Also known as: [1,1'-Biphenyl]-2-ol, 2-Hydroxybiphenyl, 4-06-00-04579, Biphenyl-2-o1, Biphenyl, 2-hydroxy- (+14 more)
O-PHENYLPHENOL (CAS 90-43-7) is a cosmetic cosmetic ingredient functioning as Preservative. NOAEL 25 mg/kg bw/day (PDF-verified against ToxValDB ECHA IUCLID); EU Regulation 1223/2009 status: restricted, max V/7
The use of o-phenylphenol as a preservative should be allowed with a maximum concentration of 0,15 % (as phenol) in leave-on and 0,2 % (as phenol) in rinse-off cosmetic products. Contact with eyes should be avoided. The use of sodium o-phenylphenate, potassium o-phenylphenate and MEA o-phenylphenate as preservatives should not be allowed.; GHS signal word WARNING. Industrial safety data
Auto-generated CPSR Part A draft with source citations
Cross-Vertical Regulatory Divergence
O-PHENYLPHENOL is classified GHS Danger (H315, H319, H335, H400, H314, H341, H351, H350) in the chemicals database but is restricted in EU cosmetics at max V/7
The use of o-phenylphenol as a preservative should be allowed with a maximum concentration of 0,15 % (as phenol) in leave-on and 0,2 % (as phenol) in rinse-off cosmetic products. Contact with eyes should be avoided. The use of sodium o-phenylphenate, potassium o-phenylphenate and MEA o-phenylphenate as preservatives should not be allowed..
EU Max Conc.V/7
The use of o-phenylphenol as a preservative should be allowed with a maximum concentration of 0,15 % (as phenol) in leave-on and 0,2 % (as phenol) in rinse-off cosmetic products. Contact with eyes should be avoided. The use of sodium o-phenylphenate, potassium o-phenylphenate and MEA o-phenylphenate as preservatives should not be allowed.
US US Statusprohibited
US NotesAllowed — not specifically restricted or prohibited for cosmetic use; manufacturer bears responsibility for safety substantiation.
For full compliance data across multiple jurisdictions, use the
Substance Compliance tool.
Safety Data
Margin of Safety, dermal absorption, and sensitization profile summaries for O-PHENYLPHENOL.
Calculate MoS for your specific formulation with the
MoS Calculator.
Toxicological Studies
10 study endpoints found for O-PHENYLPHENOL. 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
=92 mg/kg bw/day
-
Mouse
Developmental toxicity
INCHEM_WHO_jmpr_jmpmono_v99pr08
NOAEL
=92 mg/kg bw/day
-
Mouse
Developmental toxicity
INCHEM_WHO_jmpr_jmpmono_v99pr08
NOAEL
=92 mg/kg bw/day
-
Mouse
Developmental toxicity
INCHEM_WHO_jmpr_jmpmono_v99pr08
NOAEL
=92 mg/kg bw/day
-
Mouse
Developmental toxicity
INCHEM_WHO_jmpr_jmpmono_v99pr08
NOAEL
=95 mg/kg bw/day
-
-
Carcinogenicity
INCHEM_WHO_jmpr_jmpmono_v99pr08
NOAEL
=95 mg/kg bw/day
-
-
Carcinogenicity
INCHEM_WHO_jmpr_jmpmono_v99pr08
NOAEL
=95 mg/kg bw/day
-
-
Carcinogenicity
INCHEM_WHO_jmpr_jmpmono_v99pr08
NOAEL
=95 mg/kg bw/day
-
-
Carcinogenicity
INCHEM_WHO_jmpr_jmpmono_v99pr08
NOAEL
=180 mg/kg bw/day
-
-
Toxicology study
INCHEM_WHO_jmpr_jmpmono_v99pr08
NOAEL
=180 mg/kg bw/day
-
-
Toxicology study
INCHEM_WHO_jmpr_jmpmono_v99pr08
GHS Hazard Classification
Globally Harmonized System classification per ECHA C&L inventory and ILO/WHO International Chemical Safety Cards.
Signal Word
WARNING
Pictograms
Excl markWarnEnviroAqua
Hazard Statements
May be harmful if swallowed Causes skin irritation Causes serious eye irritation May cause respiratory irritation Very toxic to aquatic life
Short-term Exposure Effects
The substance is severely irritating to the eyes. The substance is irritating to the skin and respiratory tract.
Long-term Exposure Effects
Tumours have been detected in experimental animals but may not be relevant to humans.
Routes of Exposure
The substance can be absorbed into the body by inhalation of its vapour, through the skin and by ingestion.
