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InventoryRef 3789015/10/2010

SODIUM HYDROXIDE

Sodium hydroxide

SODIUM HYDROXIDE is linked to 1 EU annex record on this page. Inventory note: III/15a.

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
Restricted entry found
Open this evidence
1English and EU languages
Great BritainSource mapped
Official source mapped; ingredient rule not imported
0English
CanadaSource mapped
Official source mapped; ingredient rule not imported
0English and French
New ZealandEvidence linked
Restricted
Open this evidence
1English
ASEANSource mapped
Official source mapped; ingredient rule not imported
0English and national languages
ChinaSource mapped
Official source mapped; ingredient rule not imported
0Chinese with selected English material
JapanSource mapped
Official source mapped; ingredient rule not imported
0Japanese; official English translation available
South KoreaSource mapped
Official source mapped; ingredient rule not imported
0Korean 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 1310-73-2
CAS 1310-73-2PubChem CID 14798

Sodium Hydroxide

Sodium hydroxide is an alkali metal hydroxide. ChEBI

IUPAC name
sodium hydroxide
Molecular formula
HNaO
Molecular weight
39.997 g/mol
Exact mass
39.99250893 Da
Topological polar surface area
1.0 Ų
Hydrogen-bond donors
1
Hydrogen-bond acceptors
1
Covalent units
2
Defined stereocentres
0

Also known as

Caustic sodaSodium hydrateAetznatronSoda lyeWhite causticSoda, causticNatriumhydroxidRohrputz
16 more reported names
PlungCollo-GrillreinCollo-TapettaFuers RohrRohrreiniger RofixHydroxyde de sodiumSodium hydroxide (Na(OH))NatriumhydroxydeSoda, hydrateSodium hydroxide dimerNatrium causticumSoda, kaustischeLewis-red devil lyeSodio(idrossido di)Sodium hydroxide (Na2(OH)2)Stamperprep
External database identifiers

Evidence from additional scientific databases

NIH PubChem PUG-View
Exact identifier match14798

Attributed physical-property, hazard, environmental and use annotations.

