Regulatory Status
For full compliance data across 55 jurisdictions, use the Substance Compliance tool.
Safety Data
Calculate MoS for your specific formulation with the MoS Calculator.
Toxicological Studies
10 study endpoints found for Propionic Acid. 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 | 4000 mg/kg bw/day | oral | rat | Short Term Toxicity | COSMOS_DB |
| NOAEL | 200 mg/kg bw/day | oral | rat | Carcinogenicity | COSMOS_DB |
| NOAEL | 4000 mg/kg bw/day | oral | rat | Short Term Toxicity | COSMOS_DB |
| NOAEL | 6000 mg/kg bw/day | oral | mouse | Short Term Toxicity | COSMOS_DB |
| NOAEL | 4800 mg/kg bw/day | oral | syrian hamster | Short Term Toxicity | COSMOS_DB |
| NOAEL | 1500 mg/kg bw/day | oral | rat | Subchronic | COSMOS_DB |
| NOAEL | 2000 mg/kg bw/day | oral | rat | Short Term Toxicity | COSMOS_DB |
| NOAEL | 2000 mg/kg bw/day | oral | rat | Short Term Toxicity | COSMOS_DB |
| dose_tested | 4000 mg/kg bw/day | oral | rat | Short Term Toxicity | COSMOS_DB |
| dose_tested | 6000 mg/kg bw/day | oral | mouse | Short Term Toxicity | COSMOS_DB |
GHS Hazard Classification
Globally Harmonized System classification per ECHA C&L inventory and ILO/WHO International Chemical Safety Cards.
Expert Verdict
Corrosive at concentrations ≥25%; skin irritant at 10–25% . Must maintain pH-appropriate formulation. Eye irritant
Regulatory Flags
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Propionic Acid safe in cosmetics?
Corrosive at concentrations ≥25%; skin irritant at 10–25% . Must maintain pH-appropriate formulation. Eye irritant The EU classifies Propionic Acid as "permitted". Safety rating: GOOD. 10 toxicological study endpoint(s) are available in our database.
Is Propionic Acid allowed in the EU?
Propionic Acid EU regulatory status: permitted. Maximum allowed concentration: 2%. This is based on EU Regulation 1223/2009 and its amendments.
What does Propionic Acid do in cosmetics?
Propionic Acid functions as: Preservative; antimicrobial agent. It is classified as a cosmetic ingredient in our database. CAS number: 79-09-4.
What is the Margin of Safety for Propionic Acid?
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 Propionic Acid?
The NOAEL (No Observed Adverse Effect Level) for Propionic Acid is 4000 mg/kg bw/day based on a Short Term Toxicity study via oral route in rat. A total of 10 study endpoints are available. Source: COSMOS_DB.
Is Propionic Acid classified as hazardous under GHS?
Propionic Acid carries a GHS signal word of "DANGER". Hazard statements: Flammable liquid and vapour Causes severe skin burns and eye damage May cause respiratory irritation Harmful 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.
Compliance Tools
Check Propionic Acid compliance across multiple jurisdictions:
Related Ingredients
Is Propionic Acid in Your Products?
Scan any product label with Piro — our free ingredient scanner. Point your camera at the ingredients list and get instant safety scores for every ingredient.
Try Piro Free →Analyze Your Full Ingredient List
Paste any INCI list into the Decoder for instant safety analysis, or calculate the Margin of Safety for Propionic Acid in your formulation.