IngredientsEuropean Union
Butylphenyl methylpropional (lilial) in EU cosmetics: status and maximum concentration
INCI BUTYLPHENYL METHYLPROPIONAL · CAS 80-54-6, 75166-31-3, 75166-30-2
EU status: Prohibitedtraces only if unavoidable
Data from Certo’s regulatory database as of
Some rows corrected against the legal texts on
The short answer
Butylphenyl methylpropional (lilial) is prohibited in cosmetic products sold in the European Union (traces only if unavoidable). The ban is set in Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009, Annex II, entry 1666. Article 17 of that Regulation tolerates only non-intended traces that are technically unavoidable, provided the product stays safe.
EU legal requirements
| Product type or use | Limit | Conditions and label wording | Applies from |
|---|---|---|---|
| EU Cosmetics Regulation, Annex II 1666 Legal text | |||
| Added on purpose | Not allowed | — | In force |
| EU Cosmetics Regulation, Art. 17 Legal text | |||
| A trace only | — | Tolerated only as a non-intended trace (from impurities, manufacturing, storage or migration from packaging) that is technically unavoidable under good manufacturing practice, and only if the product remains safe (Article 3). The product safety report must contain evidence of that unavoidability (Annex I, Part A, point 4). | In force |
Standards, advice and watch lists
| Product type or use | Limit | Conditions and label wording | Applies from |
|---|---|---|---|
| REACH candidate list (SVHC), Candidate List Source | |||
| ECHA Candidate List of SVHC: 2-(4-tert-butylbenzyl)propionaldehyde and its individual stereoisomers, included 08-Jul-2021 | |||
| Endocrine-disruptor lists (national authorities), ED List II Source | |||
| Endocrine Disruptor Lists, List II (latest update 2026/04), row 50 | |||
| ECHA classification proposal, CLH (bourgeonal group) Source | |||
| ECHA Registry of CLH intentions until outcome: 3-(4-tert-butylphenyl)propionaldehyde (bourgeonal) and related compounds, RAC opinion of 28-Nov-2024 | |||
What the texts say
1666 | 2-(4-tert-butylbenzyl) propionaldehyde | 80-54-6 | 201-289-8
In the case of traces of prohibited substances, evidence for their technical unavoidability.
2-(4-tert-butylbenzyl)propionaldehyde and its individual stereoisomers | 08-Jul-2021 | Toxic for reproduction (Article 57c)
Butylphenyl methylpropianol | 80-54-6 | 201-289-8 | Yes | Commission EDC list | 2019 | Cosmetics | List II
3-(4-tert-butylphenyl)propionaldehyde [CAS 18127-01-0]; 4-tert-butyltoluene; 4-tert-butylbenzaldehyde; methyl 4-tert-butylbenzoate | Status: Opinion Adopted | Proposed harmonised classification by the dossier submitter: Repr. 1B, H360Fd | Date of opinion: 28-Nov-2024 | RAC opinion published on 27 October 2025
On the horizon
- Watch: Bourgeonal and related compounds that form the same metabolite as lilial: RAC adopted an opinion on 28 November 2024 on a proposal to classify them as toxic for reproduction (Repr. 1B). Once that classification applies under CLP, Article 15(2) would lead to their ban in cosmetics unless an exception is granted.
Not to be confused with
- Silvial (CAS 6658-48-6): Another fragrance aldehyde: Annex II 1666 names CAS 80-54-6 only.
- Methylenedioxyphenyl Methylpropanal (Helional) (CAS 1205-17-0): Another fragrance aldehyde, not banned.
- 4-tert.-Butyldihydrocinnamaldehyde (CAS 18127-01-0): A fragrance aldehyde restricted by Annex III 155 (0.6 %), not banned today. A classification as toxic for reproduction (Repr. 1B) is pending: see On the horizon.
Sources
- Reg. (EC) No 1223/2009, Annex II, entry 1666 (as amended by Reg. (EU) 2021/1902)
- Reg. (EC) No 1223/2009, Annex I, Part A, point 4; Art. 17
- ECHA Candidate List of SVHC: 2-(4-tert-butylbenzyl)propionaldehyde and its individual stereoisomers, included 08-Jul-2021
- Endocrine Disruptor Lists, List II (latest update 2026/04), row 50
- ECHA Registry of CLH intentions until outcome: 3-(4-tert-butylphenyl)propionaldehyde (bourgeonal) and related compounds, RAC opinion of 28-Nov-2024
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.