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InventoryRef 3652228/07/2020

PHENOXYETHANOL

2-Phenoxyethanol

PHENOXYETHANOL is linked to 1 EU annex record on this page. Inventory note: V/29.

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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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MarketEvidence statusRecordsSource language
European UnionEvidence linked
Positive-list entry with conditions
Open this evidence		1English and EU languages
Great BritainEvidence linked
Permitted list with conditions
Open this evidence		1English
CanadaSource mapped
Official source mapped; ingredient rule not imported
0English and French
New ZealandEvidence linked
Permitted list with conditions
Open this evidence		1English
ASEANEvidence linked
Permitted list with conditions
Open this evidence		1English and national languages
ChinaSource mapped
Official source mapped; ingredient rule not imported
0Chinese with selected English material
JapanEvidence linked
Restricted
Open this evidence		1Japanese; official English translation available
South KoreaEvidence linked
Restricted
Open this evidence		1Korean with some English names
United StatesSource mapped
Official source mapped; ingredient rule not imported
0English
AustraliaSource mapped
Official source mapped; ingredient rule not imported
0English
BrazilSource mapped
Official source mapped; ingredient rule not imported
0Portuguese with INCI crosswalks
IndiaSource mapped
Official source mapped; ingredient rule not imported
0English and Hindi
Saudi ArabiaSource mapped
Official source mapped; ingredient rule not imported
0Arabic and English

Chemical identity and properties

PubChem 2D chemical structure for CAS 122-99-6
CAS 122-99-6PubChem CID 31236

Phenoxyethanol

2-phenoxyethanol is an aromatic ether that is phenol substituted on oxygen by a 2-hydroxyethyl group. It has a role as an antiinfective agent and a central nervous system depressant. It is a primary alcohol, a glycol ether and an aromatic ether. It is functionally related to a phenol. — ChEBI

IUPAC name
2-phenoxyethanol
Molecular formula
C8H10O2
Molecular weight
138.16 g/mol
Exact mass
138.068079557 Da
XLogP3
1.2
Topological polar surface area
29.5 Ų
Hydrogen-bond donors
1
Hydrogen-bond acceptors
2
Covalent units
1
Defined stereocentres
0

Also known as

Ethylene glycol monophenyl etherPhenyl cellosolvePhenoxetholPhenoxytolEthanol, 2-phenoxy-2-Phenoxyethan-1-OlPhenoxetolEthylene glycol phenyl ether
16 more reported names
Rose etherPhenoxyethyl alcohol1-Hydroxy-2-phenoxyethaneArosolPhenylmonoglycol ether2-Phenoxyethyl alcoholDowanol EPDowanol EPHGlycol monophenyl ether2-Hydroxyethyl phenyl etherEmeressence 1160Fenyl-cellosolve2-FenoxyethanolFenylcelosolvEmery 6705beta-Hydroxyethyl phenyl ether
Open full PubChem recordPubChem annotations3D structure image
External database identifiers

