Copper
CI 77400
Copper appears in Annex IV as a positive-list colorant entry for EU cosmetics.
Chemical identity and properties
Copper
Copper is a metal that occurs naturally throughout the environment, in rocks, soil, water, and air. Copper is an essential element in plants and animals (including humans), which means it is necessary for us to live. Therefore, plants and animals must absorb some copper from eating, drinking, and breathing. Copper is used to make many different kinds of products like wire, plumbing pipes, and sheet metal. U.S. pennies made before 1982 are made of copper, while those made after 1982 are only coated with copper. Copper is also combined with other metals to make brass and bronze pipes and faucets. Copper compounds are commonly used in agriculture to treat plant diseases like mildew, for water treatment and, as preservatives for wood, leather, and fabrics. — Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR)
- IUPAC name
- copper
- Molecular formula
- Cu
- Molecular weight
- 63.55 g/mol
- Exact mass
- 62.929597 Da
- 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:28694
- ChEBI:CHEBI:29037
- ChEBI:CHEBI:30052
- EPA DTXSID:DTXSID2023985
- PubMed:27049134
- PubMed:19906252
- PubMed:17531610
- PubMed:14652164
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
Colour index or glossary
CI 77400
Chemical name
Copper
Chemical / IUPAC name
Copper
Color
Brown
Regulatory information
Identified ingredients
Key data
Inventory links for Copper
Related records for Copper
Direct matches are limited for this record, so nearby entries from Annex IV are shown as well.
Copper (nano) [INCI] Colloidal Copper (nano) [INCI]
CI 77491
CI 77268:1
CI 77499
What Annex IV means for Copper
Copper is an approved colorant listed in Annex IV of EU Cosmetics Regulation 1223/2009. Only colorants on this positive list may be used to colour cosmetic products on the EU market.
Some colorants in Annex IV are restricted by product type — for example, prohibited from use around the eyes or in products applied to mucous membranes. Check the product type and conditions fields above before use.
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
- Confirm colorant is used only in permitted product types listed above.
- Record the Colour Index number and CAS identifier in the ingredient declaration.
Frequently asked questions
Source note for Annex IV record Copper
This page summarizes one Annex IV record for Copper from public European Commission cosmetic materials and adds linked inventory or identifier matches when available.
Use this record page to review Annex IV conditions for Copper, but confirm any final regulatory decision against the current official annex wording and source files.
Tools & next steps
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