Is GLYCOL safe in cosmetics?
GLYCOL has a safety rating of "GOOD" in our database. EU status: permitted. 10 toxicological study endpoint(s) are available in our database.
GLYCOL
Also known as: 1,2-Ethanediol, Antifreeze, Caswell No. 441, EINECS 203-473-3, EPA Pesticide Chemical Code 042203 (+4 more)
GLYCOL (CAS 107-21-1) is a cosmetic cosmetic ingredient functioning as Humectant, Solvent, Viscosity Controlling. Reported NOAEL =71 mg/kg bw/day (INCHEM_WHO_cicads_cicads_cicad45); EU Regulation 1223/2009 status: permitted; GHS signal word WARNING. Industrial safety data is also available in the chemical safety database. Same-CAS public records also appear in industrial chemical safety and pharmaceutical data.
View industrial chemical safety profile for CAS 107-21-1 →
Auto-generated CPSR Part A draft with source citations
Function
Humectant, Solvent, Viscosity Controlling
Safety Rating
GOOD
Chemistry & Identifiers
IUPAC Name
ethane-1,2-diol
InChIKey
LYCAIKOWRPUZTN-UHFFFAOYSA-N
Regulatory Status
EU EU Status
permitted
US US Status
Not specifically regulated
For full compliance data across multiple jurisdictions, use the Substance Compliance tool.
Toxicological Studies
10 study endpoints found for GLYCOL. 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 | =71 mg/kg bw/day | - | - | Toxicology study | INCHEM_WHO_cicads_cicads_cicad45 |
| NOAEL | =500 mg/kg bw/day | - | - | Toxicology study | INCHEM_WHO_cicads_cicads_cicad45 |
| NOAEL | =1000 mg/kg bw/day | oral | Rat | Toxicology study | INCHEM_WHO_cicads_cicads_cicad45 |
| NOAEL | =1500 mg/kg bw/day | oral | Mouse | Toxicology study | INCHEM_WHO_cicads_cicads_cicad45 |
| NOAEL | =78 mg/kg bw/day | oral | Rat | chronic | ToxValDB_ECHA_IUCLID |
| NOAEL | =250 mg/kg bw/day | oral | Rat | developmental | ToxValDB_ECHA_IUCLID |
| NOAEL | =500 mg/kg bw/day | oral | Rat | developmental | ToxValDB_ECHA_IUCLID |
| NOAEL | =750 mg/kg bw/day | oral | Mouse | reproduction developmental | ToxValDB_ECHA_IUCLID |
| NOAEL | =1000 mg/kg bw/day | oral | Rat | developmental | ToxValDB_ECHA_IUCLID |
| NOAEL | =1500 mg/kg bw/day | oral | Mouse | chronic | ToxValDB_ECHA_IUCLID |
GHS Hazard Classification
Globally Harmonized System classification per ECHA C&L inventory and ILO/WHO International Chemical Safety Cards.
Signal Word
WARNING
Pictograms
Excl markWarnCancerHealth haz
Hazard Statements
Harmful if swallowed May cause damage to kidneys and central nervous system
Short-term Exposure Effects
The substance is irritating to the eyes and respiratory tract. The substance may cause effects on the kidneys, central nervous system and acid-base balance in the body. This may result in renal failure, brain injury and metabolic acidosis. Exposure could cause lowering of consciousness.
Routes of Exposure
The substance can be absorbed into the body by inhalation and through the skin.
EU CLP Annex VI Harmonized Classification
Legally binding harmonized classification per Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008 (CLP) Annex VI.
Signal Word
Warning
Pictograms
Harmful / Irritant
Hazard Class and Category
Acute Tox. 4 *
Hazard Statements
- H302 Harmful if swallowed
Inserted via ATP: CLP00
ECHA REACH Registration
European Chemicals Agency REACH dossier and Substances of Very High Concern listing.
Registration Type
Full
Tonnage Band
1,000,000 - 10,000,000 tonnes
Substance Type
SUBSTANCE
SVHC Candidate
No
Hazard classification: Restricted (Annex XVII)
PubChem Annotations
Safety and regulatory annotations from PubChem (NCBI) aggregated sources.
Safety (5)
Carcinogen Classification
No indication of carcinogenicity to humans (not listed by IARC).
