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

Dibutyl Phthalate
Dibutyl phthalate is a phthalate ester that is the diester obtained by the formal condensation of the carboxy groups of phthalic acid with two molecules of butan-1-ol. Although used extensively as a plasticiser, it is a ubiquitous environmental contaminant that poses a risk to humans. It has a role as a metabolite, a teratogenic agent, an EC 3.2.1.20 (alpha-glucosidase) inhibitor, an environmental contaminant and a plasticiser. It is a phthalate ester and a diester. It is functionally related to a butan-1-ol. — ChEBI
- IUPAC name
- dibutyl benzene-1,2-dicarboxylate
- Molecular formula
- C16H22O4
- Molecular weight
- 278.34 g/mol
- Exact mass
- 278.15180918 Da
- XLogP3
- 4.7
- Topological polar surface area
- 52.6 Ų
- Hydrogen-bond donors
- 0
- Hydrogen-bond acceptors
- 4
- Covalent units
- 1
- Defined stereocentres
- 0
Also known as
16 more reported names
External database identifiers
- ChEBI:CHEBI:34687
- ChEMBL:CHEMBL272485
- EPA DTXSID:DTXSID2021781
- PubMed:23065997
- PubMed:23022116
- PubMed:22985986
- PubMed:22975441
- PubMed:22953188
- PubMed:22945567
- PubMed:22935519
- PubMed:22923660
- PubMed:22885666
- PubMed:22864157
- PubMed:22845555
- PubMed:22841106
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
Dibutyl phthalate
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 on Dibutylphthalate
- Opinion concerning Chemical Ingredients in Cosmetic Products classified as Carcinogenic, Mutagenic or Toxic to Reproduction according to the Chemicals Directive 67/548/EEC
Identified ingredients
CMR
| Category | Carcinogenic | Mutagenic | Reprotoxic |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cat. 1B | — | — | ✓ |
| Cat. 2 | — | — | ✓ |
Key data
Inventory links for Dibutyl phthalate
Related records for Dibutyl phthalate
Direct matches are limited for this record, so nearby entries from Annex II are shown as well.
bis(2-Methoxyethyl) ether (Dimethoxydiglycol)
bis(2-Ethylhexyl) phthalate; (Diethylhexyl phthalate)
bis(2-Methoxyethyl) phthalate
2-Ethylhexyl[[[3,5-bis(1,1-dimethylethyl)-4-hydroxyphenyl]-methyl]thio]acetate
Acrylamide, unless regulated elsewhere in this Regulation
What Annex II means for Dibutyl phthalate
Dibutyl phthalate 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
Source note for Annex II record Dibutyl phthalate
This page summarizes one Annex II record for Dibutyl phthalate 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 Dibutyl phthalate, but confirm any final regulatory decision against the current official annex wording and source files.
Tools & next steps
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