IngredientsEuropean Union
Propylparaben in EU cosmetics: status and maximum concentration
INCI PROPYLPARABEN · CAS 94-13-3
EU status: Allowedshared caps, nappy-area ban
Data from Certo’s regulatory database as of
Some rows corrected against the legal texts on
The short answer
Propylparaben is allowed in cosmetic products sold in the European Union (shared caps, nappy-area ban). The binding limits are set in Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009, Annex V, entry 12a.
EU legal requirements
| Product type or use | Limit | Conditions and label wording | Applies from |
|---|---|---|---|
| EU Cosmetics Regulation, Annex V 12a Legal text | |||
| Every product type | ≤ 0.14 % as acid, for propylparaben, butylparaben, sodium propylparaben, potassium propylparaben, sodium butylparaben and potassium butylparaben combined | Count together, as acid: propyl- and butylparaben and their salts. | In force |
| Every product type | ≤ 0.8 % as acid, for propylparaben, 4-hydroxybenzoic acid, methylparaben, potassium ethylparaben, potassium paraben, sodium methylparaben, sodium ethylparaben, ethylparaben, sodium paraben, potassium methylparaben, calcium paraben, butylparaben, sodium propylparaben, potassium propylparaben, sodium butylparaben and potassium butylparaben combined | Count together, as acid: 4-hydroxybenzoic acid, methyl-, ethyl-, propyl- and butylparaben, and their salts. | In force |
| Nappy-area leave-on, children under 3 | Not allowed | — | In force |
| Leave-on for children under 3 | — | The label must state ‘Do not use on the nappy area’. | In force |
Proposed changes
| Product type or use | Limit | Conditions and label wording | Applies from |
|---|---|---|---|
| EU Cosmetics Regulation, Draft TBT EU/1219 Draft text | |||
| Draft Commission Regulation notified as WTO G/TBT/N/EU/1219 (notified 8 July 2026), Annex point (5)(a), recital (16) | |||
Standards, advice and watch lists
| Product type or use | Limit | Conditions and label wording | Applies from |
|---|---|---|---|
| Endocrine-disruptor lists (national authorities), ED List II Source | |||
| Endocrine Disruptor Lists, List II (latest update 2026/04), rows 91 to 95: Propyl 4-hydroxybenzoate; Propylparaben | |||
| ECHA classification proposal, CLH Source | |||
| ECHA Registry of CLH intentions until outcome: propyl 4-hydroxybenzoate (Belgium), RAC opinion of 11-Sep-2026 | |||
What the texts say
12a Butyl 4-hydroxybenzoate and its salts Propyl 4-hydroxybenzoate and its salts Butylparaben propylparaben sodium propylparaben sodium butylparaben potassium butylparaben potassium propylparaben 94-26-8 94-13-3 35285-69-9 36457-20-2 38566-94-8 84930-16-5 202-318-7 202-307-7 252-488-1 253-049-7 254-009-1 284-597-5 0,14 % (as acid) for the sum of the individual concentrations 0,8 % (as acid) for mixtures of substances mentioned in entry 12 and 12a, where the sum of the individual concentrations of butyl- and propylparaben and their salts does not exceed 0,14 % Not to be used in leave-on products designed for application on the nappy area of children under three years of age. For leave-on products designed for children under three years of age: ‘Do not use on the nappy area’
the existing entry 12a, which currently regulates Butylparaben together with Propylparaben, should be amended in order for it to apply exclusively to Propylparaben.
Propyl 4-hydroxybenzoate; Propylparaben | 94-13-3 | 202-307-7 | Yes | Commission EDC list | 2019 | Cosmetics | List II List III
Propyl 4-hydroxybenzoate | Submitter: Belgium | Status: Opinion Adopted | Date of opinion: 11-Sep-2026 | Proposed classification: Aquatic Chronic 3, H412; ED ENV 1, EUH430
On the horizon
- Coming: An EU draft would make Annex V 12a cover propylparaben and its salts alone, with the same caps; butylparaben would get its own entry.
- Watch: On ED List II and List III. The REACH substance evaluation by Belgium (2023) concluded that propylparaben is an endocrine disruptor for the environment, with no endocrine-disruption concern for human health.
- Watch: RAC adopted an opinion on 11 September 2026 on Belgium’s proposal to classify propylparaben as an endocrine disruptor for the environment (ED ENV 1, EUH430) and Aquatic Chronic 3. The Commission has not yet decided whether to add it to CLP Annex VI. It is not a CMR classification, so it would not by itself ban propylparaben under Article 15.
Not to be confused with
- Isopropyl-, isobutyl-, phenyl-, benzyl- and pentylparaben (Annex II 1374 to 1378) (CAS 4191-73-5, 4247-02-3, 17696-62-7, 94-18-8, 6521-29-5): Other parabens, all banned; isopropylparaben is not propylparaben.
- Butylparaben and isobutylparaben (CAS 94-26-8, 4247-02-3): Their endocrine-disruptor listings (French AGEC list, REACH Candidate List) are not propylparaben's.
- Propyl gallate (CLP 607-198-00-3) (CAS 121-79-9): A similar name; its Skin Sens. 1 class (may cause an allergic skin reaction) is not propylparaben's.
Sources
- Reg. (EC) No 1223/2009, Annex V, entry 12a (as amended by Reg. (EU) No 1004/2014)
- Draft Commission Regulation notified as WTO G/TBT/N/EU/1219 (notified 8 July 2026), Annex point (5)(a), recital (16)
- Endocrine Disruptor Lists, List II (latest update 2026/04), rows 91 to 95: Propyl 4-hydroxybenzoate; Propylparaben
- ECHA Registry of CLH intentions until outcome: propyl 4-hydroxybenzoate (Belgium), RAC opinion of 11-Sep-2026
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.