Safety Opinions
Official safety assessments from the Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety (SCCS) and Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR).
sccsSCCS/1669/2425 October 2024
Verdict: safe
NOAEL: 25 mg/kg bw/day (not specified)
Max Concentration: 0.2% in rinse-off
osmetic products? In light of the data provided, the SCCS considers o-Phenylphenol safe when used as preservative up to a maximum concentration of 0.2 % in rinse-off and 0.15 % in leave- on cosmetic products. O-Phenylphenol and Sodium o-Phenylphenate, when used together: • should no
sccsSCCS/1669/2425 October 2024
Verdict: safe
NOAEL: 25 mg/kg bw/day (not specified)
Max Concentration: 0.2% in leave-on
osmetic products? In light of the data provided, the SCCS considers o-Phenylphenol safe when used as preservative up to a maximum concentration of 0.2 % in rinse-off and 0.15 % in leave- on cosmetic products. O-Phenylphenol and Sodium o-Phenylphenate, when used together: • should no
sccsSCCS/1669/2425 October 2024
Verdict: safe
NOAEL: 25 mg/kg bw/day (not specified)
Max Concentration: 0.15% in leave-on
osmetic products? In light of the data provided, the SCCS considers o-Phenylphenol safe when used as preservative up to a maximum concentration of 0.2 % in rinse-off and 0.15 % in leave- on cosmetic products. O-Phenylphenol and Sodium o-Phenylphenate, when used together: • should no
sccsSCCS/1669/2425 October 2024
Verdict: safe
NOAEL: 39 mg/kg bw/day (not specified)
Max Concentration: 0.2% in rinse-off
osmetic products? In light of the data provided, the SCCS considers o-Phenylphenol safe when used as preservative up to a maximum concentration of 0.2 % in rinse-off and 0.15 % in leave- on cosmetic products. O-Phenylphenol and Sodium o-Phenylphenate, when used together: • should no
sccsSCCS/1669/2425 October 2024
Verdict: safe
NOAEL: 39 mg/kg bw/day (not specified)
Max Concentration: 0.2% in leave-on
osmetic products? In light of the data provided, the SCCS considers o-Phenylphenol safe when used as preservative up to a maximum concentration of 0.2 % in rinse-off and 0.15 % in leave- on cosmetic products. O-Phenylphenol and Sodium o-Phenylphenate, when used together: • should no
Pre-Calculated Safety Assessment
Pre-calculated NOAEL → SED → MoS audit trail for O-PHENYLPHENOL across SCCS product categories, with measured dermal absorption where available.
IARC Carcinogenicity
International Agency for Research on Cancer (WHO) monograph evaluation.
IARC Group
3
Volume
73
Evaluation Year
1998
EU CLP Annex VI Harmonized Classification
Legally binding harmonized classification per Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008 (CLP) Annex VI.
Signal Word
Danger
Pictograms
Health HazardCorrosiveHarmful / IrritantEnvironmental Hazard
H410Very toxic to aquatic life with long lasting effects
Specific Concentration Limits / M-factors
M = 1; M = 1
Inserted via ATP: ATP22
ECHA REACH Registration
European Chemicals Agency REACH dossier and Substances of Very High Concern listing.
Registration Type
Full
Tonnage Band
1 - 10 tonnes
Substance Type
SUBSTANCE
SVHC Candidate
No
Hazard classification:Restricted (Annex XVII)
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 (V - Preservatives)
Max: The use of o-phenylphenol as a preservative should be allowed with a maximum concentration of 0,15 % (as phenol) in leave-on and 0,2 % (as phenol) in rinse-off cosmetic products. Contact with eyes should be avoided. The use of sodium o-phenylphenate, potassium o-phenylphenate and MEA o-phenylphenate as preservatives should not be allowed..
JPKR Japan/Korea Cosmetics
Japan (Positive (Preservative)): max 0.30
Japan (Restricted): max Wash-away: No limit | Leave-on: 0.30% | Mucosa: 0.30%
BRIN Brazil/India Cosmetics
Brazil: Permitted Preservative · max a) 0,2% (expresso como fenol) em produtos que se enxáguem. b) 0,15% (expresso como fenol) em produtos que não se enxáguem.
India: Permitted Preservative · max The use of o-phenylphenol as a preservative should be allowed with a maximum concentration of 0,15 % (as phenol) in leave-on and 0,2 % (as phenol) in rinse-off cosmetic products. Contact with eyes should be avoided. The use of sodium o-phenylphenate, potassium o-phenylphenate and MEA o-phenylphenate as preservatives should not be allowed.
Additional Jurisdictional Restrictions (5)
Jurisdiction
Status
Max %
Product Type
JP
restricted
Wash-away: No limit | Leave-on: 0.30% | Mucosa: 0.30%
Wash-away: No limit | Leave-on: 0.30% | Mucosa: 0.30%
CN
permitted_preservative
0.2
(a) Rinse-off (b) Leave-on
IN
permitted_preservative
0.2
all cosmetics
BR
permitted_preservative
0.2 (rinse) / 0.15 (leave-on)
Rinse-off: 0.2% as phenol; Leave-on: 0.15% as phenol
ASEAN
permitted_preservative
0.2% as phenol
All products
Expanded Dermal Absorption Data
Cross-database dermal penetration: EPA Dryad physics-based, Roberts Mendeley permeation, and SCCS-aggregated measured values.
Aggregated DA Values (2 records across 5 sources)
Type
DA %
Method
Skin Model
SCCS Ref
measured_sccs_opinion
50.0%
-
-
SCCS/1669/24
measured_sccs_opinion
45.0%
-
-
SCCS/1555/15
PubChem Annotations
Safety and regulatory annotations from PubChem (NCBI) aggregated sources.