  • Autoignition Temperature: Not flammable (USCG, 1999) Source: CAMEO Chemicals
  • First Aid: (Act quickly); EYES: flush with water at once for at least 15 min.; SKIN: flush with water, then rinse with dilute vinegar (acetic acid).; INGESTION: give water and milk. Do NOT induce vomiting. Call physician at once, even when injury seems to be slight. (USCG, 1999) Source: CAMEO Chemicals
  • First Aid: Excerpt from NIOSH Pocket Guide for Sodium hydroxide:; Eye: IRRIGATE IMMEDIATELY - If this chemical contacts the eyes, immediately wash (irrigate) the eyes with large amounts of water, occasionally lifting the lower and upper lids. Get medical attention immediately.; Skin: WATER FLUSH IMMEDIATELY - If this chemical contacts the skin, immediately flush the contaminated skin with water. If this chemical penetrates the clothing, immediately remove the clothing and flush the skin with water. Get medical attention promptly.; Breathing: RESPIRATORY SUPPORT - If a person breathes large amounts of this chemical, move the exposed person to fresh air at once. If breathing has stopped, perform artificial respiration. Keep the affected person warm and at rest. Get medical attention as soon as possible.; Swallow: MEDICAL ATTENTION IMMEDIATELY - If this chemical has been swallowed, get medical attention immediately. (NIOSH, 2024) Source: CAMEO Chemicals
  • ERG2024, Guide 154 (Sodium hydroxide, solution; Sodium hydroxide, solid): General First Aid:; · Call 911 or emergency medical service.; · Ensure that medical personnel are aware of the material(s) involved, take precautions to protect themselves and avoid contamination.; · Move victim to fresh air if it can be done safely.; · Administer oxygen if breathing is difficult.; · If victim is not breathing:; -- DO NOT perform mouth-to-mouth resuscitation; the victim may have ingested or inhaled the substance.; -- If equipped and pulse detected, wash face and mouth, then give artificial respiration using a proper respiratory medical device (bag-valve mask, pocket mask equipped with a one-way valve or other device).; -- If no pulse detected or no respiratory medical device available, provide continuous compressions. Conduct a pulse check every two minutes or monitor for any signs of spontaneous respirations.; · Remove and isolate contaminated clothing and shoes.; · For minor skin contact, avoid spreading material on unaffected skin.; · In case of contact with substance, remove immediately by flushing skin or eyes with running water for at least 20 minutes.; · For severe burns, immediate medical attention is required.; · Effects of exposure (inhalation, ingestion, Source: Emergency Response Guidebook (ERG)
  • ERG2024, Guide 154 (Caustic soda, solid; Caustic soda, solution): General First Aid:; · Call 911 or emergency medical service.; · Ensure that medical personnel are aware of the material(s) involved, take precautions to protect themselves and avoid contamination.; · Move victim to fresh air if it can be done safely.; · Administer oxygen if breathing is difficult.; · If victim is not breathing:; -- DO NOT perform mouth-to-mouth resuscitation; the victim may have ingested or inhaled the substance.; -- If equipped and pulse detected, wash face and mouth, then give artificial respiration using a proper respiratory medical device (bag-valve mask, pocket mask equipped with a one-way valve or other device).; -- If no pulse detected or no respiratory medical device available, provide continuous compressions. Conduct a pulse check every two minutes or monitor for any signs of spontaneous respirations.; · Remove and isolate contaminated clothing and shoes.; · For minor skin contact, avoid spreading material on unaffected skin.; · In case of contact with substance, remove immediately by flushing skin or eyes with running water for at least 20 minutes.; · For severe burns, immediate medical attention is required.; · Effects of exposure (inhalation, ingestion, Source: Emergency Response Guidebook (ERG)
  • First Aid: (General first aid procedures); Eye: Irrigate immediately - If this chemical contacts the eyes, immediately wash (irrigate) the eyes with large amounts of water, occasionally lifting the lower and upper lids. Get medical attention immediately.; Skin: Water flush immediately - If this chemical contacts the skin, immediately flush the contaminated skin with water. If this chemical penetrates the clothing, immediately remove the clothing and flush the skin with water. Get medical attention promptly.; Breathing: Respiratory support; Swallow: Medical attention immediately - If this chemical has been swallowed, get medical attention immediately. Source: The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
  • Signal: Danger Source: Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council
  • GHS Hazard Statements: H314: Causes severe skin burns and eye damage [Danger Skin corrosion/irritation] Source: Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council
  • Precautionary Statement Codes: P260, P264, P280, P301+P330+P331, P302+P361+P354, P304+P340, P305+P354+P338, P316, P321, P363, 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% (4 of 6949) of reports. Source: European Chemicals Agency (ECHA)
  • Signal: Danger Source: European Chemicals Agency (ECHA)
  • GHS Hazard Statements: H290 (47.5%): May be corrosive to metals [Warning Corrosive to Metals]; H314 (> 99.9%): Causes severe skin burns and eye damage [Danger Skin corrosion/irritation]; H315 (36.5%): Causes skin irritation [Warning Skin corrosion/irritation]; H318 (44.1%): Causes serious eye damage [Danger Serious eye damage/eye irritation]; H319 (36.6%): Causes serious eye irritation [Warning Serious eye damage/eye irritation] Source: European Chemicals Agency (ECHA)
  • Precautionary Statement Codes: P234, P260, P264, P264+P265, P280, P301+P330+P331, P302+P352, P302+P361+P354, P304+P340, P305+P351+P338, P305+P354+P338, P316, P317, P321, P332+P317, P337+P317, P362+P364, P363, P390, P405, P406, 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 6949 reports by companies from 80 notifications to the ECHA C&L Inventory. Each notification may be associated with multiple companies.; Reported as not meeting GHS hazard criteria per 4 of 6949 reports by companies.; There are 79 notifications provided by 6945 of 6949 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: H290 (100%): May be corrosive to metals [Warning Corrosive to Metals]; H314 (100%): Causes severe skin burns and eye damage [Danger Skin corrosion/irritation]; H318 (100%): Causes serious eye damage [Danger Serious eye damage/eye irritation] Source: European Chemicals Agency (ECHA)
