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Annex II Entry 746 CMR15/10/2010

N-Methylformamide

N-Methylformamide 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: 746
CMR

Chemical identity and properties

PubChem 2D chemical structure for CAS 123-39-7
CAS 123-39-7PubChem CID 31254

N-Methylformamide

N-methylformamide is a member of the class of formamides having a N-methyl substituent. It is functionally related to a formamide. — ChEBI

IUPAC name
N-methylformamide
Molecular formula
C2H5NO
Molecular weight
59.07 g/mol
Exact mass
59.037113783 Da
XLogP3
-1.0
Topological polar surface area
29.1 Ų
Hydrogen-bond donors
1
Hydrogen-bond acceptors
1
Covalent units
1
Defined stereocentres
0

Also known as

MethylformamideFormamide, N-methyl-MonomethylformamideN-Monomethylformamiden-methyl-FormamideNSC 3051EK 7011Formic acid amide, N-methyl-
16 more reported names
X 188XPE4G7Y986NSC3051NSC-3051CHEBI:7438formylmethylamineFormamide, N-methylRefChem:830717204-624-6N-FormylmethylamineHCONHCH3Formamide, methyl-methylimidoformic acidN-Methyl-formimidic acid(E)-methylimidoformic acid(Z)-methylimidoformic acid
Open full PubChem recordPubChem annotations3D structure image
External database identifiers

Evidence from additional scientific databases

NIH PubChem PUG-View
Exact identifier match31254

Attributed physical-property, hazard, environmental and use annotations.

