Also known as: 2,2'-Methylene-bis (4-chlorophenol), Anthiphen, Antifen, Antiphen, Bis(chlorohydroxyphenyl)methane (+15 more)
INCI: DICHLOROPHENE
Dichlorophene (CAS 97-23-4) is a cosmetic cosmetic ingredient functioning as Preservative, antimicrobial. Reported NOAEL =1 mg/kg/day in rabbit (CIR Safety Assessment); EU Regulation 1223/2009 status: prohibited, max 0.5%; 5 safety opinions reviewed (CIR Safety Assessment). 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
Dichlorophene is prohibited in EU cosmetics at max 0.5% but has active industrial GHS classifications (H302, H317, H318, H400, H410, H319, H226, H315).
US NotesPermitted with CIR review. CIR Safety Assessment published; Int. J. Toxicol. 2004
For full compliance data across multiple jurisdictions, use the
Substance Compliance tool.
Safety Data
Margin of Safety, dermal absorption, and sensitization profile summaries for Dichlorophene.
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Toxicological Studies
10 study endpoints found for Dichlorophene. 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
=1 mg/kg/day
dermal
rabbit
NOAEL study
CIR Safety Assessment
NOAEL
=1 mg/kg/day
dermal
rabbit
NOAEL study
CIR Safety Assessment
NOAEL
=1 mg/kg/day
dermal
rabbit
NOAEL study
CIR Safety Assessment
NOAEL
=1 mg/kg/day
dermal
rabbit
NOAEL study
CIR Safety Assessment
NOAEL
=25 mg/kg/day
dermal
rabbit
NOAEL study
CIR Safety Assessment
NOAEL
=25 mg/kg/day
dermal
rabbit
NOAEL study
CIR Safety Assessment
NOAEL
=25 mg/kg/day
dermal
rabbit
NOAEL study
CIR Safety Assessment
NOAEL
=25 mg/kg/day
dermal
rabbit
NOAEL study
CIR Safety Assessment
NOAEL
=30 mg/kg/day
-
rat
developmental toxicity
CIR Safety Assessment
NOAEL
=30 mg/kg/day
-
rat
developmental toxicity
CIR Safety Assessment
Safety Opinions
Official safety assessments from the Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety (SCCS) and Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR).
CIR Safety Assessment18 July 2003
Verdict: unknown
NOAEL: 120 mg/kg/day (oral)
CIR Safety Assessment18 July 2003
Verdict: unknown
NOAEL: 100 mg/kg/day (oral)
CIR Safety Assessment18 July 2003
Verdict: unknown
NOAEL: 900 mg/kg/day (oral)
CIR Safety Assessment18 July 2003
Verdict: unknown
NOAEL: 100 mg/kg/day (not specified)
CIR Safety Assessment18 July 2003
Verdict: unknown
NOAEL: 25 mg/kg/day (dermal)
EU CLP Annex VI Harmonized Classification
Legally binding harmonized classification per Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008 (CLP) Annex VI.
H410Very toxic to aquatic life with long lasting effects
Inserted via ATP: CLP00
Sensitization AOP Dashboard
Adverse Outcome Pathway data across 5 assays (DPRA, KeratinoSens, hCLAT, LLNA, NESIL) aggregated from public sources.
NESIL
3488 µg/cm²
GHS: 1BHuman: positive
Source: HPPT: [28] Jordan Jr WP and King SE (1977): https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1600-0536.1977.tb03582.x
HRIPT Human Patch Test Studies
3 human repeat insult patch tests aggregated from dermatological literature.
Test Type
N
Sensitized
Dose µg/cm²
NESIL µg/cm²
Potency
HRIPT
-
0
5625
-
-
HRIPT
-
0
3487.51
-
-
HRIPT
-
0
13950.03
-
-
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.
SA Saudi SFDA (III - Restricted)
Max: 0.005.
JPKR Japan/Korea Cosmetics
Japan (Prohibited): Must not be used
BRIN Brazil/India Cosmetics
India: Restricted · max 0.005
Additional Jurisdictional Restrictions (4)
Jurisdiction
Status
Max %
Product Type
JP
banned
-
All cosmetics
BR
restricted
0.5
-
ASEAN
restricted
0.5%
All products
KR
prohibited
-
-
PubChem Annotations
Safety and regulatory annotations from PubChem (NCBI) aggregated sources.
Indirect additives food contact (10/2018)active_ingredient; Europe; Pesticidesactive_ingredient; Australiapharmaceuticalactive_ingredient; Europe; Pesticidesactive_ingredient; Pesticidesactive_ingredient; PesticidesEurope; Personal care; restrictedEurope; nondetect; Other direct contact consumer goodsCanada; pharmaceuticalinert_ingredient; non_food_use; PesticidesOEHHA Proposition 65 (3/2019)OEHHA Proposition 65 (1/2023)
Australian Status
AICIS status:listed
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Dichlorophene safe in cosmetics?
Dichlorophene has a safety rating of "POOR" in our database. EU status: prohibited. US status: permitted. 10 toxicological study endpoint(s) are available in our database. This ingredient has been reviewed by CIR Safety Assessment.
Is Dichlorophene allowed in the EU?
Dichlorophene EU regulatory status: prohibited. Maximum allowed concentration: 0.5%. This is based on EU Regulation 1223/2009 and its amendments.
What does Dichlorophene do in cosmetics?
Dichlorophene functions as: Preservative, antimicrobial. It is classified as a cosmetic ingredient in our database. CAS number: 97-23-4.
What is the NOAEL for Dichlorophene?
The NOAEL (No Observed Adverse Effect Level) for Dichlorophene is =1 mg/kg/day based on a NOAEL study study via dermal route in rabbit. A total of 10 study endpoints are available. Source: CIR Safety Assessment.
Is Dichlorophene used outside cosmetics?
Dichlorophene also appears in industrial chemical safety data. The cross-vertical cards on this page render same-CAS public rows from the matched databases.
Does Dichlorophene have different safety status in cosmetics vs industrial chemicals?
Dichlorophene is prohibited in EU cosmetics at max 0.5% but has active industrial GHS classifications (H302, H317, H318, H400, H410, H319, H226, H315).
Compliance Tools
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