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Diethylene glycol

The consolidated GB Cosmetics Regulation lists this record in Annex III.

All Great Britain recordsOpen ingredient profileCompare all marketsOpen official source

Regulatory decision and full conditions

Status
Restricted
Legal role
Binding rule
Regulatory summary
The consolidated GB Cosmetics Regulation lists this record in Annex III.
Conditions and restrictions
As traces in ingredients · 0,1 %

Substance identity

Official source name
Diethylene glycol
CAS
111-46-6
EC
203-872-2
Identity mapping
cas_number
Linked ingredient
DIETHYLENE GLYCOL
Search this identity across the siteCAS 111-46-6EC 203-872-2

Linked CosIng identity data

Names and aliases

DIETHYLENE GLYCOL

CosIng description: 2,2'-Oxydiethanol; DEG

EU inventory restriction note: II/1370 III/186

Recorded cosmetic function: FRAGRANCE, PERFUMING, SOLVENT, VISCOSITY CONTROLLING

Function pages:FRAGRANCE, PERFUMING, SOLVENT, VISCOSITY CONTROLLING

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.

11 market datasets

Great Britain

Current record
ProhibitedRestricted

2 linked records · 1 with specific conditions

Open supporting record
PubChem 2D chemical structure for CAS 111-46-6
CAS 111-46-6PubChem CID 8117

Verified chemistry for CAS 111-46-6

Diethylene Glycol

Diethylene glycol is a hydroxyether. — ChEBI

IUPAC name
2-(2-hydroxyethoxy)ethanol
Molecular formula
C4H10O3
Molecular weight
106.12 g/mol
Exact mass
106.062994177 Da
Monoisotopic mass
106.062994177 Da
XLogP3
-1.3
Topological polar surface area
49.7 Ų
Molecular complexity
26.0
Formal charge
0
Hydrogen-bond donors
2
Hydrogen-bond acceptors
3
Rotatable bonds
4
Heavy atoms
7
Covalent units
1

Names and synonyms reported to PubChem

2,2'-Oxydiethanol2,2'-OxybisethanolDiglycolDiethylenglykolDigolBis(2-hydroxyethyl) ether2-Hydroxyethyl etherGlycol ether
16 more reported names
Ethanol, 2,2'-oxybis-Ethylene diglycolDigenosDicolBrecolane ndgDeactivator EDissolvant APV2,2'-Oxyethanol1,5-Dihydroxy-3-oxapentane3-Oxapentane-1,5-diolDihydroxydiethyl etherTL4N3-Oxapentamethylene-1,5-diolBis(beta-hydroxyethyl) ether2,2'-Dihydroxydiethyl ether3-Oxa-1,5-pentanediol
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 pharmacophore features
5
3D rings
0
3D hydrophobes
0
3D acceptor features
3
3D donor features
2
3D anionic centres
0
3D cationic centres
0
3D conformers
10
Effective 3D rotors
4.0
Machine-readable structure identifiers
SMILES
C(COCCO)O
InChI
InChI=1S/C4H10O3/c5-1-3-7-4-2-6/h5-6H,1-4H2
InChIKey
MTHSVFCYNBDYFN-UHFFFAOYSA-N

