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Sodium borate

Canada Hotlist: Sodium borate

Health Canada lists this ingredient as restricted; the listed conditions and warnings apply.

All Canada recordsOpen ingredient profileCompare all marketsOpen official source

Regulatory decision and full conditions

Status
Restricted
Legal role
Official guidance
Regulatory summary
Health Canada lists this ingredient as restricted; the listed conditions and warnings apply.
Conditions and restrictions
Synonyms or related compounds: Borax; Sodium tetraborate | See " Boric acid and its salts ".

Substance identity

Official source name
Sodium borate
CAS
1303-96-4
EC
215-540-4
Identity mapping
cas_number
Linked ingredient
SODIUM BORATE
Search this identity across the siteCAS 1303-96-4EC 215-540-4

Linked CosIng identity data

Names and aliases

SODIUM BORATEsodium borateborax

CosIng description: Disodium tetraborate, anhydrous (boric acid, disodium salt); Disodium tetraborate decahydrate (borax decahydrate)

EU inventory restriction note: II/1396

Recorded cosmetic function: BUFFERING

Function pages:BUFFERING

View the complete ingredient profile

Cross-market snapshot for this identity

Exact linked records currently present in this site. An absent market means no imported exact match, not permission to use the substance.

8 market datasets
PubChem 2D chemical structure for CAS 1303-96-4
CAS 1303-96-4PubChem CID 16211214

Verified chemistry for CAS 1303-96-4

Borax (B4Na2O7.10H2O)

IUPAC name
disodium;3,7-dioxido-2,4,6,8,9-pentaoxa-1,3,5,7-tetraborabicyclo[3.3.1]nonane;decahydrate
Molecular formula
B4H20Na2O17
Molecular weight
381.4 g/mol
Exact mass
382.0868084 Da
Monoisotopic mass
382.0868084 Da
Topological polar surface area
102.0 Ų
Molecular complexity
121.0
Formal charge
0
Hydrogen-bond donors
10
Hydrogen-bond acceptors
17
Rotatable bonds
0
Heavy atoms
23
Covalent units
13

Names and synonyms reported to PubChem

BORAXBorax decahydrateSodium borate decahydrateSodium pyroborate decahydrateAntipyoninBorascuBoricinSolubor
16 more reported names
TronaborJaikinNeoborBuraGerstley borateGertley borateBoro-spray91MBZ8H3QODisodium tetraborate decahydrateSodium borate, decahydrateSodium biborate decahydrateBoric acid (H2B4O7), disodium salt, decahydrateBoron sodium oxide (B4Na2O7), decahydratesodium diboratesodium meta borateBorax 200ck
Open full PubChem recordSafety and hazards at PubChemPubChem annotationsChemical classifications3D structure image
External database identifiers
Advanced structure statistics
Defined atom stereocentres
0
Undefined atom stereocentres
0
Defined bond stereocentres
0
Undefined bond stereocentres
0
3D conformers
0
Machine-readable structure identifiers
SMILES
B1(OB2OB(OB(O1)O2)[O-])[O-].O.O.O.O.O.O.O.O.O.O.[Na+].[Na+]
InChI
InChI=1S/B4O7.2Na.10H2O/c5-1-7-3-9-2(6)10-4(8-1)11-3;;;;;;;;;;;;/h;;;10*1H2/q-2;2*+1;;;;;;;;;;
InChIKey
CDMADVZSLOHIFP-UHFFFAOYSA-N