  • First Aid: EYES: First check the victim for contact lenses and remove if present. Flush victim's eyes with water or normal saline solution for 20 to 30 minutes while simultaneously calling a hospital or poison control center. Do not put any ointments, oils, or medication in the victim's eyes without specific instructions from a physician. IMMEDIATELY transport the victim after flushing eyes to a hospital even if no symptoms (such as redness or irritation) develop.; SKIN: IMMEDIATELY flood affected skin with water while removing and isolating all contaminated clothing. Gently wash all affected skin areas thoroughly with soap and water. If symptoms such as redness or irritation develop, IMMEDIATELY call a physician and be prepared to transport the victim to a hospital for treatment.; INHALATION: IMMEDIATELY leave the contaminated area; take deep breaths of fresh air. If symptoms (such as wheezing, coughing, shortness of breath, or burning in the mouth, throat, or chest) develop, call a physician and be prepared to transport the victim to a hospital. Provide proper respiratory protection to rescuers entering an unknown atmosphere. Whenever possible, Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) shou Source: CAMEO Chemicals
  • Signal: Danger Source: Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council
  • GHS Hazard Statements: H312: Harmful in contact with skin [Warning Acute toxicity, dermal]; H360D ***: May damage the unborn child [Danger Reproductive toxicity] Source: Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council
  • Precautionary Statement Codes: P203, P280, P302+P352, P317, P318, P321, P362+P364, P405, and P501 (click each P-code to see the statement) Source: Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council
  • Signal: Danger Source: European Chemicals Agency (ECHA)
  • GHS Hazard Statements: H312 (100%): Harmful in contact with skin [Warning Acute toxicity, dermal]; H319 (63.9%): Causes serious eye irritation [Warning Serious eye damage/eye irritation]; H360 (94.1%): May damage fertility or the unborn child [Danger Reproductive toxicity] Source: European Chemicals Agency (ECHA)
  • Precautionary Statement Codes: P203, P264+P265, P280, P302+P352, P305+P351+P338, P317, P318, P321, P337+P317, P362+P364, P405, and P501 (click each P-code to see the statement) Source: European Chemicals Agency (ECHA)
  • ECHA C&L Notifications Summary: Aggregated GHS information provided per 238 reports by companies from 13 notifications to the ECHA C&L Inventory. Each notification may be associated with multiple companies.; Information may vary between notifications depending on impurities, additives, and other factors. The percentage value in parenthesis indicates the notified classification ratio from companies that provide hazard codes. Only hazard codes with percentage values above 10% are shown. For more detailed information, please visit ECHA C&L website. Source: European Chemicals Agency (ECHA)
  • Signal: Danger Source: NITE-CMC
  • GHS Hazard Statements: H312: Harmful in contact with skin [Warning Acute toxicity, dermal]; H319: Causes serious eye irritation [Warning Serious eye damage/eye irritation]; H360: May damage fertility or the unborn child [Danger Reproductive toxicity]; H370: Causes damage to organs [Danger Specific target organ toxicity, single exposure]; H372: Causes damage to organs through prolonged or repeated exposure [Danger Specific target organ toxicity, repeated exposure] Source: NITE-CMC
  • Precautionary Statement Codes: P203, P260, P264, P264+P265, P270, P280, P302+P352, P305+P351+P338, P308+P316, P317, P318, P319, P321, P337+P317, P362+P364, P405, and P501 (click each P-code to see the statement) Source: NITE-CMC
  • GHS Hazard Statements: H303: May be harmful if swallowed [Warning Acute toxicity, oral]; H312: Harmful in contact with skin [Warning Acute toxicity, dermal]; H320: Causes eye irritation [Warning Serious eye damage/eye irritation]; H360: May damage fertility or the unborn child [Danger Reproductive toxicity]; H370: Causes damage to organs [Danger Specific target organ toxicity, single exposure]; H372: Causes damage to organs through prolonged or repeated exposure [Danger Specific target organ toxicity, repeated exposure] Source: NITE-CMC
  • Precautionary Statement Codes: P203, P260, P264, P264+P265, P270, P280, P301+P317, P302+P352, P305+P351+P338, P308+P316, P317, P318, P319, P321, P337+P317, P362+P364, P405, and P501 (click each P-code to see the statement) Source: NITE-CMC
  • Environmental Bioconcentration: An estimated BCF of 3 was calculated for N-methylformamide(SRC), using a log Kow of -0.97(1) and a regression-derived equation(2). According to a classification scheme(3), this BCF suggests the potential for bioconcentration in aquatic organisms is low(SRC). Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
  • Environmental Fate: TERRESTRIAL FATE: Based on a classification scheme(1), an estimated Koc value of 7(SRC), determined from a log Kow of -0.97(2) and a regression-derived equation(3), indicates that N-methylformamide is expected to have very high mobility in soil(SRC). Volatilization of N-methylformamide from moist soil surfaces is not expected to be an important fate process(SRC) given an estimated Henry's Law constant of 2.0X10-8 atm-cu m/mole(SRC), derived from its vapor pressure, 0.25 mm Hg(4), and water solubility, 1.0X10+6 mg/l(5). N- Methylformamide is not expected to volatilize from dry soil surfaces(SRC) based upon a vapor pressure of 0.25 mm Hg(4). N-methylformamide has been shown to biodgrade by microorgansism obtained through soil enrichment(6), suggesting that N-methylformamide may biodegrade in soil(SRC). Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
  • Environmental Fate: AQUATIC FATE: Based on a classification scheme(1), an estimated Koc value of 7(SRC), determined from a log Kow of -0.97(2) and a regression-derived equation(3), indicates that N-methylformamide is not expected to adsorb to suspended solids and sediment(SRC). Volatilization from water surfaces is not expected(3) based upon an estimated Henry's Law constant of 2.0X10-8 atm-cu m/mole(SRC), derived from its vapor pressure, 0.25 mm Hg(4), and water solubility, 1.0X10+6 mg/l(5). According to a classification scheme(6), an estimated BCF of 3(SRC), from its log Kow(2) and a regression-derived equation(7), suggests the potential for bioconcentration in aquatic organisms is low(SRC). N-Methylformamide, present at 400 mg/l, reached 4%, 98%, and 100% of its theoretical BOD in 3 hrs, 3 days, and 7 days, respectively, using an industrial activated sludge inoculum and the Zahn-Wellens test(8). Using the BOD test, N-methylformamide achieved 2% of its theoretical BOD after 5 days(8), suggesting that N-methylformamide may biodegrade in the aquatic environment(SRC). Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
  • Environmental Fate: ATMOSPHERIC FATE: According to a model of gas/particle partitioning of semivolatile organic compounds in the atmosphere(1), N-methylformamide, which has a vapor pressure of 0.253 mm Hg at 25 °C(2), is expected to exist solely as a vapor in the ambient atmosphere(SRC). Vapor-phase N-methylformamide is degraded in the atmosphere by reaction with photochemically-produced hydroxyl radicals(SRC); the half-life for this reaction in air is estimated to be 57 hours(SRC), calculated from its rate constant of 6.8X10-12 cu cm/molecule-sec at 25 °C(SRC) determined using a structure estimation method(3). Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)

Mapped by: Existing checksum-valid CAS to unique PubChem CID match. Retrieved: 2026-08-31. Open source record

Scientific classifications and hazard annotations provide context and do not replace the market-specific regulatory decision shown above.

Additional source coverage and match status
SourceResultChecked
NIH PubChem PUG-ViewExact match2026-08-31

A recorded no-match is useful evidence that the source was checked; it is not a claim that the substance does not exist elsewhere.

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

N-Methylformamide

Regulatory information

Regulation

(EC) 2009/1223

See every entry this act set

SCCS opinions

CMR

CategoryCarcinogenicMutagenicReprotoxic
Cat. 1B——✓

Key data

CAS
123-39-7
EC
204-624-6
Annex
II
Entry number
746

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

Annex II 744
Nearby record in the same annex

Formamide

CAS: 75-12-7
EC: 200-842-0
Annex II 742
Nearby record in the same annex

Thioacetamide

CAS: 62-55-5
EC: 200-541-4
Annex II 740
Nearby record in the same annex

Flusilazole

CAS: 85509-19-9
EC: 617-717-5
Annex II 739
Nearby record in the same annex

Fluazifop-butyl

CAS: 69806-50-4
EC: 274-125-6

What Annex II means for N-Methylformamide

N-Methylformamide 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

Yes. N-Methylformamide 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 123-39-7 is the unique numerical identifier assigned to N-Methylformamide 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.

N-Methylformamide 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 N-Methylformamide

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

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