Safety (7)
Carcinogen Classification
3, not classifiable as to its carcinogenicity to humans. (L135)
Source: Toxin and Toxin Target Database (T3DB)
Carcinogen Classification
ortho-Phenylphenol | Group 3: Not classifiable as to its carcinogenicity to humans | Volume 73: (1999) Some Chemicals that Cause Tumours of the Kidney or Urinary Bladder in Rodents and Some Other Substances
Source: International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC)
Carcinogen Classification
o-Phenylphenol | TR-301: Toxicology and Carcinogenesis Studies of ORTHO-Phenylphenol (CASRN 90-43-7) Alone and with 7,12-Dimethylbenz(a)anthracene (CASRN 57-97-6) in Swiss CD-1 Mice (Dermal Studies) (1986 ) | 03/29/85 | Chemical Not Tested in Species/Sex | Chemical Not Tested in Species/Sex | No Evidence | No Evidence | Under the conditions of these 2-year dermal application studies, ther
Source: NTP Technical Reports
Evidence for Carcinogenicity
Cancer Classification: Not Likely to be Carcinogenic to Humans | Evaluation: There is inadequate evidence in humans for the carcinogenicity of ortho-phenylphenol and sodium ortho-phenylphenate. Overall evaluation: ortho-Phenylphenol is not classifiable as to its carcinogenicity to humans (Group 3). Sodium ortho-phenylphenate is possibly carcinogenic to humans (Group 2B).
Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
Endocrine Disruptors
Potential endocrine disrupting compound
Source: NORMAN Suspect List Exchange
Regulatory (2)
JECFA Number
735
Source: Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA)
JECFA Evaluation
o-HYDROXY BIPHENYL | 2000 | 0-0.4 mg/kg bw (1999) | No safety concern at current levels of intake when used as a flavouring agent. In 1999 JMPR allocated an ADI of 0-0.4 mg/kg bw for 2-phenylphenol; an ADI was not established for the sodium salt because it rapidly dissociates to 2-phenylphenol (FAO Plant Production and Protection Paper 153, Rome, 1999) | TRS 901-JECFA 55/44 | FAS 46-JECFA 55/165
Source: Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA)
Function Categories & List Membership
Cosmetic/Chemical Function Categories
BiocidePreservativeSurfactant (surface active agent)
Regulatory List Membership (4)
California Proposition 65 (OEHHA)EU Regulated in Personal CareFDA Substances Added to Food (EAFUS)EU CosIng Cosmetics Ingredient Database
Expert Verdict
Expert safety assessment and concern-level summary for O-PHENYLPHENOL.
O-PHENYLPHENOL has a safety rating of "MODERATE" in our database. EU status: restricted. US status: prohibited. 10 toxicological study endpoint(s) are available in our database. This ingredient has been reviewed by sccs.
Is O-PHENYLPHENOL allowed in the EU?
O-PHENYLPHENOL EU regulatory status: restricted. Maximum allowed concentration: V/7
The use of o-phenylphenol as a preservative should be allowed with a maximum concentration of 0,15 % (as phenol) in leave-on and 0,2 % (as phenol) in rinse-off cosmetic products. Contact with eyes should be avoided. The use of sodium o-phenylphenate, potassium o-phenylphenate and MEA o-phenylphenate as preservatives should not be allowed.. This is based on EU Regulation 1223/2009 and its amendments.
What does O-PHENYLPHENOL do in cosmetics?
O-PHENYLPHENOL functions as: Preservative. It is classified as a cosmetic ingredient in our database. CAS number: 90-43-7.
What is the NOAEL for O-PHENYLPHENOL?
The NOAEL (No Observed Adverse Effect Level) for O-PHENYLPHENOL is =92 mg/kg bw/day based on a Developmental toxicity study via oral route in Mouse. A total of 10 study endpoints are available. Source: INCHEM_WHO_jmpr_jmpmono_v99pr08.
Is O-PHENYLPHENOL classified as hazardous under GHS?
O-PHENYLPHENOL carries a GHS signal word of "WARNING". Hazard statements: May be harmful if swallowed Causes skin irritation Causes serious eye irritation May cause respiratory irritation Very toxic to aquatic life. 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 O-PHENYLPHENOL used outside cosmetics?
O-PHENYLPHENOL 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.
Does O-PHENYLPHENOL have different safety status in cosmetics vs industrial chemicals?
O-PHENYLPHENOL is classified GHS Danger (H315, H319, H335, H400, H314, H341, H351, H350) in the chemicals database but is restricted in EU cosmetics at max V/7
The use of o-phenylphenol as a preservative should be allowed with a maximum concentration of 0,15 % (as phenol) in leave-on and 0,2 % (as phenol) in rinse-off cosmetic products. Contact with eyes should be avoided. The use of sodium o-phenylphenate, potassium o-phenylphenate and MEA o-phenylphenate as preservatives should not be allowed..
Compliance Tools
Check O-PHENYLPHENOL compliance across multiple jurisdictions:
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