Poor Cosmetic Ingredient GHS Classified Sensitization Data

Cobalt Chloride

INCI: COBALT CHLORIDE

CAS Number
7646-79-9
Function
Historically used as colorant / cosmetic dye (blue)
Safety Rating
POOR

Regulatory Status

🇪🇺 EU Status prohibited
🇺🇸 US Status restricted
US Notes NTP: Reasonably anticipated to be a human carcinogen. FDA does not explicitly list it as a permitted cosmetic ingredient. OSHA/ACGIH OEL: 0.02 mg/m³ TWA. Use in cosmetics is effectively precluded by safety data.

For full compliance data across 55 jurisdictions, use the Substance Compliance tool.

Safety Data

Margin of Safety (MoS)
adequate
Dermal Absorption
high
Sensitization
high

Calculate MoS for your specific formulation with the MoS Calculator.

GHS Hazard Classification

Globally Harmonized System classification per ECHA C&L inventory and ILO/WHO International Chemical Safety Cards.

Signal Word
DANGER
Pictograms
excl mark;warn; cancer;health haz; enviro;aqua
Hazard Statements
Harmful if swallowed May be harmful in contact with skin Causes eye irritation May cause allergy or asthma symptoms or breathing difficulties if inhaled May cause an allergic skin reaction May cause cancer if inhaled Suspected of causing genetic defects May damage fertility or the unborn child May cause damage to thyroid, bone marrow and heart through prolonged or repeated exposure if swallowed Very toxic to aquatic life with long lasting effects
Short-term Exposure Effects
The substance is irritating to the eyes.
Long-term Exposure Effects
Repeated or prolonged contact may cause skin sensitization. Repeated or prolonged inhalation may cause asthma. Ingestion may cause effects on the heart, bone marrow and thyroid. This substance is possibly carcinogenic to humans. Animal tests show that this substance possibly causes toxic effects upon human reproduction.
Routes of Exposure
The substance can be absorbed into the body by inhalation and by ingestion.

Sensitization Profile

Contact sensitization data for Cobalt Chloride based on clinical patch test studies and IFRA standards.

Sensitization Rate
very-high
Allergen Class
metal
EU Allergen Listed
no
Patch Test Positive Rate
9.2%
Cross-reactivity Group
cobalt-group
Reaction Type
contact-dermatitis

Source: ESSCA 2019/20; NACDG 2021-22

Expert Verdict

DO NOT USE. CMR 1B carcinogen and reproductive toxicant. EU Annex II prohibited. SVHC Candidate List. Aquatic toxicity H400/H410. Serious eye damage H318. This ingredient must not appear in any cosmetic formulation.

⚠️
Concern Level: High

Regulatory Flags

colorant eu_banned_cosmetics fda_food_additive eu_cosing_listed

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Cobalt Chloride safe in cosmetics?

DO NOT USE. CMR 1B carcinogen and reproductive toxicant. EU Annex II prohibited. SVHC Candidate List. Aquatic toxicity H400/H410. Serious eye damage H318. This ingredient must not appear in any cosmetic formulation. The EU classifies Cobalt Chloride as "prohibited". Safety rating: POOR.

Is Cobalt Chloride allowed in the EU?

Cobalt Chloride EU regulatory status: prohibited. This is based on EU Regulation 1223/2009 and its amendments.

What does Cobalt Chloride do in cosmetics?

Cobalt Chloride functions as: Historically used as colorant / cosmetic dye (blue). It is classified as a cosmetic ingredient in our database. CAS number: 7646-79-9.

What is the Margin of Safety for Cobalt Chloride?

adequate The Margin of Safety (MoS) is calculated using SCCS methodology. A MoS above 100 is generally considered safe. Use the MoS Calculator tool to calculate MoS for your specific formulation and product category.

Is Cobalt Chloride classified as hazardous under GHS?

Cobalt Chloride carries a GHS signal word of "DANGER". Hazard statements: Harmful if swallowed May be harmful in contact with skin Causes eye irritation May cause allergy or asthma symptoms or breathing difficulties if inhaled May cause an allergic skin reaction May cause cancer if inhaled Suspected of causing genetic defects May damage fertility or the unborn child May cause damage to thyroid, bone marrow and heart through prolonged or repeated exposure if swallowed Very toxic to aquatic life with long lasting effects. 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.

Compliance Tools

Check Cobalt Chloride compliance across multiple jurisdictions:

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Ingredient Decoder
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82 Allergen Checker
Check for EU declarable fragrance allergens
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Substance Compliance
Check compliance across 55 jurisdictions
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MoS Calculator
Calculate Margin of Safety using SCCS methodology
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Heavy Metal Limits
Compare limits across jurisdictions

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