Is Paraformaldehyde safe in cosmetics?
Paraformaldehyde has a safety rating of "POOR" in our database. EU status: prohibited. US status: permitted.
Paraformaldehyde
Also known as: Paraform, Caswell No. 633, EPA Pesticide Chemical Code 043002, Oilstop, Halowax, Paraformaldehydum (+7 more)
INCI: PARAFORMALDEHYDE
Paraformaldehyde (CAS 30525-89-4) is a cosmetic preservative functioning as Preservative. EU Regulation 1223/2009 status: prohibited; GHS signal word DANGER. Industrial safety data is also available in the chemical safety database.
View industrial chemical safety profile for CAS 30525-89-4 →
Auto-generated CPSR Part A draft with source citations
Function
Preservative
Safety Rating
POOR
Regulatory Status
EU EU Status
prohibited
US US Status
permitted
US Notes
No specific restrictions
For full compliance data across multiple jurisdictions, use the Substance Compliance tool.
Safety Data
Margin of Safety, dermal absorption, and sensitization profile summaries for Paraformaldehyde.
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
FlamFlameSkullToxic
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.
EU CosIng Annex Listing
European Commission CosIng database Annex references per Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009.
Annex II — Prohibited
Ref: 1578
(EU) 2019/831
CMR: Carcinogenic Cat. 2()
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 (II - Prohibited)
ASEAN Cosmetic Directive (II)
Ref: 1578
BRIN Brazil/India Cosmetics
India: Prohibited (GNRAS)
Additional Jurisdictional Restrictions (3)
| Jurisdiction | Status | Max % | Product Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| CN | banned | - | - |
| BR | restricted | 0.2 | Same conditions as formaldehyde (formaldehyde releaser) |
| KR | prohibited | - | - |
Function Categories & List Membership
Regulatory List Membership (3)
EU Banned in Cosmetics
FDA Indirect Food Contact Additives
EU CosIng Cosmetics Ingredient Database
Expert Verdict
Expert safety assessment and concern-level summary for Paraformaldehyde.
Regulatory Flags
EU Restricted
eu_banned_cosmetics
eu_cosing_listed
Known Synonyms
Paraform
Caswell No. 633
EPA Pesticide Chemical Code 043002
Oilstop, Halowax
Paraformaldehydum
Paraformic aldehyde
Polymerised formaldehyde
Polyoxymethylene glycol
UNII-Y19UC83H8E
Granuform
PFA
TransFix
Regulatory Lists
active_ingredient; Europe; Pesticides
Indirect additives food contact (10/2018)
active_ingredient; Europe; Pesticides
active_ingredient; Pesticides
active_ingredient; Pesticides
banned; Europe; Personal care
Australian Status
AICIS status: listed
Frequently Asked Questions
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.
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 multiple jurisdictions
MoS Calculator
Calculate Margin of Safety using SCCS methodology
Heavy Metal Limits
Compare limits across jurisdictions
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PARACHLORELLA BEIJERINCKII EXOPOLYSACCHARIDES
Good
Browse nearby
Film Forming, Skin Protecting
PARACHLORELLA BEIJERINCKII EXTRACT
Good
Browse nearby
Humectant
PARACHLORELLA KESSLERI EXOPOLYSACCHARIDES
Good
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Humectant, Skin Conditioning
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