Source: Toxin and Toxin Target Database (T3DB)
Carcinogen Classification
Ethylene Glycol | TR-413: Toxicology and Carcinogenesis Studies of Ethylene Glycol (CASRN 107-21-1) in B6C3F1 Mice (Feed Studies) (1993 ) | 07/09/91 | Chemical Not Tested in Species/Sex | Chemical Not Tested in Species/Sex | No Evidence | No Evidence | Under the conditions of these 2-year feed studies, there was no evidence of carcinogenic activity of ethylene glycol in male B6C3F1 mice r
Source: NTP Technical Reports
Evidence for Carcinogenicity
A4; Not classifiable as a human carcinogen.
Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
ICSC Safety Card
0270
Source: ILO-WHO International Chemical Safety Cards (ICSCs)
Skin Eye Respiratory Irritation
Liquid is irritating to eyes and skin; Vapors are nonirritating to the eyes and throat. | A skin, eye and mucous membrane irritant.
Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
Regulatory (1)
EU Food Improvement
Food additives
Source: EU Food Improvement Agents
Function Categories & List Membership
Cosmetic/Chemical Function Categories
Adhesion/cohesion promoter
Anti-adhesive/cohesive
Anti-freeze agent
Anti-slip agent
Chemical reaction regulator
Coalescing agent
Conductive agent
Defoamer
Degradant/impurity
Demulsifier
Regulatory List Membership (3)
California Proposition 65 (OEHHA)
IFRA Fragrance Transparency List
FDA Indirect Food Contact Additives
Expert Verdict
Expert safety assessment and concern-level summary for GLYCOL.
Regulatory Flags
cosing-sourced
eu-permitted
humectant
needs-enrichment
prop65
ifra_fragrance
NOAEL Studies Summary
View details ->Public NOAEL study rows linked to GLYCOL by CAS number or substance name.
Studies
13
Lowest NOAEL
71 mg/kg bw/day
Highest NOAEL
3549 mg/kg bw/day
ToxValDB_ECHA_IUCLID
INCHEM_WHO_cicads_cicads_cicad45
Known Synonyms
1,2-Ethanediol
Antifreeze
Caswell No. 441
EINECS 203-473-3
EPA Pesticide Chemical Code 042203
Glycol, ethylene-
NCI-C00920
UNII-FC72KVT52F
Ethanediol
Chemical Function
Solvent
Humectant
Viscosity modifier
Fragrance
Thickening agent
Demulsifier
Anti-slip agent
Regulatory Lists
air; detected; emissions; Europe; Toys and children's products
air; detected; emissions; Europe; Toys and children's products
air; detected; emissions; Europe; Toys and children's products
air; detected; emissions; Europe; Toys and children's products
fracking; water
active_ingredient; Europe; Pesticides
active_ingredient; Pesticides
active_ingredient; Pesticides
active_ingredient; Pesticides
active_ingredient; Pesticides
active_ingredient; Pesticides
active_ingredient; Pesticides
active_ingredient; Pesticides
active_ingredient; Pesticides
active_ingredient; Pesticides
inert_ingredient; non_food_use; Pesticides
CEDI
Indirect additives food contact (10/2018)
Australian Status
AICIS status: listed
Cross-Vertical Safety Context
Same-CAS public records found in pharmaceutical data.
SOURCE
ChEMBL / DrugCentral / FAERS
DB_PHARMA CAS match
Pharmaceutical Data
Same-CAS rows from the pharmaceutical spoke database.
Compound
ETHYLENE GLYCOL
ChEMBL ID
CHEMBL457299
Adverse Event Associations
16
Frequently Asked Questions
Is GLYCOL allowed in the EU?
GLYCOL EU regulatory status: permitted. This is based on EU Regulation 1223/2009 and its amendments.
What does GLYCOL do in cosmetics?
GLYCOL functions as: Humectant, Solvent, Viscosity Controlling. It is classified as a cosmetic ingredient in our database. CAS number: 107-21-1.
What is the NOAEL for GLYCOL?
The NOAEL (No Observed Adverse Effect Level) for GLYCOL is =71 mg/kg bw/day based on a Toxicology study study via oral route in rat. A total of 10 study endpoints are available. Source: INCHEM_WHO_cicads_cicads_cicad45.
Is GLYCOL classified as hazardous under GHS?
GLYCOL carries a GHS signal word of "WARNING". Hazard statements: Harmful if swallowed May cause damage to kidneys and central nervous system. 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.
Is GLYCOL used outside cosmetics?
GLYCOL also appears in industrial chemical safety and pharmaceutical data. The cross-vertical cards on this page render same-CAS public rows from the matched databases.
Compliance Tools
Check GLYCOL compliance across multiple jurisdictions:
Ingredient Decoder
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82 Allergen Checker
Check for EU declarable fragrance allergens
Substance Compliance
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MoS Calculator
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Heavy Metal Limits
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