FORMIC ACID
Formic acid
FORMIC ACID is linked to 1 EU annex record on this page. Inventory note: V/14.
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 | Evidence linked Permitted list with conditions Open this evidence | 1 | 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 | Evidence linked Permitted list with conditions 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 | 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
Formic Acid
Formic acid is the simplest carboxylic acid, containing a single carbon. Occurs naturally in various sources including the venom of bee and ant stings, and is a useful organic synthetic reagent. Principally used as a preservative and antibacterial agent in livestock feed. Induces severe metabolic acidosis and ocular injury in human subjects. It has a role as a metabolite, an antibacterial agent, a solvent, a protic solvent and an astringent. It is a conjugate acid of a formate. — ChEBI
- IUPAC name
- formic acid
- Molecular formula
- CH2O2
- Molecular weight
- 46.025 g/mol
- Exact mass
- 46.005479302 Da
- XLogP3
- -0.2
- Topological polar surface area
- 37.3 Ų
- Hydrogen-bond donors
- 1
- Hydrogen-bond acceptors
- 2
- Covalent units
- 1
- Defined stereocentres
- 0
Also known as
16 more reported names
External database identifiers
- ChEBI:CHEBI:10036
- ChEBI:CHEBI:191874
- ChEBI:CHEBI:232780
- ChEBI:CHEBI:232781
- ChEBI:CHEBI:232866
- ChEBI:CHEBI:232867
- ChEBI:CHEBI:233172
- ChEBI:CHEBI:233467
- ChEBI:CHEBI:233468
- ChEBI:CHEBI:233469
- ChEBI:CHEBI:233757
- ChEBI:CHEBI:234070
- ChEBI:CHEBI:30751
- ChEBI:CHEBI:35748
- ChEBI:CHEBI:36036
- ChEMBL:CHEMBL116736
- EPA DTXSID:DTXSID2024115
- PubMed:23295229
- PubMed:23124456
- PubMed:23124449
- PubMed:23122090
- PubMed:23115171
- PubMed:23105510
- PubMed:23100838
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 FORMIC ACID
INCI name
FORMIC ACID
Ph. Eur. name
acidum formicum
Description
Formic acid
Record provenance
- Inventory reference
- 33949
- Imported identity
- FORMIC ACID
- Source update
- 11/08/2020
Annex records for FORMIC ACID
FORMIC ACID / SODIUM FORMATE
Key data
- FRAGRANCE
- Imparting an odour or taste. Creating a perceivable pleasant smell and/or masking a bad smell.
- pH ADJUSTERS
- Controlling the pH of cosmetic products.
- 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.
The 5 markets that hold a rule for this substance do not classify it the same way.
- restricted
- South Korea
- permitted on a positive list
- European UnionGreat BritainNew ZealandASEAN
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 FORMIC ACID appears in the CosIng inventory
The CosIng inventory lists FORMIC ACID 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.
FORMIC ACID is also tagged with 3 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 FORMIC ACID
This page combines the CosIng inventory entry for FORMIC ACID 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 FORMIC ACID and compare linked records, but verify restrictions and legal status against the current official source text and law before making regulatory decisions.
Tools & next steps
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