InventoryRef 3389911/08/2020
ETHYLPARABEN
Ethyl 4-hydroxybenzoate
ETHYLPARABEN is linked to 1 EU annex record on this page. Inventory note: V/12.
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.
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| Market | Evidence status | Records | Source language |
|---|---|---|---|
| European Union | Evidence linked Positive-list entry with conditions Open this evidence | 1 | English and EU languages |
| Great Britain | Source mapped Official source mapped; ingredient rule not imported | 0 | English |
| Canada | Source mapped Official source mapped; ingredient rule not imported | 0 | English and French |
| New Zealand | Evidence linked Permitted list with conditions Open this evidence | 1 | English |
| ASEAN | Source mapped Official source mapped; ingredient rule not imported | 0 | 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 | Source mapped Official source mapped; ingredient rule not imported | 0 | 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 | Source mapped Official source mapped; ingredient rule not imported | 0 | English and Hindi |
| Saudi Arabia | Source mapped Official source mapped; ingredient rule not imported | 0 | Arabic and English |
Chemical identity and properties
CAS 120-47-8PubChem CID 8434
Ethylparaben
Ethylparaben is an ethyl ester resulting from the formal condensation of the carboxy group of 4-hydroxybenzoic acid with ethanol. It has a role as an antifungal agent, an antimicrobial food preservative, a plant metabolite and a phytoestrogen. It is an ethyl ester and a paraben. — ChEBI
- IUPAC name
- ethyl 4-hydroxybenzoate
- Molecular formula
- C9H10O3
- Molecular weight
- 166.17 g/mol
- Exact mass
- 166.062994177 Da
- XLogP3
- 2.5
- Topological polar surface area
- 46.5 Ų
- Hydrogen-bond donors
- 1
- Hydrogen-bond acceptors
- 3
- Covalent units
- 1
- Defined stereocentres
- 0
Also known as
Ethyl parabenEthyl p-hydroxybenzoateTegosept EMycoctenEthyl parasept4-Hydroxybenzoic acid ethyl esterAseptoform ENipagin A
16 more reported names
EaseptolEthyl butexNapagin ANipazin ASolbrol ASobrol AEthyl parahydroxybenzoatep-Hydroxybenzoic acid ethyl esterEthyl p-oxybenzoateBonomold OEBenzoic acid, 4-hydroxy-, ethyl esterp-CarbethoxyphenolEthyl-p-hydroxybenzoateMekkings EAseptin AEthyl hydroxybenzoate
External database identifiers
- ChEBI:CHEBI:31575
- ChEMBL:CHEMBL15841
- EPA DTXSID:DTXSID9022528
- PubMed:39532263
- PubMed:37690743
- PubMed:35307500
- PubMed:34101200
- PubMed:33113465
- PubMed:31472229
- PubMed:30481674
- PubMed:29162470
- PubMed:27432241
- PubMed:27286252
- PubMed:25349334
- PubMed:25012808
Evidence from additional scientific databases
NIH PubChem PUG-View
Exact identifier match8434
Attributed physical-property, hazard, environmental and use annotations.
