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Butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane (avobenzone) in EU cosmetics: status and maximum concentration

INCI BUTYL METHOXYDIBENZOYLMETHANE · CAS 70356-09-1

EU status: AllowedUV filter, max 5 %

Data from Certo’s regulatory database as of

The short answer

Butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane (avobenzone) is allowed in cosmetic products sold in the European Union (UV filter, max 5 %). The binding limits are set in Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009, Annex VI, entry 8.

EU legal requirements

What the EU Cosmetics Regulation and REACH require for Butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane (avobenzone), entry by entry.
Product type or useLimitConditions and label wordingApplies from
EU Cosmetics Regulation, Annex VI 8 — Every use, whatever its function. Legal text
Every product type≤ 5 %—In force

Standards, advice and watch lists

Industry standards, scientific opinions and substance lists. They are not legal limits, but customers and retailers often apply them.
Product type or useLimitConditions and label wordingApplies from
Endocrine-disruptor lists (national authorities), ED List II Source
Endocrine Disruptor Lists, List II (latest update 2026/04), row 3: 1-[4-(1,1-dimethylethyl)phenyl]-3-(4-methoxyphenyl)propane-1,3-dione

What the texts say

8 | 1-(4-tert-Butylphenyl)-3-(4-methoxyphenyl)propane-1,3-dione/Avobenzone | Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane | 70356-09-1 | 274-581-6 | 5 %
Reg. (EC) No 1223/2009, Annex VI, entry 8 (basic act)
1-[4-(1,1-dimethylethyl)phenyl]-3-(4-methoxyphenyl)propane-1,3-dione | 70356-09-1 | 274-581-6 | Yes | Corap List | 2015 | REACH | List II
Endocrine Disruptor Lists, List II (latest update 2026/04), row 3: 1-[4-(1,1-dimethylethyl)phenyl]-3-(4-methoxyphenyl)propane-1,3-dione

On the horizon

  • Watch: Under evaluation under REACH since 2015 for endocrine disruption in the environment.

Not to be confused with

  • 4-tert-Butylphenol (CAS 98-54-4): Another substance, banned (Annex II 340); avobenzone's chemical name only contains its name.
  • Butylphenyl methylpropional (Lilial) (CAS 80-54-6): Another substance, banned (Annex II 1666), sharing the ‘4-tert-butylphenyl’ fragment.

Sources

  1. Reg. (EC) No 1223/2009, Annex VI, entry 8 (basic act)
  2. Endocrine Disruptor Lists, List II (latest update 2026/04), row 3: 1-[4-(1,1-dimethylethyl)phenyl]-3-(4-methoxyphenyl)propane-1,3-dione

This page is general regulatory information, not legal advice. Rely on the legal texts linked above and on your own regulatory experts before making a compliance decision.