CETRIMONIUM CHLORIDE
1-Hexadecanaminium, N,N,N-trimethyl-, chloride
CETRIMONIUM CHLORIDE is linked to 2 EU annex records on this page. Inventory note: V/44.
Regulatory evidence by market
This matrix separates verified ingredient rules from sources that are mapped but not yet imported. No imported rule does not mean the ingredient is permitted.
Swipe or scroll horizontally to see every column.
| Market | Evidence status | Records | Source language |
|---|---|---|---|
| European Union | Evidence linked Restricted entry found Open this evidence | 2 | English and EU languages |
| Great Britain | Evidence linked Restricted Open this evidence | 1 | English |
| Canada | Source mapped Official source mapped; ingredient rule not imported | 0 | English and French |
| New Zealand | Evidence linked Restricted + Permitted list with conditions Open this evidence | 2 | English |
| ASEAN | Evidence linked Restricted Open this evidence | 1 | English and national languages |
| China | Source mapped Official source mapped; ingredient rule not imported | 0 | Chinese with selected English material |
| Japan | Source mapped Official source mapped; ingredient rule not imported | 0 | Japanese; official English translation available |
| South Korea | Evidence linked Restricted Open this evidence | 1 | Korean with some English names |
| United States | Source mapped Official source mapped; ingredient rule not imported | 0 | English |
| Australia | Source mapped Official source mapped; ingredient rule not imported | 0 | English |
| Brazil | Source mapped Official source mapped; ingredient rule not imported | 0 | Portuguese with INCI crosswalks |
| India | Evidence linked Restricted Open this evidence | 1 | English and Hindi |
| Saudi Arabia | Evidence linked Restricted Open this evidence | 1 | Arabic and English |
Chemical identity and properties

Hexadecyltrimethylammonium chloride
Cetyltrimethylammonium chloride is the organic chloride salt of cetyltrimethylammonium. It has a role as a surfactant. It is a quaternary ammonium salt and an organic chloride salt. It contains a cetyltrimethylammonium ion. — ChEBI
- IUPAC name
- hexadecyl(trimethyl)azanium chloride
- Molecular formula
- C19H42ClN
- Molecular weight
- 320.0 g/mol
- Exact mass
- 319.3005780 Da
- Topological polar surface area
- 0.0 Ų
- Hydrogen-bond donors
- 0
- Hydrogen-bond acceptors
- 1
- Covalent units
- 2
- Defined stereocentres
- 0
Also known as
16 more reported names
External database identifiers
- ChEBI:CHEBI:53581
- ChEMBL:CHEMBL1895807
- EPA DTXSID:DTXSID6026901
- PubMed:10124
Evidence from additional scientific databases
NIH PubChem PUG-View
Attributed physical-property, hazard, environmental and use annotations.
- Autoignition Temperature: 750 °F (USCG, 1999) Source: CAMEO Chemicals
- Autoignition Temperature: 750 °F /ISOPROPYL ALCOHOL SOLN OF CETYLTRIMETHYLAMMONIUM CHLORIDE/ Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
- Boiling Point: 180 °F at 760 mmHg (isopropyl alcohol) (USCG, 1999) Source: CAMEO Chemicals
- Density: 0.9 at 77 °F (approx.) (USCG, 1999) - Less dense than water; will float Source: CAMEO Chemicals
- Flash Point: 69 °F (USCG, 1999) Source: CAMEO Chemicals
- LogP: log Kow= 3.23 Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
- Physical Description: Hexadecyltrimethylammonium chloride appears as colorless to pale yellow liquid with an odor of rubbing alcohol. Floats or sinks in water. (USCG, 1999) Source: CAMEO Chemicals
- Physical Description: Liquid; CBI Source: EPA Chemical Data Reporting (CDR)
- Physical Description: Solution: Clear to pale yellow liquid; [HSDB] White powder; [MSDSonline] Source: Haz-Map, Information on Hazardous Chemicals and Occupational Diseases
- Solubility: Water solubility: 440 mg/l at 30 °C Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
- First Aid: INGESTION: do NOT induce vomiting; drink large quanities of fluid and call a physician immediately.; EYES: flush with water for at least 15 min. and call a physician.; SKIN: flush with water. (USCG, 1999) Source: CAMEO Chemicals
- Note: This chemical does not meet GHS hazard criteria for 0.5% (5 of 1105) of reports. Source: European Chemicals Agency (ECHA)
- Signal: Danger Source: European Chemicals Agency (ECHA)
- GHS Hazard Statements: H302 (49%): Harmful if swallowed [Warning Acute toxicity, oral]; H311 (28.6%): Toxic in contact with skin [Danger Acute toxicity, dermal]; H314 (41.5%): Causes severe skin burns and eye damage [Danger Skin corrosion/irritation]; H315 (52.3%): Causes skin irritation [Warning Skin corrosion/irritation]; H318 (85.7%): Causes serious eye damage [Danger Serious eye damage/eye irritation]; H335 (44.3%): May cause respiratory irritation [Warning Specific target organ toxicity, single exposure; Respiratory tract irritation]; H400 (99.4%): Very toxic to aquatic life [Warning Hazardous to the aquatic environment, acute hazard]; H410 (40.9%): Very toxic to aquatic life with long lasting effects [Warning Hazardous to the aquatic environment, long-term hazard] Source: European Chemicals Agency (ECHA)