Evidence from additional scientific databases

NIH PubChem PUG-View
Exact identifier match16211214

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

  • 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: Soap wash - If this chemical contacts the skin, wash the contaminated skin with soap and water.; 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: H360FD: May damage fertility; May damage the unborn child [Danger Reproductive toxicity] Source: Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council
  • Precautionary Statement Codes: P203, P280, P318, 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 2865) of reports. Source: European Chemicals Agency (ECHA)
  • Signal: Danger Source: European Chemicals Agency (ECHA)
  • GHS Hazard Statements: H319 (12.6%): Causes serious eye irritation [Warning Serious eye damage/eye irritation]; H360 (93.2%): May damage fertility or the unborn child [Danger Reproductive toxicity] Source: European Chemicals Agency (ECHA)
  • Precautionary Statement Codes: P203, P264+P265, P280, P305+P351+P338, P318, P337+P317, 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 2865 reports by companies from 31 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 2865 reports by companies.; There are 30 notifications provided by 2864 of 2865 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: 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]; H360: May damage fertility or the unborn child [Danger Reproductive toxicity]; H370: Causes damage to organs [Danger Specific target organ toxicity, single exposure]; H372: Causes damage to organs through prolonged or repeated exposure [Danger Specific target organ toxicity, repeated exposure]; H413: May cause long lasting harmful effects to aquatic life [Hazardous to the aquatic environment, long-term hazard] Source: NITE-CMC
  • Precautionary Statement Codes: P203, P260, P261, P264, P264+P265, P270, P271, P273, P280, P302+P352, P304+P340, P305+P351+P338, P308+P316, P318, P319, P321, P332+P317, P337+P317, P362+P364, P403+P233, P405, and P501 (click each P-code to see the statement) Source: NITE-CMC
  • GHS Hazard Statements: H303: May be 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]; H361: Suspected of damaging fertility or the unborn child [Warning Reproductive toxicity]; H370: Causes damage to organs [Danger Specific target organ toxicity, single exposure]; H372: Causes damage to organs through prolonged or repeated exposure [Danger Specific target organ toxicity, repeated exposure]; H373: May causes damage to organs through prolonged or repeated exposure [Warning Specific target organ toxicity, repeated exposure] Source: NITE-CMC
  • Cosmetic Ingredient Review Conclusion: The Expert Panel concludes that Sodium Borate and Boric Acid, in concentrations less than or equal to 5 percent, are safe as cosmetic ingredients when used as currently recommended; however, cosmetic formulations containing free Sodium Borate or Boric Acid at this concentration should not be used on infant skin or injured skin. Note: In 2003, the CIR Expert Panel considered available new data on these ingredients and reaffirmed the above conclusion. Source: Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR)
  • Cosmetic Ingredient Review Finding(s): Safe for use in cosmetics, with qualifications Source: Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR)
  • Environmental Bioconcentration: In a greenhouse experiment with sandy loam soil treated with 0-8.0 ppm boron as borax, boron toxicity symptoms appeared earliest in lentil plants and barley seedlings exposed to 8.0 ppm boron. In barley the severity of boron toxicity decreased with the decrease in boron levels, whereas in lentil the severity of the symptoms eventually reached the same level in 2 and 4 ppm boron treatments as with the highest concentration. Dry matter yield decreased 38.6% in lentil and 23.4% in barley exposed to 8.0 ppm boron in comparison with controls. Boron contents of lentil and barley plants on soil treated with 8 ppm boron were approximately 7- and approximately 8-fold those of control plants, respectively. Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
  • Environmental Fate: TERRESTRIAL FATE: Boron is naturally occurring and ubiquitous in the environment. No microbial degradation. Disappearance from soil is by washing out. Persistence in soil is about 2 years, depending on rainfall and soil structure. Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
  • Consumer Uses: Other; Adhesion/cohesion promoter; Soil amendments (fertilizers); Not Known or Reasonably Ascertainable; Flame retardant Source: EPA Chemical Data Reporting (CDR)
  • Cosmetic Ingredient Review Link: CIR ingredient: Sodium Borate Source: Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR)
  • Sources/Uses: Used as a preservative, antiseptic and fungicide; also used to manufacture glazes, enamels, soldering fluxes and cleaning compounds and to fireproof textiles and wood; [ACGIH] Boric acid and borates as tablets or powder are used to kill larvae in barns and other insects in houses. Rarely, they are sprayed as herbicides. [EPA: Recognition of Pesticide Poisonings] Used in photo developing bath; [www.ci.tucson.az.us/arthazards/medium.html] Borax (borax decahydrate) is found naturally in some salt lakes and alkaline soils. Boric acid is formed by crystallizing a solution of hydrochloric acid or sulfuric acid and borax. [Hawley] Source: Haz-Map, Information on Hazardous Chemicals and Occupational Diseases
  • Industrial Processes with risk of exposure: Soldering [Category: Heat or Machine]; Using Disinfectants or Biocides [Category: Clean]; Farming (Pesticides) [Category: Industry]; Photographic Processing [Category: Other]; Textiles (Printing, Dyeing, or Finishing) [Category: Industry] Source: Haz-Map, Information on Hazardous Chemicals and Occupational Diseases
  • Uses: For borax (USEPA/OPP Pesticide Code: 011102) 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: Long been used as a mild antiseptic fungicide and as a herbicide ... Total control of vegetation on non-crop land, such as paths, giving long-term control. Also used in insect baits for food stores to control Formicidae. Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
  • Uses: Soldering metals; manufacture of glazes and enamels; tanning; in cleaning compounds; artificially aging wood; as preservative, either alone or with other antiseptics against wood fungus; fireproofing fabrics and wood; curing and preserving skins; in cockroach control. In buffers; as a complexing or masking agent in analytical chemistry. Pharmaceutic aid (alkalizer). Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
  • Uses: Used in ant poisons, for fly control around refuse and manure piles, as a larvicide, in manufacture of glazes, enamels, cleaning compounds, and in soldering metals Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
  • Uses: For more Uses (Complete) data for BORAX (17 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 2026-08-31 by checksum-valid CAS matching. Chemical properties do not replace the regulatory decision on this page.

