Poor Preservative GHS Classified

Paraformaldehyde

INCI: PARAFORMALDEHYDE

CAS Number
30525-89-4
Function
Preservative
Safety Rating
POOR

Regulatory Status

🇪🇺 EU Status prohibited
🇺🇸 US Status permitted
US Notes No specific restrictions

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

Safety Data

Margin of Safety (MoS)
not established
Dermal Absorption
moderate
Sensitization
moderate

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
Hazard Statements
Flammable solid Harmful if swallowed Fatal if inhaled Causes skin irritation Causes serious eye irritation May cause allergic skin reaction
Short-term Exposure Effects
The substance is severely irritating to the eyes, skin and respiratory tract.
Long-term Exposure Effects
Repeated or prolonged contact may cause skin sensitization. See Notes.
Routes of Exposure
The substance can be absorbed into the body by inhalation and by ingestion.

Expert Verdict

Paraformaldehyde is prohibited in cosmetics in the EU due to safety concerns.

⚠️
Concern Level: High

Regulatory Flags

EU Restricted eu_banned_cosmetics eu_cosing_listed

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Paraformaldehyde safe in cosmetics?

Paraformaldehyde is prohibited in cosmetics in the EU due to safety concerns. The EU classifies Paraformaldehyde as "prohibited". Safety rating: POOR.

Is Paraformaldehyde allowed in the EU?

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

What does Paraformaldehyde do in cosmetics?

Paraformaldehyde functions as: Preservative. It is classified as a Preservative in our database. CAS number: 30525-89-4.

What is the Margin of Safety for Paraformaldehyde?

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 Paraformaldehyde classified as hazardous under GHS?

Paraformaldehyde carries a GHS signal word of "DANGER". Hazard statements: Flammable solid Harmful if swallowed Fatal if inhaled Causes skin irritation Causes serious eye irritation May cause allergic skin reaction. 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 Paraformaldehyde 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

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