Good Cosmetic Ingredient NOAEL Data GHS Classified

Ethyl Formate

INCI: ETHYL FORMATE

CAS Number
109-94-4
Function
Fragrance ingredient
Safety Rating
GOOD

Regulatory Status

🇪🇺 EU Status permitted
🇺🇸 US Status permitted
US Notes Permitted — GRAS as a flavoring substance (21 CFR 184.1295); no cosmetic-specific restriction

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

Safety Data

Margin of Safety (MoS)
adequate
Dermal Absorption
low
Sensitization
none

Calculate MoS for your specific formulation with the MoS Calculator.

Toxicological Studies

2 study endpoints found for Ethyl Formate. 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 1000 mg/kg bw/day oral rat Subchronic COSMOS_DB
dose_tested 1000 mg/kg bw/day oral rat Subchronic 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; excl mark;warn
Hazard Statements
Highly flammable liquid and vapour May be harmful if swallowed Causes serious eye irritation May cause respiratory irritation
Short-term Exposure Effects
The substance is irritating to the eyes and respiratory tract. The substance may cause effects on the central nervous system. Exposure far above the OEL could cause lowering of consciousness.
Long-term Exposure Effects
The substance defats the skin, which may cause dryness or cracking.
Routes of Exposure
The substance can be absorbed into the body by inhalation of its vapour and by ingestion.

Expert Verdict

Highly flammable with low flash point; volatile and requires engineering controls during manufacturing to limit inhalation exposure, but shows no genotoxic potential.

⚠️
Concern Level: Moderate

Regulatory Flags

fragrance-component ifra_fragrance fda_food_additive

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Ethyl Formate safe in cosmetics?

Highly flammable with low flash point; volatile and requires engineering controls during manufacturing to limit inhalation exposure, but shows no genotoxic potential. The EU classifies Ethyl Formate as "permitted". Safety rating: GOOD. 2 toxicological study endpoint(s) are available in our database.

Is Ethyl Formate allowed in the EU?

Ethyl Formate EU regulatory status: permitted. This is based on EU Regulation 1223/2009 and its amendments.

What does Ethyl Formate do in cosmetics?

Ethyl Formate functions as: Fragrance ingredient. It is classified as a cosmetic ingredient in our database. CAS number: 109-94-4.

What is the Margin of Safety for Ethyl Formate?

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 Ethyl Formate?

The NOAEL (No Observed Adverse Effect Level) for Ethyl Formate is 1000 mg/kg bw/day based on a Subchronic study via oral route in rat. A total of 2 study endpoints are available. Source: COSMOS_DB.

Is Ethyl Formate classified as hazardous under GHS?

Ethyl Formate carries a GHS signal word of "DANGER". Hazard statements: Highly flammable liquid and vapour May be harmful if swallowed Causes serious eye irritation May cause respiratory irritation. 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 Ethyl Formate compliance across multiple jurisdictions:

🔬
Ingredient Decoder
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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

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