EXCELLENT Cosmetic Ingredient GHS Classified Dermal Penetration

Tetrasodium EDTA

Also known as: EDTA, tetrasodium salt, Glycine, N,N'-1,2-ethanediylbis[N-(carboxymethyl)-, tetrasodium salt, Aquamoline BC, Caswell No. 846, Cheelox BF-12 (+15 more)

INCI: TETRASODIUM EDTA

Tetrasodium EDTA (CAS 64-02-8) is a cosmetic cosmetic ingredient functioning as Chelating agent; metal ion sequestrant; preservative booster; antimicrobial. EU Regulation 1223/2009 status: permitted; GHS signal word WARNING. Industrial safety data is also available in the chemical safety database. Same-CAS public records also appear in industrial chemical safety, pharmaceutical, and food safety data.

View industrial chemical safety profile for CAS 64-02-8 →

Cross-Vertical Regulatory Divergence

Tetrasodium EDTA is classified GHS Danger (H302, H318, H332, H373) in the chemicals database but is allowed in EU cosmetics.

Source: Cosmetics: ingredients.eu status; Chemicals: ghs classifications.signal word/hazard statement code

CAS Number

64-02-8

View industrial chemical safety profile →

Function

Chelating agent; metal ion sequestrant; preservative booster; antimicrobial synergist

Editorial assessment

EXCELLENT

Preliminary editorial note — not a computed safety verdict.

Chemistry & Identifiers

EC Number

200-573-9

UNII: MP1J8420LU Wikidata: Q27284152

Regulatory Status

EU EU Status permitted

US US Status permitted

US Notes Permitted under FD&C Act general provisions. No pre-market approval required. CIR concluded safe as used. Disodium EDTA (related salt) approved as color additive diluent under 21 CFR Part 73. Not GRASE-classified for sunscreen drug products.

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

Safety Data

Margin of Safety, dermal absorption, and sensitization profile summaries for Tetrasodium EDTA.

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

WARNING

Pictograms

Excl markWarn

Hazard Statements

Harmful if swallowed Causes mild skin irritation Causes serious eye irritation

Short-term Exposure Effects

The substance is irritating to the eyes.

Routes of Exposure

The substance can be absorbed into the body by inhalation of its aerosol and by ingestion.

Dermal Penetration Profile

Skin absorption and penetration characteristics of Tetrasodium EDTA, relevant to systemic exposure and MoS calculations.

Absorption %

0.1-0.5%

Penetration Level

surface

Penetration Depth

surface only

Molecular Weight

380.2 Da

Log P

-7.2

Systemic Absorption

minimal

Topical Bioavailability

0.05-0.2%

Safety Margin Factor

minimal

Vehicle Dependent

Yes — absorption varies by formulation

Source: CIR Expert Panel

EPA ToxValDB — Toxicity Values

2 toxicity values from EPA ToxValDB (aggregated from CCTE, HPV, ToxRefDB, IRIS, and other regulatory dossiers).

Endpoint	Value	Species	Route	Duration	Source
LD50	~2700 mg/kg	Rat	oral	-	ECHA
LD50	=2581 mg/kg	Rat	oral	-	ECHA

EU CLP Annex VI Harmonized Classification

Legally binding harmonized classification per Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008 (CLP) Annex VI.

Signal Word

Danger

Pictograms

Harmful / IrritantCorrosive

Hazard Class and Category

Acute Tox. 4 *; Eye Dam. 1

Hazard Statements

H302 Harmful if swallowed
H318 Causes serious eye damage

Inserted via ATP: ATP01

ECHA REACH Registration

European Chemicals Agency REACH dossier and Substances of Very High Concern listing.

Registration Type

Full

Tonnage Band

10,000 - 100,000 tonnes

Substance Type

GROUP; SUBSTANCE

SVHC Candidate

Hazard classification: Restricted (Annex XVII)

Typical Use Concentrations

Reported concentration ranges per product category from SCCS/CIR/industry sources.

