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

Dichloromethane
Dichloromethane is a member of the class of chloromethanes that is methane in which two of the hydrogens have been replaced by chlorine. A dense, non-flammible colourless liquid at room temperature (b.p. 40C, d = 1.33) which is immiscible with water, it is widely used as a solvent, a paint stripper, and for the removal of caffeine from coffee and tea. It has a role as a polar aprotic solvent, a carcinogenic agent and a refrigerant. It is a volatile organic compound and a member of chloromethanes. — ChEBI
- IUPAC name
- dichloromethane
- Molecular formula
- CH2Cl2
- Molecular weight
- 84.93 g/mol
- Exact mass
- 83.9533555 Da
- XLogP3
- 1.5
- 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:15767
- ChEMBL:CHEMBL45967
- EPA DTXSID:DTXSID0020868
- EPA DTXSID:DTXSID60166893
- PubMed:34280354
- PubMed:32193761
- PubMed:30503853
- PubMed:30240022
- PubMed:30203046
- PubMed:30114225
- PubMed:29335169
- PubMed:28392392
- PubMed:27418175
- PubMed:25325283
- PubMed:23680158
- PubMed:23493378
Retrieved from NIH PubChem on 2026-08-31 by checksum-valid CAS matching. Chemical properties do not replace the regulatory decision on this page.
Record details
Chemical name
Dichloromethane; methylene chloride
Chemical / IUPAC name
Dichloromethane; methylene chloride
Regulatory information
Identified ingredients
CMR
| Category | Carcinogenic | Mutagenic | Reprotoxic |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cat. 2 | ✓ | — | — |
Key data
Inventory links for Dichloromethane; methylene chloride
Related records for Dichloromethane; methylene chloride
Direct matches are limited for this record, so nearby entries from Annex II are shown as well.
Octamethylcyclotetrasiloxane; D4
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Cis-1-(3-chloroallyl)-3,5,7- triaza-1-azoniaadamantane chloride (cis-CTAC)
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Diboron trioxide; boric oxide
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Boric acid [1]; Boric acid [2]
What Annex II means for Dichloromethane; methylene chloride
Dichloromethane; methylene chloride 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.
This record is linked to 2 CosIng inventory ingredients for name and identifier cross-reference. 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 Dichloromethane; methylene chloride
This page summarizes one Annex II record for Dichloromethane; methylene chloride 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 Dichloromethane; methylene chloride, but confirm any final regulatory decision against the current official annex wording and source files.
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