IngredientsEuropean Union
Triclosan in EU cosmetics: status and maximum concentration
INCI TRICLOSAN · CAS 3380-34-5
EU status: Allowedlisted products, max 0.3 %
Data from Certo’s regulatory database as of
Some rows corrected against the legal texts on
The short answer
Triclosan is allowed in cosmetic products sold in the European Union (listed products, max 0.3 %). The binding limits are set in Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009, Annex V, entry 25.
EU legal requirements
| Product type or use | Limit | Conditions and label wording | Applies from |
|---|---|---|---|
| EU Cosmetics Regulation, Annex V 25 — Every use, whatever its function. Legal text | |||
| Toothpaste, soaps and shower gels | ≤ 0.3 % | — | In force |
| Non-spray deodorants | ≤ 0.3 % | — | In force |
| Make-up and nail products | — | Allowed only in a face powder, a blemish concealer or a product for cleaning the nails before artificial nail systems are applied, up to 0.3 %. | In force |
| Any other product | Not allowed | Includes mouthwash, allowed up to 0.2 % before these dates; the other products were already excluded. | 1 January 2025 (placing on the market); 1 November 2025 (making available, including existing stock) |
| Toothpaste for children under 3 | 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 3 years of age’. | 1 January 2025 (placing on the market); 1 November 2025 (making available, including existing stock) |
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 113 and 114: Triclosan | |||
| ECHA substance evaluation (CoRAP), CoRAP Source | |||
| ECHA CoRAP substance evaluation list: Triclosan | |||
What the texts say
Reference number: 25 Chemical name/INN: 5-Chloro-2- (2,4- dichlorophenoxy) phenol (22) Name of Common Ingredients Glossary: Triclosan CAS number: 3380-34-5 EC number: 222-182-2 Product type, Body parts: Toothpastes; Hand soaps; Body soaps/Shower gels; Deodorants (non-spray); Face powders and blemish concealers; Nail products for cleaning the fingernails and toenails before the application of artificial nail systems; Maximum concentration in ready for use preparation: 0,3 % Other: Not to be used in toothpaste intended for children under 3 years of age. Wording of conditions of use and warnings: For toothpaste containing Triclosan the following labelling is obligatory: ‘Not to be used for children under 3 years of age’.
Triclosan | 3380-34-5 | 222-182-2 | Yes | Commission EDC list | 2019 | Cosmetics | List II Triclosan | 3380-34-5 | 222-182-2 | Yes | Corap List | 2012 | REACH | List II
Triclosan | 222-182-2 | 3380-34-5 | Evaluating member state: Netherlands | Co-evaluating member state: Denmark | Year: 2012 | Initial grounds for concern: Potential endocrine disruptor; Suspected PBT/vPvB; High (aggregated) tonnage | Status: Follow-up | Latest update: 18-Aug-2021
On the horizon
- Watch: Under evaluation for endocrine disruption: on the Commission's list for cosmetics since 2019, and under REACH since 2012.
- Watch: Under REACH substance evaluation since 2012 (Netherlands, with Denmark) for potential endocrine disruption and suspected PBT/vPvB properties; status: follow-up (last updated 18 August 2021).
Sources
- Reg. (EC) No 1223/2009, Annex V, entry 25 (as amended by Reg. (EU) 2024/996)
- Endocrine Disruptor Lists, List II (latest update 2026/04), rows 113 and 114: Triclosan
- ECHA CoRAP substance evaluation list: Triclosan
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.