  • Precautionary Statement Codes: P234, P260, P264, P264+P265, P280, P301+P330+P331, P302+P361+P354, P304+P340, P305+P354+P338, P316, P317, P321, P363, P390, P405, P406, 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 2 reports by companies from 1 notifications to the ECHA C&L Inventory. Each notification may be associated with multiple companies.; 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
  • NFPA Health Rating: 3 - Materials that, under emergency conditions, can cause serious or permanent injury. Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
  • NFPA Fire Rating: 0 - Materials that will not burn under typical fire conditions, including intrinsically noncombustible materials such as concrete, stone, and sand. Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
  • NFPA Instability Rating: 1 - Materials that in themselves are normally stable but that can become unstable at elevated temperatures and pressures. Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
  • Cosmetic Ingredient Review Conclusion: The CIR Expert Panel concluded that ... Sodium Hydroxide is safe in hair straighteners and depilatories under conditions of recommended use; users should minimize skin contact. These ingredients are safe for all other present practices of use and concentration described in this safety assessment when formulated to be nonirritating. Source: Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR)
  • Cosmetic Ingredient Review Finding(s): Safe for use in cosmetics, with qualifications Source: Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR)
  • Environmental Fate: AQUATIC FATE: In the case of a solid, anhydrous sodium hydroxide spill on soil, ground water pollution will occur if precipitation occurs prior to clean up. Precipitation will dissolve some of the solid (with much heat given off) and create an aqueous solution of sodium hydroxide, which then would be able to infiltrate the soil. However, prediction of the concentration and properties of the solution produced would be difficult. Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
  • Consumer Uses: Adhesion/cohesion promoter; Etching agent; Flocculating agent; Intermediate; Processing aids, specific to petroleum production; Oxidizing agent; Laboratory chemicals; Dye; Cleaning agent; Plasticizer; Stabilizing agent; Soil amendments (fertilizers); Catalyst; Ion exchange agent; Not Known or Reasonably Ascertainable; Processing aids not otherwise specified; Surfactant (surface active agent); Chemical reaction regulator; Fuel agents; pH regulating agent; Bleaching agent; Solvent; Dispersing agent; Anti-freeze agent; Anti-adhesive/cohesive; Other; Lubricating agent Source: EPA Chemical Data Reporting (CDR)
  • Industry Uses: Soil amendments (fertilizers); Ion exchange agent; Catalyst; Diluent; Not Known or Reasonably Ascertainable; Thickening agent; Corrosion inhibitor; Stabilizing agent; Reducing agent; Cleaning agent; Dye; Softener and conditioner; Adsorbent; Defoamer; Intermediate; Anti-scaling agent; Processing aids, specific to petroleum production; Adhesion/cohesion promoter; Etching agent; Flocculating agent; Chelating agent; Leaching agent; Lubricating agent; Other; Sizing agent; CBI; Swelling agent; Anti-freeze agent; Anti-adhesive/cohesive; Solvent; Fuel agents; pH regulating agent; Antioxidant; Bleaching agent; Chemical reaction regulator; Plating agent; Processing aids, not otherwise listed; Processing aids not otherwise specified Source: EPA Chemical Data Reporting (CDR)
  • Cosmetic Ingredient Review Link: CIR ingredient: Sodium Hydroxide Source: Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR)
  • Sources/Uses: Used to neutralize acids, produce sodium salts, hydrolyze fats to make soaps, and precipitate metals; large amounts are used in petroleum refining, rayon production, and rubber reclaiming; [Merck Index # 8627] Also used in metal cleaning, electroplating, processing cotton fabrics, and bleaching; [ATSDR Medical Management] Used in photography (developing bath); [www.ci.tucson.az.us/arthazards/medium.html] In semiconductor manufacturing, sodium hydroxide is used to develop the pattern in the photoresists and also as a wet echant. [CHS, p. 44-5] Caustic soda is used in hide preparation for leather production; [PMID 21938525] Source: Haz-Map, Information on Hazardous Chemicals and Occupational Diseases
  • Industrial Processes with risk of exposure: Acid and Alkali Cleaning of Metals [Category: Clean]; Electroplating [Category: Plate]; Petroleum Production and Refining [Category: Industry]; Semiconductor Manufacturing [Category: Industry]; Smelting Copper or Lead [Category: Industry]; Textiles (Fiber & Fabric Manufacturing) [Category: Industry]; Leather Tanning and Processing [Category: Industry]; Photographic Processing [Category: Other]; Textiles (Printing, Dyeing, or Finishing) [Category: Industry]; Metal Extraction and Refining [Category: Industry] Source: Haz-Map, Information on Hazardous Chemicals and Occupational Diseases
  • Activities with risk of exposure: Textile arts [Category: Hobbies]; Applying metallic patinas [Category: Hobbies] Source: Haz-Map, Information on Hazardous Chemicals and Occupational Diseases
  • Uses: Both oil base and water base fracturing fluids are being used in the fracturing industry. Water base, which includes alcohol-water mixtures and low strength acids, make up the majority of treating fluids. The common chemicals added to these fluids are polymers for viscosity development, crosslinkers for viscosity enhancement, pH control chemicals, gel breakers for polymer degradation following the treatment, surfactants, clay stabilizers, alcohol, bactericides, fluid loss additives and friction reducer. /Hydraulic fracturing/ Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
  • Uses: Hydraulic fracturing uses a specially blended liquid which is pumped into a well under extreme pressure causing cracks in rock formations underground. These cracks in the rock then allow oil and natural gas to flow, increasing resource production. ... Chemical Name: Sodium hydroxide; Chemical Purpose: Adjusts the pH of fluid to maintain the effectiveness of other components, such as crosslinkers; Product Function: pH Adjusting agent. Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
  • Uses: For sodium hydroxide (USEPA/OPP Pesticide Code: 075603) ACTIVE products with label matches. /SRP: Registered for 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: In inorganic chemistry, sodium hydroxide is used in the manufacture of sodium salts, for alkaline ore digestion, and for pH regulation. Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
  • Uses: For more Uses (Complete) data for SODIUM HYDROXIDE (16 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
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 SODIUM HYDROXIDE