- Precautionary Statement Codes: P260, P261, P262, P264, P264+P265, P270, P271, P273, P280, P301+P317, P301+P330+P331, P302+P352, P302+P361+P354, P304+P340, P305+P354+P338, P316, P317, P319, P321, P330, P332+P317, P361+P364, P362+P364, P363, P391, P403+P233, 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 1105 reports by companies from 42 notifications to the ECHA C&L Inventory. Each notification may be associated with multiple companies.; Reported as not meeting GHS hazard criteria per 5 of 1105 reports by companies.; There are 41 notifications provided by 1100 of 1105 reports by companies with hazard statement code(s).; 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: H302: Harmful if swallowed [Warning Acute toxicity, oral]; H315: Causes skin irritation [Warning Skin corrosion/irritation]; H318: Causes serious eye damage [Danger Serious eye damage/eye irritation]; H335: May cause respiratory irritation [Warning Specific target organ toxicity, single exposure; Respiratory tract irritation]; H400: Very toxic to aquatic life [Warning Hazardous to the aquatic environment, acute hazard]; H410: Very toxic to aquatic life with long lasting effects [Warning Hazardous to the aquatic environment, long-term hazard] Source: NITE-CMC
- Precautionary Statement Codes: P261, P264, P264+P265, P270, P271, P273, P280, P301+P317, P302+P352, P304+P340, P305+P354+P338, P317, P319, P321, P330, P332+P317, P362+P364, P391, P403+P233, P405, and P501 (click each P-code to see the statement) Source: NITE-CMC
- Signal: Warning Source: NITE-CMC
- GHS Hazard Statements: H302: Harmful if swallowed [Warning Acute toxicity, oral]; H315: Causes skin irritation [Warning Skin corrosion/irritation]; H319: Causes serious eye irritation [Warning Serious eye damage/eye irritation]; H335: May cause respiratory irritation [Warning Specific target organ toxicity, single exposure; Respiratory tract irritation] Source: NITE-CMC
- Precautionary Statement Codes: P261, P264, P264+P265, P270, P271, P280, P301+P317, P302+P352, P304+P340, P305+P351+P338, P319, P321, P330, P332+P317, P337+P317, P362+P364, P403+P233, P405, and P501 (click each P-code to see the statement) Source: NITE-CMC
- Signal: Danger Source: Hazardous Chemical Information System (HCIS), Safe Work Australia
- Cosmetic Ingredient Review Conclusion: The CIR Expert Panel concluded the following ingredients are safe in the present practices of use and concentration described in the safety assessment when formulated to be non-irritating...Cetrimonium Chloride... Source: Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR)
- Cosmetic Ingredient Review Finding(s): Safe for use in cosmetics, with qualifications Source: Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR)
- Environmental Bioconcentration: An estimated BCF of 71 was calculated for trimethylhexadecylammonium chloride(SRC), using an estimated log Kow of 3.23(1) and a regression-derived equation(2). According to a classification scheme(3), this BCF suggests the potential for bioconcentration in aquatic organisms is moderate. Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
- Environmental Fate: TERRESTRIAL FATE: Based on a classification scheme(1), an estimated Koc value of 2.2X10+5(SRC), determined from a structure estimation method(2), indicates that trimethylhexadecylammonium chloride is expected to be immobile in soil(SRC). Volatilization of trimethylhexadecylammonium chloride from moist soil surfaces is not expected to be an important fate process(SRC) given an estimated Henry's Law constant of 2.9X10-10 atm-cu m/mole(SRC), using a fragment constant estimation method(3). Trimethylhexadecylammonium chloride is not expected to volatilize from dry soil surfaces(SRC) based upon an estimated vapor pressure of 2.8X10-10 mm Hg(SRC), determined from a fragment constant method(4). Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
- Environmental Fate: AQUATIC FATE: Based on a classification scheme(1), an estimated Koc value of 2.2X10+5(SRC), determined from an estimation method(2), indicates that trimethylhexadecylammonium chloride is expected to adsorb to suspended solids and sediment in water(SRC). Volatilization from water surfaces is not expected(3) based upon an estimated Henry's Law constant of 2.9X10-10 atm-cu m/mole(SRC), developed using a fragment constant estimation method(4). According to a classification scheme(5), an estimated BCF of 71(SRC), from its log Kow of 3.23(6) and a regression-derived equation(7), suggests the potential for bioconcentration in aquatic organisms is moderate. The MITI, closed bottle, and Sturm tests revealed no degradation after 10 days, microbial growth after 17 days, and 84% degradation after 13 days, respectively(8). 10-20 ppm trimethylhexadecylammonium chloride was degraded with a half-life of 3.1 days in freshwater collected from the Ohio river 1 mile below discharge from a municipal treatment plant at 20 °C and pH 6.9(9). 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), trimethylhexadecylammonium chloride, which has an estimated vapor pressure of 2.8X10-10 mm Hg at 25 °C(SRC), using a fragment constant estimation method(2), is expected to exist solely in the particulate phase in the ambient atmosphere. Particulate-phase trimethylhexadecylammonium chloride may be removed from the air by wet and dry deposition(SRC). Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