- Boiling Point: 297-298 °C (decomposition) Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
- Boiling Point: 298.00 °C. @ 760.00 mm Hg Source: Human Metabolome Database (HMDB)
- Color/Form: Small, colorless crystals or powder at room temperature Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
- Color/Form: Crystals from dilute alcohol Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
- Dissociation Constants: pKa = 8.34 Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
- LogP: log Kow = 2.47 Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
- LogP: 2.47 Source: Human Metabolome Database (HMDB)
- Melting Point: ofp-hydroxybenzoic acid isolated by acidification and not recrystallised: 213 °C to 217 °C, after vacuum drying in a sulphuric acid desiccator Source: EU Food Improvement Agents
- Melting Point: 117 °C Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
- Melting Point: 116 °C Source: Human Metabolome Database (HMDB)
- Odor: Odorless Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
- Physical Description: Liquid; Other Solid Source: EPA Chemical Data Reporting (CDR)
- Physical Description: Almost odourless, small, colourless crystals or a white, crystalline powder Source: EU Food Improvement Agents
- Physical Description: Colorless solid; [Hawley] Crystalline powder; [MSDSonline] Source: Haz-Map, Information on Hazardous Chemicals and Occupational Diseases
- Physical Description: Solid Source: Human Metabolome Database (HMDB)
- Solubility: In water, 8.85X10+2 mg/L at 25 °C Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
- Solubility: Solubility in water at 25 °C is 0.075% w/w; at 20 °C. 0.70% w/w Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
- Solubility: Solubilities in various solvents [Table#2496] Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
- Solubility: AT 25 °C: 0.5 G/100 G GLYCERIN Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
- Solubility: For more Solubility (Complete) data for ETHYLPARABEN (6 total), please visit the HSDB record page. Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
- Solubility: 0.885 mg/mL at 25 °C Source: Human Metabolome Database (HMDB)
- Vapor Pressure: 0.0000929 [mmHg] Source: Haz-Map, Information on Hazardous Chemicals and Occupational Diseases
- Carcinogen Classification: No indication of carcinogenicity to humans (not listed by IARC). Source: Toxin and Toxin Target Database (T3DB)
- Note: This chemical does not meet GHS hazard criteria for 60.7% (811 of 1336) of all reports. Source: European Chemicals Agency (ECHA)
- Signal: Danger Source: European Chemicals Agency (ECHA)
- GHS Hazard Statements: H304 (33.5%): May be fatal if swallowed and enters airways [Danger Aspiration hazard]; H315 (38.8%): Causes skin irritation [Warning Skin corrosion/irritation]; H317 (34%): May cause an allergic skin reaction [Warning Sensitization, Skin]; H319 (39.3%): Causes serious eye irritation [Warning Serious eye damage/eye irritation] Source: European Chemicals Agency (ECHA)
- Precautionary Statement Codes: P261, P264, P264+P265, P272, P280, P301+P316, P302+P352, P305+P351+P338, P321, P331, P332+P317, P333+P317, 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 1336 reports by companies from 10 notifications to the ECHA C&L Inventory. Each notification may be associated with multiple companies.; Reported as not meeting GHS hazard criteria per 811 of 1336 reports by companies.; There are 8 notifications provided by 525 of 1336 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)
- Note: This chemical does not meet GHS hazard criteria for 100% (2 of 2) of all reports. Source: European Chemicals Agency (ECHA)
- GHS Hazard Statements: Not Classified; Reported as not meeting GHS hazard criteria by 2 of 2 companies. For more detailed information, please visit ECHA C&L website. Source: European Chemicals Agency (ECHA)
- ECHA C&L Notifications Summary: Aggregated GHS information provided per 2 reports by companies from 1 notifications to the ECHA C&L Inventory.; Reported as not meeting GHS hazard criteria per 2 of 2 reports by companies.; There are 0 notifications provided by 0 of 2 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)
- GHS Hazard Statements: H401: Toxic to aquatic life [Hazardous to the aquatic environment, acute hazard] Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
- Precautionary Statement Codes: P273, and P501 (click each P-code to see the statement) Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
- Cosmetic Ingredient Review Conclusion: The CIR Expert Panel concluded that the following 20 parabens are safe in cosmetics in the present practices of use and concentration described in the safety assessment when the sum of the combined concentration of parabens in any given formulation does not exceed 0.8 %...Ehtylparaben.. Source: Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR)
- Cosmetic Ingredient Review Finding(s): Safe for use in cosmetics, with qualifications Source: Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR)