Product Category	Typical Range	Max Reported	Source
Shampoo	0.05–0.2	0.5	CIR Safety Assessment

Function Categories & List Membership

Cosmetic/Chemical Function Categories

Anti-scaling agent Chelating agent Cleaning agent Fragrance Preservative Processing aids not otherwise specified Thickening agent

Regulatory List Membership (3)

EU Restricted for Children (Cosmetics) IFRA Fragrance Transparency List FDA Substances Added to Food (EAFUS)

Editorial summary

Preliminary editorial summary for Tetrasodium EDTA — not a computed safety verdict. See the sourced toxicological data above.

Regulatory Flags

eu-unrestricted cir-approved non-sensitizing penetration-enhancer eu_children_restricted ifra_fragrance fda_food_additive

Known Synonyms

EDTA, tetrasodium salt Glycine, N,N'-1,2-ethanediylbis[N-(carboxymethyl)-, tetrasodium salt Aquamoline BC Caswell No. 846 Cheelox BF-12 Cheelox BF-13 Cheelox BF-78 Cheelox BR-33 EDTA sodium EDTA, tetrasodium EINECS 200-573-9 EPA Pesticide Chemical Code 039107 N,N'-1,2-Ethanediylbis(N-(carboxymethyl)glycine) tetrasodium salt Ethylene diamine tetraacetic acid sodium salt Ethylenebis(iminodiacetic acid) tetrasodium salt N,N'-Ethylenediaminediacetic acid tetrasodium salt Hamp-ene 220 Kemplex 100 Natrii edetas Natrium aedeticum

Chemical Function

Chelating agent

Regulatory Lists

Canada; pharmaceutical Europe; Specialty occupational products inert_ingredient; non_food_use; Pesticides Europe; Vehicle - car interior CEDI food_additive; Substances Added to Food (formerly EAFUS) (2/2019) active_ingredient; Pesticides active_ingredient; Pesticides active_ingredient; Pesticides active_ingredient; Pesticides active_ingredient; Pesticides active_ingredient; Pesticides active_ingredient; Pesticides active_ingredient; Pesticides active_ingredient; Pesticides active_ingredient; Pesticides active_ingredient; Pesticides active_ingredient; Pesticides

Cross-Vertical Safety Context

Same-CAS public records found in pharmaceutical and food safety data.

SOURCE ChEMBL / DrugCentral / FAERS DB_PHARMA CAS match

Pharmaceutical Data

Same-CAS rows from the pharmaceutical spoke database.

Compound

EDETATE SODIUM

ChEMBL ID

CHEMBL2104344

Max Phase

-1

View full pharmaceutical profile →

SOURCE EFSA / FDA GRAS food_additives

Food Safety Data

Same-CAS food additive or FDA GRAS records from the core public database.

Food Name

EDTA, TETRASODIUM

Food Category

food_additive

View full food safety profile →

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Tetrasodium EDTA safe in cosmetics?

Tetrasodium EDTA has a safety rating of "EXCELLENT" in our database. EU status: permitted. US status: permitted.

Is Tetrasodium EDTA allowed in the EU?

Tetrasodium EDTA EU regulatory status: permitted. This is based on EU Regulation 1223/2009 and its amendments.

What does Tetrasodium EDTA do in cosmetics?

Tetrasodium EDTA functions as: Chelating agent; metal ion sequestrant; preservative booster; antimicrobial synergist. It is classified as a cosmetic ingredient in our database. CAS number: 64-02-8.

Is Tetrasodium EDTA classified as hazardous under GHS?

Tetrasodium EDTA carries a GHS signal word of "WARNING". Hazard statements: Harmful if swallowed Causes mild skin irritation Causes serious eye irritation. 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 Tetrasodium EDTA used outside cosmetics?

Tetrasodium EDTA also appears in industrial chemical safety, pharmaceutical, and food safety data. The cross-vertical cards on this page render same-CAS public rows from the matched databases.

Does Tetrasodium EDTA have different safety status in cosmetics vs industrial chemicals?

Tetrasodium EDTA is classified GHS Danger (H302, H318, H332, H373) in the chemicals database but is allowed in EU cosmetics.

Compliance Tools

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Substance Compliance

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MoS Calculator

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Heavy Metal Limits

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