- Consumer Uses: Cleaning agent; Corrosion inhibitor; Softener and conditioner; Surface modifier; Surfactant (surface active agent) Source: EPA Chemical Data Reporting (CDR)
- Industry Uses: Corrosion inhibitor; Processing aids, specific to petroleum production; Softener and conditioner; Surface modifier; CBI; Processing aids not otherwise specified; Surfactant (surface active agent) Source: EPA Chemical Data Reporting (CDR)
- Cosmetic Ingredient Review Link: CIR ingredient: Cetrimonium Chloride Source: Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR)
- Sources/Uses: Available as a 25% aqueous solution and 50% solution in isopropyl alcohol and water for use in antifungal formulations and hair conditioners; Also used as a disinfectant/germicide, cationic detergent, fermentation aid, dispersant, coagulant for antibiotic production, and antistatic and softening agent for textile finishes; [HSDB] Source: Haz-Map, Information on Hazardous Chemicals and Occupational Diseases
- Industrial Processes with risk of exposure: Using Disinfectants or Biocides [Category: Clean]; Textiles (Printing, Dyeing, or Finishing) [Category: Industry] Source: Haz-Map, Information on Hazardous Chemicals and Occupational Diseases
- Uses: USED IN ANTIFUNGAL FORMULATION; IN HAIR CONDITIONER FORMULATION; DISINFECTANT; CATIONIC DETERGENT Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
- Uses: SOFTENER IN HAIR TREATMENTS, EG, CREME RINSES Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
- Uses: FERMENTATION AID Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
- Uses: GERMICIDE Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
- Uses: For more Uses (Complete) data for TRIMETHYLHEXADECYLAMMONIUM CHLORIDE (6 total), please visit the HSDB record page. 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
| Source | Result | Checked |
|---|---|---|
| NIH PubChem PUG-View | Exact match | 2026-08-31 |
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.
Inventory details for CETRIMONIUM CHLORIDE
INCI name
CETRIMONIUM CHLORIDE
Description
1-Hexadecanaminium, N,N,N-trimethyl-, chloride
Record provenance
- Inventory reference
- 32590
- Imported identity
- CETRIMONIUM CHLORIDE
- Source update
- 10/08/2020
Annex records for CETRIMONIUM CHLORIDE
CETRIMONIUM CHLORIDE (1) / STRARTRIMONIUM CHLORIDE (1)
BEHENTRIMONIUM CHLORIDE (1) / CETRIMONIUM BROMIDE / CETRIMONIUM CHLORIDE (2)/ LAURTRIMONIUM BROMIDE…
Key data
- ANTIMICROBIAL
- Preventing and/or slowing down microbial growth.
- ANTISTATIC
- Preventing and/or reducing static electricity by neutralising electrical charge on surfaces.
- PRESERVATIVE
- Exclusively or mainly intended to inhibit the development of micro-organisms in the cosmetic product. All authorised preservatives are substances in the positive list of Annex V to the Cosmetics Regulation 1223/2009.
- SURFACTANT - EMULSIFYING
- Helping suspensions or dispersions of liquids in a second liquid by reducing the surface tension of the substances to be emulsified.
Official EU ingredient-name evidence
The ingredient name exactly matches the official 2025 EU glossary of common ingredient names.
Related inventory evidence
Ingredients with overlapping formulation functions
Additional official and scientific sources
11 external databases to check this identity in
Each link searches that source for this identity. What each source is, and its legal weight
How CETRIMONIUM CHLORIDE appears in the CosIng inventory
The CosIng inventory lists CETRIMONIUM CHLORIDE as a cosmetic ingredient and this page links it to 2 annex records. The inventory entry captures names and identifiers, while the annex records show where the substance is prohibited, restricted or positively listed in EU cosmetics law.
CETRIMONIUM CHLORIDE is also tagged with 4 cosmetic functions in the official data. Function labels describe intended use, but they do not replace regulatory review of linked annex records before formulation or labelling work.
Frequently asked questions
Source note for CETRIMONIUM CHLORIDE
This page combines the CosIng inventory entry for CETRIMONIUM CHLORIDE with 2 linked Annex II–VI records from the local dataset built from public European Commission cosmetic ingredient materials.
Use this inventory page to research CETRIMONIUM CHLORIDE and compare linked records, but verify restrictions and legal status against the current official source text and law before making regulatory decisions.
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