Poor Cosmetic Ingredient NOAEL Data GHS Classified

Ethoxyethanol (2-Ethoxyethanol)

INCI: ETHOXYETHANOL

CAS Number
110-80-5
Function
Solvent
Safety Rating
POOR

Regulatory Status

🇪🇺 EU Status prohibited
🇺🇸 US Status restricted
US Notes Not explicitly banned under 21 CFR for cosmetics, but OSHA PEL applies (200 ppm TWA). Under MoCRA, safety substantiation would almost certainly fail. NIOSH REL 0.5 ppm.

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

Safety Data

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

Calculate MoS for your specific formulation with the MoS Calculator.

Toxicological Studies

10 study endpoints found for Ethoxyethanol (2-Ethoxyethanol). 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 185.8 mg/kg bw/day oral rat Subchronic COSMOS_DB
NOAEL 185.8 mg/kg bw/day oral dog Subchronic COSMOS_DB
NOAEL 1890 mg/kg bw/day oral rat Subchronic COSMOS_DB
NOAEL 800 mg/kg bw/day oral mouse Developmental COSMOS_DB
NOAEL 1000 mg/kg bw/day oral mouse Developmental COSMOS_DB
NOAEL 500 mg/kg bw/day oral rat Short Term Toxicity COSMOS_DB
NOAEL 1000 mg/kg bw/day oral mouse Short Term Toxicity COSMOS_DB
NOAEL 3750 mg/kg bw/day oral mouse Short Term Toxicity COSMOS_DB
NOAEL 3605 mg/kg bw/day oral mouse Reproductive COSMOS_DB
NOAEL 1500 mg/kg bw/day oral mouse Reproductive COSMOS_DB

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; cancer;health haz
Hazard Statements
Flammable liquid and vapour May cause damage to central nervous system and blood May damage fertility or the unborn child
Short-term Exposure Effects
The substance is mildly irritating to the eyes and respiratory tract. The substance may cause effects on the central nervous system and blood. This may result in impaired functions and metabolic acidosis. The effects may be delayed. Medical observation is indicated.
Long-term Exposure Effects
The substance defats the skin, which may cause dryness or cracking. The substance may have effects on the blood and bone marrow. This may result in anaemia and lesions of blood cells. May cause toxicity to human reproduction or development.
Routes of Exposure
The substance can be absorbed into the body by inhalation, through the skin and by ingestion.

Expert Verdict

CMR substance (Repr. 1B). Causes damage to fertility and the unborn child via all routes including dermal. Metabolizes to ethoxyacetic acid (the proximate toxicant). Absolutely prohibited in EU cosmetics.

⚠️
Concern Level: High

Regulatory Flags

prop65 eu_banned_cosmetics fda_food_additive eu_cosing_listed

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Ethoxyethanol (2-Ethoxyethanol) safe in cosmetics?

CMR substance (Repr. 1B). Causes damage to fertility and the unborn child via all routes including dermal. Metabolizes to ethoxyacetic acid (the proximate toxicant). Absolutely prohibited in EU cosmetics. The EU classifies Ethoxyethanol (2-Ethoxyethanol) as "prohibited". Safety rating: POOR. 10 toxicological study endpoint(s) are available in our database.

Is Ethoxyethanol (2-Ethoxyethanol) allowed in the EU?

Ethoxyethanol (2-Ethoxyethanol) EU regulatory status: prohibited. This is based on EU Regulation 1223/2009 and its amendments.

What does Ethoxyethanol (2-Ethoxyethanol) do in cosmetics?

Ethoxyethanol (2-Ethoxyethanol) functions as: Solvent. It is classified as a cosmetic ingredient in our database. CAS number: 110-80-5.

What is the Margin of Safety for Ethoxyethanol (2-Ethoxyethanol)?

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.

What is the NOAEL for Ethoxyethanol (2-Ethoxyethanol)?

The NOAEL (No Observed Adverse Effect Level) for Ethoxyethanol (2-Ethoxyethanol) is 185.8 mg/kg bw/day based on a Subchronic study via oral route in rat. A total of 10 study endpoints are available. Source: COSMOS_DB.

Is Ethoxyethanol (2-Ethoxyethanol) classified as hazardous under GHS?

Ethoxyethanol (2-Ethoxyethanol) carries a GHS signal word of "DANGER". Hazard statements: Flammable liquid and vapour May cause damage to central nervous system and blood May damage fertility or the unborn child. 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 Ethoxyethanol (2-Ethoxyethanol) compliance across multiple jurisdictions:

🔬
Ingredient Decoder
Paste a full ingredient list for instant analysis
 🌸
82 Allergen Checker
Check for EU declarable fragrance allergens
 🧪
Substance Compliance
Check compliance across 55 jurisdictions
 🧮
MoS Calculator
Calculate Margin of Safety using SCCS methodology
 ⚗️
Heavy Metal Limits
Compare limits across jurisdictions

Related Ingredients

Chlorotrifluoropropene
Moderate
Triethyl Phosphate
Moderate
Ethyl Perfluoroisobutyl Ether
Moderate
SD Alcohol 23-H
Good
C12-13 Alkane/Cycloalkane
Good
Browse all 30,000+ ingredients →
📱

Is Ethoxyethanol (2-Ethoxyethanol) in Your Products?

Scan any product label with Piro — our free ingredient scanner. Point your camera at the ingredients list and get instant safety scores for every ingredient.

Try Piro Free →

Analyze Your Full Ingredient List

Paste any INCI list into the Decoder for instant safety analysis, or calculate the Margin of Safety for Ethoxyethanol (2-Ethoxyethanol) in your formulation.

Ingredient Decoder MoS Calculator