- Toxicity Summary: IDENTIFICATION AND USE: Ethylparaben forms small colorless crystals, or white powder. Ethylparaben inhibits the growth of fungi and bacteria and is used as a preservative for pharmaceuticals, adhesives, and various cosmetic preparations. HUMAN EXPOSURE AND TOXICITY: Ethylparaben was a skin irritant in man. It gave no evidence of sensitizing potential in a human study. The paraben esters as a generic class are rare sensitizers when applied to the intact skin of man. Application to the damaged skin is a more common cause of sensitization. A methyl:ethyl:propylparaben mixture has been shown on oral administration to exacerbate pre-existing skin complaints. ANIMAL STUDIES: Ethylparaben was an eye irritant in rabbits. A low acute oral toxicity has been demonstrated for ethylparaben in laboratory animals. Limited long-term studies in rats have also indicated a low toxicity and have generated no evidence of carcinogenic activity. Ethylparaben in the diet produced cell proliferation in the forestomach of rats. No evidence of mutagenicity was reported in limited Ames Bacterial tests. Ethylparaben did increase chromosomal aberrations in a Chinese Hamster ovary cell assay, but similar effects Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
- Environmental Bioconcentration: An estimated BCF of 20 was calculated for ethylparaben(SRC), using a log Kow of 2.47(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), Koc values ranging from 119 to 209(2) indicate that ethylparaben is expected to have high to moderate mobility in soil(SRC). The pKa of ethylparaben is 8.34(3), indicating that this compound will partially exist in the anion form in the environment and anions generally do not adsorb more strongly to soils containing organic carbon and clay than their neutral counterparts(4). Volatilization of ethylparaben from moist soil surfaces is not expected to be an important fate process(SRC) given an estimated Henry's Law constant of 4.8X10-9 atm-cu m/mole(SRC), using a fragment constant estimation method(5). Ethylparaben is not expected to volatilize from dry soil surfaces(SRC) based upon an estimated vapor pressure of 9.3X10-5 mm Hg(SRC), determined from a fragment constant method(6). Half-lives of about 14 days and 3.5 days were measured in aerobic screening tests conducted with phenol- and cresol-acclimated sludge over 7 day and 1 day incubation periods(7,8), respectively, suggesting that biodegradation may be an important fate process in soil(SRC). Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
- Environmental Fate: AQUATIC FATE: Based on a classification scheme(1), Koc values ranging from 119 to 209(2), indicate that ethylparaben 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 4.8X10-9 atm-cu m/mole(SRC), developed using a fragment constant estimation method(4). According to a classification scheme(5), an estimated BCF of 20(SRC), from its log Kow of 2.47(6) and a regression-derived equation(7), suggests the potential for bioconcentration in aquatic organisms is low(SRC). Half-lives of about 14 days and 3.5 days were measured in aerobic screening tests conducted with phenol- and cresol-acclimated sludge over 7 day and 1 day incubation periods(8,9), respectively, suggesting that biodegradation may be an important fate process in water(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), ethylparaben, which has an estimated vapor pressure of 9.3X10-5 mm Hg at 25 °C(SRC), determined from a fragment constant method(2), will exist in both the vapor and particulate phases in the ambient atmosphere. Vapor-phase ethylparaben 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 one day(SRC), calculated from its rate constant of 1.3X10-11 cu cm/molecule-sec at 25 °C(SRC) that was derived using a structure estimation method(3). Particulate-phase ethylparaben may be removed from the air by wet and dry deposition(SRC). Ethylparaben contains chromophores that absorb at wavelengths >290 nm(4) and therefore may be susceptible to direct photolysis by sunlight(SRC). Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
- Consumer Uses: Not Known or Reasonably Ascertainable Source: EPA Chemical Data Reporting (CDR)
- Cosmetic Ingredient Review Link: CIR ingredient: Ethylparaben Source: Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR)
- Sources/Uses: Used as a preservative for pharmaceuticals, adhesives, and various cosmetic preparations (inhibits fungal and bacterial growth); [HSDB] The parabens (methyl, ethyl, propyl, and butyl) were the most widely used preservatives in cosmetics (0.1% to 0.8%) until their sensitizing potential was recognized; [Marks, p. 115] Source: Haz-Map, Information on Hazardous Chemicals and Occupational Diseases
- Industrial Processes with risk of exposure: Working with Glues and Adhesives [Category: Other] Source: Haz-Map, Information on Hazardous Chemicals and Occupational Diseases
- Uses: For ethylparaben (USEPA/OPP Pesticide Code: 061202) there are 0 labels match. /SRP: Not registered for current use in the U.S., but approved pesticide uses may change periodically and so federal, state and local authorities must be consulted for currently approved uses./ Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
- Uses: Antimicrobial preservative for pharmaceuticals. Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
- Uses: Ethyl paraben ... inhibits the growth of fungi and bacteria and is used as a preservative for pharmaceuticals, adhesives, and various cosmetic preparations. Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
- Uses: ... Antibacterials that prevent /food spoilage by/ Clostridium botulinum include ... parabens ... /Parabens/ Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
- Uses: Ethylparaben is found in alcoholic beverages. Source: Toxin and Toxin Target Database (T3DB)
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 2026-09-02 by checksum-valid CAS matching. Chemical properties do not replace the regulatory decision on this page.
