Is Trifluoroacetic Acid (TFA) safe in cosmetics?
Trifluoroacetic Acid (TFA) has a safety rating of "POOR" in our database. EU status: permitted. US status: permitted. 1 toxicological study endpoint(s) are available in our database.
Trifluoroacetic Acid (TFA)
Also known as: 2,2,2-Trifluoroacetic acid, Acetic acid, 2,2,2-trifluoro-, Perfluoroacetic acid, Trifluoroethanoic acid, Perfluoro-n-ethanoic acid (+10 more)
INCI: TRIFLUOROACETIC ACID
Trifluoroacetic Acid (TFA) (CAS 76-05-1) is a cosmetic cosmetic ingredient functioning as pH adjuster. Reported NOAEL =25 mg/kg bw/day in Rat (ToxValDB_ECHA_IUCLID); EU Regulation 1223/2009 status: permitted; 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 and pharmaceutical data.
View industrial chemical safety profile for CAS 76-05-1 →
Auto-generated CPSR Part A draft with source citations
Cross-Vertical Regulatory Divergence
Trifluoroacetic Acid (TFA) is classified GHS Danger (H290, H302, H314, H318, H332, H412, H301, H331) in the chemicals database but is allowed in EU cosmetics.
Source: Cosmetics: ingredients.eu_status; Chemicals: ghs_classifications.signal_word/hazard_statement_code
Function
pH adjuster
Safety Rating
POOR
Chemistry & Identifiers
IUPAC Name
2,2,2-trifluoroacetic acid
InChIKey
DTQVDTLACAAQTR-UHFFFAOYSA-N
Regulatory Status
EU EU Status
permitted
US US Status
permitted
US Notes
Permitted; no specific cosmetic restrictions currently in effect
For full compliance data across multiple jurisdictions, use the Substance Compliance tool.
Safety Data
Margin of Safety, dermal absorption, and sensitization profile summaries for Trifluoroacetic Acid (TFA).
Calculate MoS for your specific formulation with the MoS Calculator.
Toxicological Studies
1 study endpoint found for Trifluoroacetic Acid (TFA). 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 | =25 mg/kg bw/day | oral | Rat | reproduction developmental | ToxValDB_ECHA_IUCLID |
GHS Hazard Classification
Globally Harmonized System classification per ECHA C&L inventory and ILO/WHO International Chemical Safety Cards.
Signal Word
DANGER
Pictograms
CorrCancerHealth haz
Hazard Statements
Causes severe skin burns and eye damage Causes damage to respiratory tract if inhaled Harmful to aquatic life
Short-term Exposure Effects
The substance is corrosive to the eyes, skin and respiratory tract. Corrosive on ingestion. Inhalation of fumes may cause lung oedema. See Notes.
Routes of Exposure
Serious local effects by all routes of exposure.
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 *; Skin Corr. 1A; Aquatic Chronic 3
Hazard Statements
- H332 Harmful if inhaled
- H314 Causes severe skin burns and eye damage
- H412 Harmful to aquatic life with long lasting effects
Specific Concentration Limits / M-factors
*
Inserted via ATP: CLP00
ECHA REACH Registration
European Chemicals Agency REACH dossier and Substances of Very High Concern listing.
Registration Type
Full
Tonnage Band
100 - 1,000 tonnes
Substance Type
SUBSTANCE
SVHC Candidate
No
Hazard classification: Restricted (Annex XVII)
PubChem Annotations
Safety and regulatory annotations from PubChem (NCBI) aggregated sources.
Safety (1)
ICSC Safety Card
1673
Source: ILO-WHO International Chemical Safety Cards (ICSCs)
Expert Verdict
Expert safety assessment and concern-level summary for Trifluoroacetic Acid (TFA).
NOAEL Studies Summary
View details ->Public NOAEL study rows linked to Trifluoroacetic Acid (TFA) by CAS number or substance name.
Studies
13
Lowest NOAEL
25 mg/kg bw/day
Highest NOAEL
1000 mg/kg bw/day
ToxValDB_ECHA_IUCLID
ECHA_REACH_reach_study_results_dossiers_23-05-2023.zip
Known Synonyms
2,2,2-Trifluoroacetic acid
Acetic acid, 2,2,2-trifluoro-
Perfluoroacetic acid
Trifluoroethanoic acid
Perfluoro-n-ethanoic acid
Acetic acid, trifluoro-
NSC 77366
UN 2699
4-02-00-00458
BRN 0742035
EINECS 200-929-3
Kyselina trifluoroctova
UNII-E5R8Z4G708
TFAA
TFA
Cross-Vertical Safety Context
Same-CAS public records found in pharmaceutical data.
SOURCE
ChEMBL / DrugCentral / FAERS
DB_PHARMA CAS match
Pharmaceutical Data
Same-CAS rows from the pharmaceutical spoke database.
Compound
TRIFLUOROACETIC ACID
ChEMBL ID
CHEMBL506259
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Trifluoroacetic Acid (TFA) allowed in the EU?
Trifluoroacetic Acid (TFA) EU regulatory status: permitted. This is based on EU Regulation 1223/2009 and its amendments.
What does Trifluoroacetic Acid (TFA) do in cosmetics?
Trifluoroacetic Acid (TFA) functions as: pH adjuster. It is classified as a cosmetic ingredient in our database. CAS number: 76-05-1.
What is the NOAEL for Trifluoroacetic Acid (TFA)?
The NOAEL (No Observed Adverse Effect Level) for Trifluoroacetic Acid (TFA) is =25 mg/kg bw/day based on a reproduction developmental study via oral route in Rat. Source: ToxValDB_ECHA_IUCLID.
Is Trifluoroacetic Acid (TFA) classified as hazardous under GHS?
Trifluoroacetic Acid (TFA) carries a GHS signal word of "DANGER". Hazard statements: Causes severe skin burns and eye damage Causes damage to respiratory tract if inhaled 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.
Is Trifluoroacetic Acid (TFA) used outside cosmetics?
Trifluoroacetic Acid (TFA) also appears in industrial chemical safety and pharmaceutical data. The cross-vertical cards on this page render same-CAS public rows from the matched databases.
Does Trifluoroacetic Acid (TFA) have different safety status in cosmetics vs industrial chemicals?
Trifluoroacetic Acid (TFA) is classified GHS Danger (H290, H302, H314, H318, H332, H412, H301, H331) in the chemicals database but is allowed in EU cosmetics.
Compliance Tools
Check Trifluoroacetic Acid (TFA) compliance across multiple jurisdictions:
Ingredient Decoder
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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
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