Official source and provenance

Registered source
Health Canada Cosmetic Ingredient Hotlist
Source reference
Hotlist restricted entry 75
Source record ID
restricted:75
Source version
Health Canada Hotlist 2025-08-13
Source language
English
Translation status
Original is English
Source updated
2025-08-13
Snapshot checked
2026-08-30 04:07 UTC
Validation method
strict HTML tables t1=490 and t2=90
SHA-256
8b52ff573d08373ee90121f6a701b3607e4a3d6fc748a7d56171eb53510af91a

Registered dataset notes

Dataset coverage
Administrative prohibitions, restrictions, conditions and warning requirements
Authority note
Official Health Canada compliance indicator; not a complete safety clearance
Inspect the exact official sourceRegulator guidance

How this record fits the market dataset

580
current Canada records
90
records marked Restricted
580
records from this source version
516
market records with CAS identity

Status distribution

Prohibited: 490Restricted: 90

Condition text is present on 172 of 580 current records. An empty condition field is interpreted according to the record type above; it is never converted into an unrestricted-use claim.

Canada market context

Complete Hotlist snapshot

Coverage version: Health Canada Cosmetic Ingredient Hotlist, 13 August 2025

All prohibited and restricted Hotlist entries, including conditions and warning requirements published in the official list.

Verification checklist

  1. Search English/French names and CAS identifiers.
  2. Apply every restriction, concentration and label warning.
  3. Check Food and Drugs Act/Cosmetic Regulations requirements.
  4. Recheck the current Hotlist before notification or sale.

Official market sources

Verification workflow and record completeness

Before using this result in a compliance decision

  1. Confirm that “Sodium borate” and every CAS/EC identifier refer to the material in your supplier specification.
  2. Search English/French names and CAS identifiers.
  3. Apply every restriction, concentration and label warning.
  4. Check Food and Drugs Act/Cosmetic Regulations requirements.
  5. Recheck the current Hotlist before notification or sale.
  6. Document the source version and recheck the regulator before manufacture, notification or market placement.

Fields available in this record

  • Official substance nameAvailable
  • CASAvailable
  • ECAvailable
  • Separate condition textAvailable
  • Effective dateNot supplied
  • Snapshot hash and methodAvailable

Questions this page answers

This substance is not unrestricted: cosmetic use is subject to the conditions in the cited official record. Check product type, body area, concentration, purity and warning requirements before deciding whether a formulation is compliant.

If this row does not reproduce conditions, open the cited official detail because omission does not mean unrestricted use. The Hotlist is an administrative compliance tool, not an exhaustive safety approval list.

The record cites Hotlist restricted entry 75, source version Health Canada Hotlist 2025-08-13. Open the official source.

No. CAS helps resolve identity, but jurisdictions can classify the same substance differently and can apply different product scopes, limits, warnings and transition dates.

Stable citation

Sodium borate. Hotlist restricted entry 75. Canada. Source version Health Canada Hotlist 2025-08-13. CosIng Checker regulatory record: https://cosingchecker.com/regulations/ca/records/565/

Cite the regulator as the legal authority. This page is a structured evidence index and verification aid, not a substitute for the official text or professional legal assessment.

Interpretation and limits for Canada

This substance is not unrestricted: cosmetic use is subject to the conditions in the cited official record.

Check product type, body area, concentration, purity and warning requirements before deciding whether a formulation is compliant.

How to interpret the legal role

The authority uses this source as compliance guidance; the underlying legislation remains controlling.

Evidence on this page

  • Recorded outcome: Restricted
  • Legal role: Official guidance
  • Source version: Health Canada Hotlist 2025-08-13

What it does not prove

The Hotlist is an administrative compliance tool, not an exhaustive safety approval list.

Further authoritative substance research

These sources can add identity, safety, exposure or hazard context. A link is not evidence that the database contains this exact substance, and none of these sources overrides the market decision above.

Cosmetic Ingredient Review safety assessments

Expert Panel conclusions, assessed ingredient groups, use conditions, dates and report documents

Independent expert review considered by FDA; not a government approval or binding market rule

Research this identity at the source

FDA Global Substance Registration System

UNII identifiers, preferred names, substance types, codes and public substance relationships

Identity registry only; UNII availability does not imply FDA review or approval

Research this identity at the source

ILO/WHO International Chemical Safety Cards

Hazards, symptoms, first aid, storage, incompatibilities and physical properties for covered chemicals

International occupational chemical-safety reference; not cosmetic-use approval

Research this identity at the source

Japan NITE-CHRIP

Chemical identity, Japanese and foreign legal lists, GHS hazards and exposure-related information

Chemical-management evidence; cosmetic status remains governed by the applicable MHLW standard and market rules

Research this identity at the source

NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards

REL, PEL, IDLH, properties, exposure routes, symptoms, target organs, first aid and measurement methods for covered workplace chemicals

US occupational-health guidance and limits; not a cosmetic ingredient decision

Research this identity at the source

OECD eChemPortal

Gateway to authority-owned physical-property, fate, ecotoxicity, toxicity, exposure and GHS records

Discovery gateway; each linked authority remains responsible for its data

Research this identity at the source

US EPA CompTox CTX APIs

API key required for import

DTXSID identity, experimental and predicted properties, toxicity, bioactivity, exposure and environmental data

Scientific and computational evidence; predictions must remain labelled and do not determine cosmetic legality

Research this identity at the source