Evidence from additional scientific databases

NIH PubChem PUG-View
Exact identifier match31236

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: H302: Harmful if swallowed [Warning Acute toxicity, oral]; 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] Source: Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council
  • Precautionary Statement Codes: P261, P264, P264+P265, P270, P271, P280, P301+P317, P304+P340, P305+P354+P338, P317, P319, P330, P403+P233, 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
  • Note: This chemical does not meet GHS hazard criteria for < 0.1% (1 of 4299) of reports. Source: European Chemicals Agency (ECHA)
  • Signal: Danger Source: European Chemicals Agency (ECHA)
  • GHS Hazard Statements: H302 (99.8%): Harmful if swallowed [Warning Acute toxicity, oral]; H318 (13%): Causes serious eye damage [Danger Serious eye damage/eye irritation]; H319 (87%): Causes serious eye irritation [Warning Serious eye damage/eye irritation]; H335 (13%): May cause respiratory irritation [Warning Specific target organ toxicity, single exposure; Respiratory tract irritation] Source: European Chemicals Agency (ECHA)
  • Precautionary Statement Codes: P261, P264, P264+P265, P270, P271, P280, P301+P317, P304+P340, P305+P351+P338, P305+P354+P338, P317, P319, P330, P337+P317, 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 4299 reports by companies from 38 notifications to the ECHA C&L Inventory. Each notification may be associated with multiple companies.; Reported as not meeting GHS hazard criteria per 1 of 4299 reports by companies.; There are 37 notifications provided by 4298 of 4299 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]; H318: Causes serious eye damage [Danger Serious eye damage/eye irritation] Source: NITE-CMC
  • Precautionary Statement Codes: P264, P264+P265, P270, P280, P301+P317, P305+P354+P338, P317, P330, and P501 (click each P-code to see the statement) Source: NITE-CMC
  • Signal: Warning Source: NITE-CMC
  • NFPA Health Rating: 3 - Materials that, under emergency conditions, can cause serious or permanent injury. Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
  • NFPA Fire Rating: 1 - Materials that must be preheated before ignition can occur. Materials require considerable preheating, under all ambient temperature conditions, before ignition and combustion can occur. Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
  • NFPA Instability Rating: 0 - Materials that in themselves are normally stable, even under fire conditions. Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
  • Cosmetic Ingredient Review Finding(s): Safe in the present practices of use and concentration. Ingredient, concentration, and use information are available in documents discoverable at https://cir-reports.cir-safety.org Source: Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR)
  • Toxicity Summary: 2-Phenoxyethanol is a glycol ether. Glycol ethers can produce toxicity following oxidation to the corresponding aldehyde and alkoxyacetic acid by alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH; EC 1.1.1.1) and aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH; EC 1.2.1.3), respectively. (A15201) 2-Phenoxyethanol causes reduction of NMDA-induced membrane currents, indicating a neurotoxic potential for 2-phenoxyethanol. (A15202) Source: Toxin and Toxin Target Database (T3DB)
  • Environmental Bioconcentration: An estimated BCF of 1.5 was calculated in fish for 2-phenoxyethanol(SRC), using a log Kow of 1.16(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 15(SRC), determined from a structure estimation method(2), indicates that 2-phenoxyethanol is expected to have very high mobility in soil(SRC). Volatilization of 2-phenoxyethanol from moist soil surfaces is not expected to be an important fate process(SRC) given an estimated Henry's Law constant of 4.9X10-8 atm-cu m/mole(SRC), based upon its vapor pressure, 0.007 mm Hg at 25 °C(3), and water solubility, 2.6X10+4 mg/L(4). One biodegradation study reported theoretical 2-phenoxyethanol BODs of 2% (5-day), 71% (10-day), and 80% (20-day)(3); a theoretical 20-day BOD of 50%(3) indicates biodegrdaation may be an important environmnetal fate process in soil(SRC). Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
  • Environmental Fate: AQUATIC FATE: Based on a classification scheme(1), an estimated Koc value of 15(SRC), determined from a structure estimation method(2), indicates that 2-phenoxyethanol 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 4.9X10-8 atm-cu m/mole(SRC), derived from its vapor pressure, 0.007 mm Hg at 25 °C(4), and water solubility, 2.6X10+4 mg/L(5). According to a classification scheme(6), an estimated BCF of 1.5(SRC), from its log Kow of 1.16(7) and a regression-derived equation(8), suggests the potential for bioconcentration in aquatic organisms is low. One biodegradation study reported theoretical 2-phenoxyethanol BODs of 2% (5-day), 71% (10-day), and 80% (20-day)(4); a theoretical 20-day BOD of 50% indicates a compound will largely be removed during biological waste treatment(4). 2-Phenoxyethanol is not expected to undergo hydrolysis in the environment due to the lack of functional groups that hydrolyze under environmental conditions(3). 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), 2-phenoxyethanol, which has a estimated vapor pressure of 0.007 mm Hg at 25 °C(2), is expected to exist solely as a vapor in the ambient atmosphere. Vapor-phase 2-phenoxyethanol 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 about 11.8 hours(SRC), calculated from its rate constant of 3.27X10-11 cu cm/molecule-sec at 25 °C(SRC) that was derived using a structure estimation method(3). Monitoring data have shown that 2-phenoxyethanol can be removed from the atmosphere via precipitation such as snow(4). 2-Phenoxyethanol does not absorb at wavelengths >290 nm(5), and therefore is not expected to be susceptible to direct photolysis by sunlight(SRC). Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
  • Consumer Uses: Solvent; Other; Processing aids not otherwise specified; Surfactant (surface active agent); Fragrance; Cleaning agent; Preservative; Not Known or Reasonably Ascertainable; Soil amendments (fertilizers) Source: EPA Chemical Data Reporting (CDR)
  • Industry Uses: Etching agent; Preservative; Not Known or Reasonably Ascertainable; Waterproofing agent; Fragrance; Fixing agent (mordant); Cleaning agent; Plasticizer; Processing aids not otherwise specified; Surfactant (surface active agent); Other; Solvent Source: EPA Chemical Data Reporting (CDR)
  • Cosmetic Ingredient Review Link: CIR ingredient: Phenoxyethanol Source: Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR)
  • Sources/Uses: Used in perfumes, insect repellants, and antiseptics and to produce other organic chemicals; [Merck Index, 7257] Used as a solvent for inks, dyes, and cleaners; [HSDB] Source: Haz-Map, Information on Hazardous Chemicals and Occupational Diseases
  • Industrial Processes with risk of exposure: Metal Degreasing [Category: Clean]; Using Disinfectants or Biocides [Category: Clean]; Textiles (Printing, Dyeing, or Finishing) [Category: Industry] Source: Haz-Map, Information on Hazardous Chemicals and Occupational Diseases
  • Uses: Fixative for perfumes, in organic synthesis; as a bactericide in conjunction with quaternary ammonium compounds Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
  • Uses: Solvent for cellulose acetate, dyes; inks, resins; perfume fixative; bactericidal agent; organic synthesis of plasticizers, germicides, pharmaceuticals; insect repellents Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
  • Uses: MEDICATION Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
  • Uses: Use (kg; approx.) in Germany (2009): >25000; Consumption (g per capita; approx.) in Germany (2009): 0.305; Calculated removal (%): 92.1 Source: NORMAN Suspect List Exchange
  • Uses: 2-Phenoxyethanol is used in many applications such as cosmetics, vaccines and pharmaceuticals as a preservative. It is also used as a fixative for perfumes, an insect repellent, a topical antiseptic, a solvent for cellulose acetate, some dyes, inks, and resins, in preservatives, pharmaceuticals, and in organic synthesis. 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
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 2026-09-02 by checksum-valid CAS matching. Chemical properties do not replace the regulatory decision on this page.

