Good Cosmetic Ingredient NOAEL Data GHS Classified

Sodium Bisulfite

INCI: SODIUM BISULFITE

CAS Number
7631-90-5
Function
Preservative, reducing agent, hair waving/straightening agent
Safety Rating
GOOD

Regulatory Status

🇪🇺 EU Status restricted
EU Max Conc. 0.2%
🇺🇸 US Status permitted
US Notes Permitted; GRAS for food use; listed in VCRP for cosmetic use; no specific restriction under current FDA cosmetic rules

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

Safety Data

Margin of Safety (MoS)
adequate
Dermal Absorption
moderate
Sensitization
low

Calculate MoS for your specific formulation with the MoS Calculator.

Toxicological Studies

10 study endpoints found for Sodium Bisulfite. 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 250 mg/kg bw/day oral rat Chronic COSMOS_DB
NOAEL 150 mg/kg bw/day oral mouse Developmental COSMOS_DB
NOAEL 110 mg/kg bw/day oral rat Developmental COSMOS_DB
NOAEL 120 mg/kg bw/day oral hamster Developmental COSMOS_DB
NOAEL 100 mg/kg bw/day oral rabbit Developmental COSMOS_DB
NOAEL 200 mg/kg bw/day oral rabbit Developmental COSMOS_DB
NOAEL 246 mg/kg bw/day oral hamster Developmental COSMOS_DB
NOAEL 206 mg/kg bw/day oral rat Developmental COSMOS_DB
NOAEL 125 mg/kg bw/day oral rat Carcinogenicity COSMOS_DB
NOAEL 1000 mg/kg bw/day oral rat Carcinogenicity COSMOS_DB

GHS Hazard Classification

Globally Harmonized System classification per ECHA C&L inventory and ILO/WHO International Chemical Safety Cards.

Signal Word
WARNING
Pictograms
excl mark;warn
Hazard Statements
Harmful if swallowed
Short-term Exposure Effects
The substance is irritating to the skin, eyes, respiratory tract and gastrointestinal tract. Exposure could cause asthma-like reactions or urticaria in sensitive persons.
Long-term Exposure Effects
Repeated or prolonged inhalation may cause asthma-like symptoms. The substance may have effects on the skin.
Routes of Exposure
The substance can be absorbed into the body by ingestion.

Expert Verdict

Sulfite-sensitive individuals (especially asthmatics) may react; must not exceed concentration limits; strong reducing agent — verify compatibility with oxidation-sensitive actives

⚠️
Concern Level: Low

Regulatory Flags

preservative epa_safer_alternative fda_food_additive

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Sodium Bisulfite safe in cosmetics?

Sulfite-sensitive individuals (especially asthmatics) may react; must not exceed concentration limits; strong reducing agent — verify compatibility with oxidation-sensitive actives The EU classifies Sodium Bisulfite as "restricted". Safety rating: GOOD. 10 toxicological study endpoint(s) are available in our database.

Is Sodium Bisulfite allowed in the EU?

Sodium Bisulfite EU regulatory status: restricted. Maximum allowed concentration: 0.2%. This is based on EU Regulation 1223/2009 and its amendments.

What does Sodium Bisulfite do in cosmetics?

Sodium Bisulfite functions as: Preservative, reducing agent, hair waving/straightening agent. It is classified as a cosmetic ingredient in our database. CAS number: 7631-90-5.

What is the Margin of Safety for Sodium Bisulfite?

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 Sodium Bisulfite?

The NOAEL (No Observed Adverse Effect Level) for Sodium Bisulfite is 250 mg/kg bw/day based on a Chronic study via oral route in rat. A total of 10 study endpoints are available. Source: COSMOS_DB.

Is Sodium Bisulfite classified as hazardous under GHS?

Sodium Bisulfite carries a GHS signal word of "WARNING". Hazard statements: Harmful if swallowed. 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 Sodium Bisulfite compliance across multiple jurisdictions:

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Ingredient Decoder
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82 Allergen Checker
Check for EU declarable fragrance allergens
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Substance Compliance
Check compliance across 55 jurisdictions
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MoS Calculator
Calculate Margin of Safety using SCCS methodology
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Heavy Metal Limits
Compare limits across jurisdictions

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