. This classification is based on the ILO/WHO International Chemical Safety Card and ECHA C&L inventory data. Note: GHS classification applies to the pure substance — at cosmetic use concentrations, hazard thresholds may not be met.
Is Chloroacetic Acid used outside cosmetics?
Chloroacetic Acid also appears in pharmaceutical data. The cross-vertical cards on this page render same-CAS public rows from the matched databases.
Compliance Tools
Check Chloroacetic Acid compliance across multiple jurisdictions:
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Substance Compliance
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MoS Calculator
Calculate Margin of Safety using SCCS methodology
Heavy Metal Limits
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Chemical family
Fragrance (perfuming)
ACRYLAMIDE
Moderate
Chemical family
Not Reported
ACRYLIC ACID
Good
Chemical family
Nail Conditioning
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