Inventory details for PHENOXYETHANOL

INCI name

PHENOXYETHANOL

Ph. Eur. name

phenoxyethanolum

Description

2-Phenoxyethanol

Record provenance

Inventory reference
36522
Imported identity
PHENOXYETHANOL
Source update
28/07/2020
European Commission CosIng source notes
Annex V Restriction reference
Entry 29

PHENOXYETHANOL

CAS: 122-99-6
EC: 204-589-7

Key data

CAS
122-99-6
EC
204-589-7
Restriction
V/29
Function
ANTIMICROBIAL
Preventing and/or slowing down microbial growth.
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.

#20709 · PHENOXYETHANOL

The 6 markets that hold a rule for this substance do not classify it the same way.

restricted
JapanSouth Korea
permitted on a positive list
European UnionGreat BritainNew ZealandASEAN

See every substance the markets disagree about

Ingredients with overlapping formulation functions

P-CHLORO-M-CRESOLANTIMICROBIAL, PRESERVATIVE
PAPENFUSSIELLA KUROMO EXTRACTANTIOXIDANT, PRESERVATIVE
PHENETHYL PHENOXY METHYLDIHYDROPYRROLOQUINOLINE HCLPRESERVATIVE
PHENOLANTIMICROBIAL, DENATURANT, DEODORANT, FRAGRANCE, ORAL CARE, PRESERVATIVE
PHENOXYISOPROPANOLPRESERVATIVE, SOLVENT
PHENYL BENZOATEFRAGRANCE, PRESERVATIVE
PHENYL MERCURIC ACETATEPRESERVATIVE
PHENYL MERCURIC BENZOATEPRESERVATIVE

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 PHENOXYETHANOL appears in the CosIng inventory

The CosIng inventory lists PHENOXYETHANOL 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.

PHENOXYETHANOL 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

PHENOXYETHANOL 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 PHENOXYETHANOL reads: "V/29". 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, PHENOXYETHANOL carries the following function designation(s):

CAS 122-99-6 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.
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Source note for PHENOXYETHANOL

This page combines the CosIng inventory entry for PHENOXYETHANOL 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 PHENOXYETHANOL 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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