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Annex II Entry 182 CMR29/10/2010

Ethylene oxide

Ethylene oxide is listed in Annex II as a prohibited substance for cosmetic products placed on the EU market.

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Prohibited substance— Annex II, EU Regulation 1223/2009
Entry: 182
CMR

Chemical identity and properties

PubChem 2D chemical structure for CAS 75-21-8
CAS 75-21-8PubChem CID 6354

Ethylene Oxide

Ethylene oxide appears as a clear colorless gas with an ethereal odor with a flash point below 0 °F. Liquid less dense than water. Vapors heavier than air. May polymerize exothermically if heated or contaminated. If the polymerization takes place inside a container, the container may rupture violently. Vapors very toxic. Vapors irritate the eyes, skin, and respiratory system. Prolonged skin contact may result in delayed burns. Used to make other chemicals, as a fumigant and industrial sterilant. — CAMEO Chemicals

IUPAC name
oxirane
Molecular formula
C2H4O
Molecular weight
44.05 g/mol
Exact mass
44.026214747 Da
XLogP3
-0.1
Topological polar surface area
12.5 Ų
Hydrogen-bond donors
0
Hydrogen-bond acceptors
1
Covalent units
1
Defined stereocentres
0

Also known as

Epoxyethane1,2-EpoxyethaneOxacyclopropaneDihydrooxireneAnproleneOxidoethaneOxyfumeEthene oxide
16 more reported names
Dimethylene oxideAmproleneAnprolineAethylenoxidMerpolOxiran1,2-EpoxyaethanOxyfume 12T-GasOxirene, Dihydro-EthyleenoxideOxiraanEthoxEtylenu tlenekFEMA No. 2433Rcra waste number U115
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External database identifiers

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

Ethylene oxide

Chemical / IUPAC name

Oxirane

Regulatory information

Regulation

(EC) 2009/1223

See every entry this act set

Other directives

(EC) 2009/790

CMR

CategoryCarcinogenicMutagenicReprotoxic
Cat. 1B✓✓—

Key data

CAS
75-21-8
EC
200-849-9
Annex
II
Entry number
182

Inventory links for Ethylene oxide

Direct matches are limited for this record, so nearby entries from Annex II are shown as well.

Annex II 180
Nearby record in the same annex

Fenozolone (INN)

CAS: 15302-16-6
EC: 239-339-6
Annex II 187
Nearby record in the same annex

Fluanisone (INN)

CAS: 1480-19-9
EC: 216-038-8

What Annex II means for Ethylene oxide

Ethylene oxide 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 1 CosIng inventory ingredient 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

Yes. Ethylene oxide is listed in Annex II of EU Cosmetics Regulation 1223/2009 and is prohibited as an intentionally added cosmetic ingredient. Article 17 provides a narrow exception for unintended small quantities that are technically unavoidable under good manufacturing practice, provided the product remains safe under Article 3.

CAS 75-21-8 is the unique numerical identifier assigned to Ethylene oxide by the Chemical Abstracts Service. In cosmetic compliance work, the CAS number is used to cross-reference the substance across regulatory databases, raw material specifications and safety assessment reports. Multiple EU annex entries may share the same CAS number if the same substance appears under different conditions or in different annexes.

Ethylene oxide has a CMR (carcinogenic, mutagenic or reprotoxic) classification under EU CLP Regulation. Under Article 15 of EU Cosmetics Regulation 1223/2009, CMR substances of category 1A or 1B are prohibited in cosmetics unless specifically permitted. Category 2 CMR substances may be used only if assessed safe by the SCCS. Always verify current annex status and any applicable derogations before use.

Use the INCI Checker tool on this site to paste your full ingredient list (INCI) and scan it against all Annex II–VI entries. The tool highlights any ingredients that match restricted, prohibited or allergen-flagged records. This is useful for rapid compliance screening of finished product formulas or raw material declarations.
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Source note for Annex II record Ethylene oxide

This page summarizes one Annex II record for Ethylene oxide 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 Ethylene oxide, but confirm any final regulatory decision against the current official annex wording and source files.

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