Is Sodium Borohydride safe in cosmetics?
Sodium Borohydride has a safety rating of "POOR" in our database. EU status: prohibited. US status: permitted. 2 toxicological study endpoint(s) are available in our database.
Sodium Borohydride
Also known as: Borate(1-), tetrahydro-, sodium (1:1), Borate(1-), tetrahydro-, sodium, Borol, Sodium tetrahydridoborate, Colorstrip 2000 (+10 more)
INCI: SODIUM BOROHYDRIDE
Sodium Borohydride (CAS 16940-66-2) is a cosmetic cosmetic ingredient functioning as Reducing agent (industrial/laboratory chemical; extremely limited cosmetic. Reported NOAEL =9.6 mg/kg bw/day in Rat (EFSA_OpenFoodTox_OpenFoodToxTX22809_2023.xlsx); EU Regulation 1223/2009 status: prohibited; GHS signal word DANGER. Industrial safety data is also available in the chemical safety database. Same-CAS public records also appear in industrial chemical safety data.
View industrial chemical safety profile for CAS 16940-66-2 →
Auto-generated CPSR Part A draft with source citations
Cross-Vertical Regulatory Divergence
Sodium Borohydride is prohibited in EU cosmetics but has active industrial GHS classifications (H260, H301, H311, H314, H318, H332, H360, H335).
Source: Cosmetics: ingredients.eu_status; Chemicals: ghs_classifications.signal_word/hazard_statement_code
Function
Reducing agent (industrial/laboratory chemical; extremely limited cosmetic relevance)
Safety Rating
POOR
Chemistry & Identifiers
IUPAC Name
sodium boranuide
InChIKey
YOQDYZUWIQVZSF-UHFFFAOYSA-N
Regulatory Status
EU EU Status
prohibited
US US Status
permitted
US Notes
Not approved for cosmetic use; classified as hazardous substance; no VCRP listings
For full compliance data across multiple jurisdictions, use the Substance Compliance tool.
Safety Data
Margin of Safety, dermal absorption, and sensitization profile summaries for Sodium Borohydride.
Calculate MoS for your specific formulation with the MoS Calculator.
Toxicological Studies
2 study endpoints found for Sodium Borohydride. 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 | =9.6 mg/kg bw/day | oral: feed | Rat | reproduction toxicity | EFSA_OpenFoodTox_OpenFoodToxTX22809_2023.xlsx |
| NOAEL | =9.6 mg/kg bw/day | oral: feed | Rat | reproduction toxicity | EFSA_OpenFoodTox_OpenFoodToxTX22809_2023.xlsx |
GHS Hazard Classification
Globally Harmonized System classification per ECHA C&L inventory and ILO/WHO International Chemical Safety Cards.
Signal Word
DANGER
Pictograms
FlamFlameCorrSkullToxic
Hazard Statements
In contact with water releases flammable gases which may ignite spontaneously Toxic if swallowed Causes severe skin burns and eye damage
Short-term Exposure Effects
The substance is corrosive to the eyes, skin and respiratory tract. Corrosive on ingestion.
Routes of Exposure
Serious local effects by all routes of exposure.
ECHA REACH Registration
European Chemicals Agency REACH dossier and Substances of Very High Concern listing.
Registration Type
Full
Tonnage Band
1,000 - 10,000 tonnes
Substance Type
SUBSTANCE
SVHC Candidate
No
PubChem Annotations
Safety and regulatory annotations from PubChem (NCBI) aggregated sources.
Safety (2)
ICSC Safety Card
1670
Source: ILO-WHO International Chemical Safety Cards (ICSCs)
Skin Eye Respiratory Irritation
Solid irritates skin | ... May produce irritation of the nasal mucous membranes, the respiratory tract, and eyes. /Boron compounds/
Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
Function Categories & List Membership
Cosmetic/Chemical Function Categories
Antioxidant
Filler
Flavouring and nutrient
Softener and conditioner
Regulatory List Membership (1)
FDA Substances Added to Food (EAFUS)
Expert Verdict
Expert safety assessment and concern-level summary for Sodium Borohydride.
Regulatory Flags
fda_food_additive
NOAEL Studies Summary
View details ->Public NOAEL study rows linked to Sodium Borohydride by CAS number or substance name.
Studies
2
Lowest NOAEL
9.6 mg/kg bw/day
Highest NOAEL
9.6 mg/kg bw/day
EFSA_OpenFoodTox_OpenFoodToxTX22809_2023.xlsx
Known Synonyms
Borate(1-), tetrahydro-, sodium (1:1)
Borate(1-), tetrahydro-, sodium
Borol
Sodium tetrahydridoborate
Colorstrip 2000
Hidkitex DF
Hydrifin
Sodium borohydrate
Sodium borohydride (Na(BH4))
Sodium hydroborate
Sodium tetrahydroborate
Sodium tetrahydroborate(1-)
VenMet
Venpure SF
EINECS No.: 241-004-4
Chemical Function
Antioxidant
Softener and conditioner
Filler
Flavouring and nutrient
Regulatory Lists
food_additive; Substances Added to Food (formerly EAFUS) (2/2019)
Australian Status
AICIS status: listed
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Sodium Borohydride allowed in the EU?
Sodium Borohydride EU regulatory status: prohibited. This is based on EU Regulation 1223/2009 and its amendments.
What does Sodium Borohydride do in cosmetics?
Sodium Borohydride functions as: Reducing agent (industrial/laboratory chemical; extremely limited cosmetic relevance). It is classified as a cosmetic ingredient in our database. CAS number: 16940-66-2.
What is the NOAEL for Sodium Borohydride?
The NOAEL (No Observed Adverse Effect Level) for Sodium Borohydride is =9.6 mg/kg bw/day based on a reproduction toxicity study via oral: feed route in Rat. A total of 2 study endpoints are available. Source: EFSA_OpenFoodTox_OpenFoodToxTX22809_2023.xlsx.
Is Sodium Borohydride classified as hazardous under GHS?
Sodium Borohydride carries a GHS signal word of "DANGER". Hazard statements: In contact with water releases flammable gases which may ignite spontaneously Toxic if swallowed Causes severe skin burns and eye damage. 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 Sodium Borohydride used outside cosmetics?
Sodium Borohydride also appears in industrial chemical safety data. The cross-vertical cards on this page render same-CAS public rows from the matched databases.
Does Sodium Borohydride have different safety status in cosmetics vs industrial chemicals?
Sodium Borohydride is prohibited in EU cosmetics but has active industrial GHS classifications (H260, H301, H311, H314, H318, H332, H360, H335).
Compliance Tools
Check Sodium Borohydride compliance across multiple jurisdictions:
Ingredient Decoder
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82 Allergen Checker
Check for EU declarable fragrance allergens
Substance Compliance
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MoS Calculator
Calculate Margin of Safety using SCCS methodology
Heavy Metal Limits
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