INCI name

SODIUM HYDROXIDE

INN name

sodium hydroxide

Ph. Eur. name

natrii hydroxidum

Description

Sodium hydroxide

Record provenance

Inventory reference
37890
Imported identity
SODIUM HYDROXIDE
Source update
15/10/2010
European Commission CosIng source notes

Key data

Restriction
III/15a
Function
BUFFERING
Stabilising the pH of an aqueous medium in a narrow range even if an acid or base is added. Altering and/or maintaining a cosmetic product's pH at the desired level.
DENATURANT
Rendering cosmetics unpalatable. Mostly added to cosmetics containing ethyl alcohol to make it unsuitable for ingestion.

Official EU ingredient-name evidence

The ingredient name exactly matches the official 2025 EU glossary of common ingredient names.

Ingredients with overlapping formulation functions

Additional official and scientific sources

11 external databases to check this identity in

How SODIUM HYDROXIDE appears in the CosIng inventory

The CosIng inventory lists SODIUM HYDROXIDE 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.

SODIUM HYDROXIDE 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

SODIUM HYDROXIDE 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 SODIUM HYDROXIDE reads: "III/15a". 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, SODIUM HYDROXIDE carries the following function designation(s):

CAS 1310-73-2 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 SODIUM HYDROXIDE

This page combines the CosIng inventory entry for SODIUM HYDROXIDE 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 SODIUM HYDROXIDE 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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