IngredientsEuropean Union
Triclocarban in EU cosmetics: status and maximum concentration
INCI TRICLOCARBAN · CAS 101-20-2
EU status: Restrictedpreservative or rinse-off
Data from Certo’s regulatory database as of
Some rows corrected against the legal texts on
The short answer
Triclocarban is restricted in cosmetic products sold in the European Union (preservative or rinse-off). The binding limits are set in Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009, Annex III, entry 100; Annex V, entry 23.
EU legal requirements
| Product type or use | Limit | Conditions and label wording | Applies from |
|---|---|---|---|
| EU Cosmetics Regulation, Annex III 100 — Uses other than as a preservative. Legal text | |||
| Rinse-off products | ≤ 1.5 % | — | In force |
| Any other product | Not allowed | — | In force |
| Every product type | — | The product's presentation must show that triclocarban is used for a purpose other than as a preservative. | In force |
| EU Cosmetics Regulation, Annex V 23 — As a preservative. Legal text | |||
| Products other than mouthwash | ≤ 0.2 % | — | In force |
| Mouthwash | Not allowed | Allowed up to 0.2 % before these dates. | 1 January 2025 (placing on the market); 1 November 2025 (making available, including existing stock) |
| Toothpaste for children under 6 | Not allowed | — | 1 January 2025 (placing on the market); 1 November 2025 (making available, including existing stock) |
| Toothpaste | — | The label must state ‘Not to be used for children under 6 years of age’. | 1 January 2025 (placing on the market); 1 November 2025 (making available, including existing stock) |
| EU Cosmetics Regulation, Annex III 100 and Annex V 23 — Every use, whatever its function. Legal text | |||
| Every product type | ≤ 1 ppm (3,3',4,4'-tetrachloroazobenzene), in the raw material | — | In force |
| Every product type | ≤ 1 ppm (3,3',4,4'-tetrachloroazoxybenzene), in the raw material | — | In force |
Standards, advice and watch lists
| Product type or use | Limit | Conditions and label wording | Applies from |
|---|---|---|---|
| Endocrine-disruptor lists (national authorities), ED List III Source | |||
| Endocrine Disruptor Lists, List III (latest update 2026/04): Triclocarban | |||
| ECHA substance evaluation (CoRAP), CoRAP Source | |||
| ECHA CoRAP substance evaluation list: Triclocarban | |||
What the texts say
Reference number: 100 Chemical name/INN: 1-(4-Chlorophenyl)-3-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)urea (12) Name of Common Ingredients Glossary: Triclocarban CAS number: 101-20-2 EC number: 202-924-1 Product type, body parts: Rinse-off products Maximum concentration in ready for use preparation: 1,5 % Other: Purity criteria: 3,3',4,4'-Tetrachloroazobenzene ≤ 1 ppm 3,3',4,4'-Tetrachloroazoxybenzene ≤ 1 ppm For purposes other than inhibiting the development of micro-organisms in the product. This purpose has to be apparent from the presentation of the product
Reference number: 23 Chemical name/INN: 1-(4-Chlorophenyl)-3-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)urea (22) (6) Name of Common Ingredients Glossary: Triclocarban CAS number: 101-20-2 EC number: 202-924-1 Product type, Body parts: All cosmetic products, with the exception of mouthwash. Maximum concentration in ready for use preparation: 0,2 % Other: Purity criteria: 3,3',4,4'-Tetrachloroazobenzene ≤ 1 ppm 3,3',4,4'-Tetrachloroazoxybenzene ≤ 1 ppm Not to be used in toothpaste intended for children under 6 years of age. Wording of conditions of use and warnings: For toothpaste containing Triclocarban the following labelling is obligatory: ‘Not to be used for children under 6 years of age’.
Purity criteria: 3,3',4,4'-Tetrachloroazobenzene ≤ 1 ppm 3,3',4,4'-Tetrachloroazoxybenzene ≤ 1 ppm
Triclocarban | 101-20-2 | 202-924-1 | Yes | Commission EDC list | 2019 | Cosmetics | List III Triclocarban | 101-20-2 | 202-924-1 | List III National Authority evaluation | 2020 | | List III Triclocarban | 101-20-2 | 202-924-1 | Corap List | 2019 | REACH | List III
Triclocarban | 202-924-1 | 101-20-2 | Evaluating member state: France | Year: 2019 | Initial grounds for concern: Suspected Reprotoxic; Potential endocrine disruptor | Status: Concluded | Latest update: 25-Nov-2020
On the horizon
- Watch: On ED List III since 2020: identified as an endocrine disruptor by a participating national authority.
- Watch: REACH substance evaluation by France (2019), for suspected reproductive toxicity and endocrine disruption, concluded in November 2020.
Sources
- Reg. (EC) No 1223/2009, Annex III, entry 100
- Reg. (EC) No 1223/2009, Annex V, entry 23 (as amended by Reg. (EU) 2024/996)
- Endocrine Disruptor Lists, List III (latest update 2026/04): Triclocarban
- ECHA CoRAP substance evaluation list: Triclocarban
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.