Poor Cosmetic Ingredient GHS Classified

Epichlorohydrin

INCI: EPICHLOROHYDRIN

CAS Number
106-89-8
Function
Cross-linking agent / industrial intermediate (not a cosmetic active; may appear as a residual impurity in crosslinked polymers)
Safety Rating
POOR

Regulatory Status

🇪🇺 EU Status prohibited
🇺🇸 US Status prohibited
US Notes Not explicitly listed in 21 CFR 700 prohibited list, but classified IARC Group 2A (probably carcinogenic); would fail any CPSR-grade safety assessment for intentional use

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

Safety Data

Margin of Safety (MoS)
not established
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
flam;flame; skull;toxic; corr; cancer;health haz
Hazard Statements
Flammable liquid and vapour Toxic if swallowed, in contact with skin or if inhaled Causes severe skin burns and eye damage May cause an allergic skin reaction May cause genetic defects May cause cancer
Short-term Exposure Effects
The substance is corrosive to the eyes, skin and respiratory tract. Corrosive on ingestion. Inhalation of the vapour may cause lung oedema. The effects may be delayed. Medical observation is indicated. See Notes. Inhalation of the vapour may cause asthma-like reactions. The substance may cause effects on the central nervous system, kidneys and liver. This may result in convulsions, kidney impairment and liver impairment. Exposure at high levels could cause death.
Long-term Exposure Effects
Repeated or prolonged contact may cause skin sensitization. The substance may have effects on the kidneys, liver and lungs. This may result in impaired functions. May cause heritable genetic damage to human germ cells. This substance is probably carcinogenic to humans.
Routes of Exposure
The substance can be absorbed into the body by inhalation, through the skin and by ingestion.

Expert Verdict

Carcinogen (1B), mutagen (Cat 2), severe eye and skin irritant, acute toxicity via all routes, genotoxic alkylating agent. Presence as trace impurity in polymers must be controlled to <1 ppm.

⚠️
Concern Level: High

Regulatory Flags

endocrine_disruptor prop65 eu_banned_cosmetics eu_cosing_listed

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Epichlorohydrin safe in cosmetics?

Carcinogen (1B), mutagen (Cat 2), severe eye and skin irritant, acute toxicity via all routes, genotoxic alkylating agent. Presence as trace impurity in polymers must be controlled to <1 ppm. The EU classifies Epichlorohydrin as "prohibited". Safety rating: POOR.

Is Epichlorohydrin allowed in the EU?

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

What does Epichlorohydrin do in cosmetics?

Epichlorohydrin functions as: Cross-linking agent / industrial intermediate (not a cosmetic active; may appear as a residual impurity in crosslinked polymers). It is classified as a cosmetic ingredient in our database. CAS number: 106-89-8.

What is the Margin of Safety for Epichlorohydrin?

not established 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 Epichlorohydrin classified as hazardous under GHS?

Epichlorohydrin carries a GHS signal word of "DANGER". Hazard statements: Flammable liquid and vapour Toxic if swallowed, in contact with skin or if inhaled Causes severe skin burns and eye damage May cause an allergic skin reaction May cause genetic defects May cause cancer. 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 Epichlorohydrin 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
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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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