Inventory details for ETHYLPARABEN
INCI name
ETHYLPARABEN
INN name
ethylparaben
Description
Ethyl 4-hydroxybenzoate
Record provenance
- Inventory reference
- 33899
- Imported identity
- ETHYLPARABEN
- Source update
- 11/08/2020
Annex records for ETHYLPARABEN
Annex V
Restriction reference
Entry 12
4-HYDROXYBENZOIC ACID / METHYLPARABEN /POTASSIUM ETHYLPARABEN /POTASSIUM PARABEN /SODIUM METHYLPARA…
CAS: 99-96-7 /99-76-3 /36457-19-9 /16782-08-4 /5026-62-0 /35285-68-8 /120-47-8 /114-63-6 /26112-0-2 /69959-44-0
EC: 202-804-9 /202-785-7 /253-048-1 /240-830-2 /225-714-1 /252-487-6 /204-399-4 /204-051-1 /247-464-2 /274-235-4
Key data
CAS
EC
Restriction
V/12
Function
- FRAGRANCE
- Imparting an odour or taste. Creating a perceivable pleasant smell and/or masking a bad smell.
- 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.
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
ECHA CHEM / Information on chemicalsPubChem PUG RESTEU Safety Gate cosmetic product alertsECHA CHEMUS EPA CompToxCosmetic Ingredient Review safety assessmentsFDA Global Substance Registration SystemILO/WHO International Chemical Safety CardsJapan NITE-CHRIPNIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical HazardsOECD eChemPortal
How ETHYLPARABEN appears in the CosIng inventory
The CosIng inventory lists ETHYLPARABEN as a cosmetic ingredient and this page links it to 1 annex record. The inventory entry captures names and identifiers, while the annex record shows where the substance is prohibited, restricted or positively listed in EU cosmetics law.
ETHYLPARABEN is also tagged with 2 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
ETHYLPARABEN appears in the EU CosIng inventory and has linked annex records. Check the annex records above for applicable restrictions, concentration limits and conditions of use. Annex II listing means prohibited; Annex III means restricted; Annexes IV, V and VI mean permitted under specified conditions.
The restriction field for ETHYLPARABEN reads: "V/12". This is the restriction note recorded in the CosIng inventory for this ingredient. For authoritative conditions and limits, always refer to the linked annex entries above.
According to the EU CosIng inventory, ETHYLPARABEN carries the following function designation(s):
CAS 120-47-8 may appear across multiple EU annex records. Viewing the CAS lookup page shows all Annex II–VI entries sharing this identifier, which is useful for identifying cross-annex regulatory status of the same chemical substance.
Use the INCI Checker to screen a full ingredient list across selected markets, or compare this substance across all supported market datasets.
Source note for ETHYLPARABEN
This page combines the CosIng inventory entry for ETHYLPARABEN with 1 linked Annex II–VI record from the local dataset built from public European Commission cosmetic ingredient materials.
Use this inventory page to research ETHYLPARABEN 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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