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Phenoxyethanol in EU cosmetics: status and maximum concentration

INCI PHENOXYETHANOL · CAS 122-99-6

EU status: Allowedany use, max 1 %

Data from Certo’s regulatory database as of

The short answer

Phenoxyethanol is allowed in cosmetic products sold in the European Union (any use, max 1 %). The binding limits are set in Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009, Annex V, entry 29.

EU legal requirements

What the EU Cosmetics Regulation and REACH require for Phenoxyethanol, entry by entry.
Product type or useLimitConditions and label wordingApplies from
EU Cosmetics Regulation, Annex V 29 — Every use. The maximum counts all phenoxyethanol in the product. Legal text
Every product type≤ 1 %—In force

What the texts say

29 2-Phenoxyethanol Phenoxyethanol 122-99-6 204-589-7 1,0 %
Reg. (EC) No 1223/2009, Annex V, entry 29 (basic act)

Not to be confused with

  • Alkylphenol ethoxylates (e.g. 2-(4-nonylphenoxy)ethanol) (CAS 104-35-8, 2315-67-5): Phenoxyethanols with a C8 or C9 alkyl chain; other substances.
  • Phenoxyisopropanol (CAS 770-35-4): Another preservative, with its own rinse-off-only entry (Annex V 43).

Sources

  1. Reg. (EC) No 1223/2009, Annex V, entry 29 (basic act)

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.