Heptachlor
Heptachlor is listed in Annex II as a prohibited substance for cosmetic products placed on the EU market.
Chemical identity and properties

Heptachlor
Heptachlor is a cyclodiene organochlorine insecticide that is 3a,4,7,7a-tetrahydro-1H-4,7-methanoindene substituted by chlorine atoms at positions 1, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 and 8. Formerly used to kill termites, ants and other insects in agricultural and domestic situations. It has a role as an antibacterial agent, an agrochemical, an antifungal agent, a GABA-gated chloride channel antagonist and a persistent organic pollutant. It derives from a hydride of a 1H-indene. — ChEBI
- IUPAC name
- 1,5,7,8,9,10,10-heptachlorotricyclo[5.2.1.02,6]deca-3,8-diene
- Molecular formula
- C10H5Cl7
- Molecular weight
- 373.3 g/mol
- Exact mass
- 371.818144 Da
- XLogP3
- 4.3
- Topological polar surface area
- 0.0 Ų
- Hydrogen-bond donors
- 0
- Hydrogen-bond acceptors
- 0
- Covalent units
- 1
- Defined stereocentres
- 0
Also known as
16 more reported names
External database identifiers
- ChEBI:CHEBI:34785
- ChEMBL:CHEMBL194400
- EPA DTXSID:DTXSID3020679
- PubMed:40582692
- PubMed:38723972
- PubMed:34516295
- PubMed:32949729
- PubMed:31923579
- PubMed:30719927
- PubMed:28927721
- PubMed:28531659
- PubMed:28385489
- PubMed:27240701
- PubMed:26139245
- PubMed:26022396
Retrieved from NIH PubChem on 2026-09-02 by checksum-valid CAS matching. Chemical properties do not replace the regulatory decision on this page.
Record details
Chemical name
Heptachlor
Chemical / IUPAC name
1,4,5,6,7,8,8-heptachloro-3a,4,7,7a-tetrahydro-4,7-methanoindene
Regulatory information
SCCS opinions
- Opinion concerning Chemical Ingredients in Cosmetic Products classified as Carcinogenic, Mutagenic or Toxic to Reproduction according to the Chemicals Directive 67/548/EECC
- Opinion concerning Chemical Ingredients in Cosmetic Products classified as Carcinogenic, Mutagenic or Toxic to Reproduction according to the Chemicals Directive 67/548/EEC
CMR
| Category | Carcinogenic | Mutagenic | Reprotoxic |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cat. 2 | ✓ | — | — |
Key data
Related records for Heptachlor
Direct matches are limited for this record, so nearby entries from Annex II are shown as well.
Chloromethane (Methyl chloride)
3,5,5-Trimethylcyclohex-2-enone (Isophorone)
Bromomethane (Methyl bromide - ISO)
Nickel; nickel powder [particle diameter<1 mm]
(S)-2,3-Dihydro-1H-indole-carboxylic acid
What Annex II means for Heptachlor
Heptachlor is listed as a prohibited substance under Annex II of EU Cosmetics Regulation 1223/2009 and must not be intentionally added. Article 17 separately addresses unintended small quantities that are technically unavoidable under good manufacturing practice and compatible with the Article 3 safety requirement.
Formulators must screen their ingredients and raw materials to ensure none contain this substance. Suppliers should provide documentation confirming absence when requested.
The page also surfaces 12 related annex records with overlapping identifiers, annex logic or naming patterns.
Compliance checklist
- Verify this substance is absent from all raw materials and finished formulations.
- Request absence confirmation or CoA from raw material suppliers.
- Document the screening result in the Product Information File (PIF).
- This substance has CMR classification. Review the CMR table above and verify current Annex II/III status before use.
Frequently asked questions
Source note for Annex II record Heptachlor
This page summarizes one Annex II record for Heptachlor from public European Commission cosmetic materials and adds linked inventory or identifier matches when available.
Use this record page to review Annex II conditions for Heptachlor, but confirm any final regulatory decision against the current official annex wording and source files.
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