Evidence from additional scientific databases

NIH PubChem PUG-View
Exact identifier match8117

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
  • Environmental Bioconcentration: An estimated BCF of 3 was calculated in fish for diethylene glycol(SRC), using an estimated log Kow of -1.5(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 1(SRC), determined from a structure estimation method(2), indicates that diethylene glycol is expected to have very high mobility in soil(SRC). Volatilization of diethylene glycol from moist soil surfaces is not expected to be an important fate process(SRC) given an estimated Henry's Law constant of 2.0X10-9 atm-cu m/mole(SRC), using a fragment constant estimation method(3). Diethylene glycol is not expected to volatilize from dry soil surfaces(SRC) based upon a vapor pressure of 5.7X10-3 mm Hg at 25 °C(4). Diethylene glycol was readily biodegraded in a sandy loam(5) suggesting that biodegradation is an important environmental 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 1(SRC), determined from a structure estimation method(2), indicates that diethylene glycol 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 2.0X10-9 atm-cu m/mole(SRC), developed using a fragment constant estimation method(4). According to a classification scheme(6), an estimated BCF of 3(SRC), from an estimated log Kow of -1.5(7) and a regression-derived equation(8), suggests the potential for bioconcentration in aquatic organisms is low(SRC). Diethylene glycol was biodegraded partially from river water within 7 days at 20 °C, but under winter conditions of river flow and temperature (less than 8 °C) degradation was minimal(9). 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), diethylene glycol, which has a vapor pressure of 5.7X10-3 mm Hg at 25 °C(2), is expected to exist solely as a vapor in the ambient atmosphere. Vapor-phase diethylene glycol 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 17 hrs(SRC), calculated from its rate constant of 3.0X10-11 cu cm/molecule-sec at 25 °C(3). Diethylene glycol degraded 5.5% by light at a wavelength greater than 290 nm over a period of 17 hours(4) and therefore may be susceptible to direct photolysis by sunlight(SRC). Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
  • Consumer Uses: Hydraulic fluids; Plasticizer; Stabilizing agent; Catalyst; Not Known or Reasonably Ascertainable; Corrosion inhibitor; Soil amendments (fertilizers); Adhesion/cohesion promoter; Intermediate; Solvent; Anti-adhesive/cohesive; Anti-freeze agent; Other; Freeze-thaw additive; Lubricating agent; Processing aids not otherwise specified; Monomers; Fuel agents; Heat transferring agent Source: EPA Chemical Data Reporting (CDR)
  • Industry Uses: Fuel agents; Heat transferring agent; Processing aids not otherwise specified; Surfactant (surface active agent); Monomers; Wetting agent (non-aqueous); Other; CBI; Lubricating agent; Freeze-thaw additive; Solvent; Anti-freeze agent; Anti-adhesive/cohesive; Adhesion/cohesion promoter; Intermediate; Emulsifier; Catalyst; Corrosion inhibitor; Filler; Not Known or Reasonably Ascertainable; Hydraulic fluids; Dehydrating agent (desiccant) Source: EPA Chemical Data Reporting (CDR)
  • Sources/Uses: Used as a humectant (tobacco, casein, synthetic sponges, composition corks, glues, gelatin, and paper products), a dehydrating agent (plasticizers, surfactants, and natural gas), a lubricating and finishing agent (wool, worsted, cotton, rayon, and silk), a solvent for vat dyes, an intermediate (triethylene glycol and diethylene glycol dinitrate), a petroleum extraction solvent, and a monomer (unsaturated polyester resins and polyols for polyurethane); Also used in lacquers, cosmetics, antifreeze solutions for sprinkler systems; water seals for gas tanks, brake fluids, lubricants, mold release agents, and inks; [HSDB] Used mainly to produce unsaturated polyester resins, polyols, and polyurethanes; [Reference #1] Source: Haz-Map, Information on Hazardous Chemicals and Occupational Diseases
  • Industrial Processes with risk of exposure: Petroleum Production and Refining [Category: Industry]; Pulp and Paper Processing [Category: Industry]; Painting (Solvents) [Category: Paint]; Working with Glues and Adhesives [Category: Other]; Textiles (Printing, Dyeing, or Finishing) [Category: Industry] Source: Haz-Map, Information on Hazardous Chemicals and Occupational Diseases
  • Uses: Production of polyurethane and unsaturated polyester resins, triethylene glycol; textile softener; petroleum solvent extraction; dehydration of natural gas, plasticizers, and surfactants; solvent for nitrocellulose and many dyes and oils; humectant for tobacco, casein, synthetic sponges, paper products; cork compositions, bookbinding adhesives, dyeing assistant, cosmetics, antifreeze solutions. Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
  • Uses: In antifreeze soln for sprinkler systems; for water seals for gas tank; lubricating and finishing agent for wool, worsted, cotton, rayon and silk; solvent for vat dyes; in composition corks, glues, gelatin, casein, and pastes to prevent drying out. Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
  • Uses: Diethylene glycol is used in gas conditioning and in the permanent antifreeze formulations; as a constituent of brake fluids, lubricants, mold release agents, and inks; as a softening agent for textiles; as a plasticizer for cork, adhesives, paper, packaging materials, and coatings; as an intermediate in the prodn of explosive diethylene glycol dinitrate; and as an intermediate in the production of certain resins, morpholine, and diethylene glycol esters and ethers. Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
  • Uses: In lacquer industry and in cosmetics Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
  • Uses: For more Uses (Complete) data for DIETHYLENE GLYCOL (9 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
Great Britain Cosmetics Regulation — consolidated Annexes II–VI and amendments
Source reference
GB Cosmetics Regulation, Annex III, entry 186
Source record ID
III-186
Source version
2026-08-15
Source language
English
Translation status
Original is English
Effective date
2026-08-15
Source updated
2026-08-19
Snapshot checked
2026-08-30 04:51 UTC
Validation method
legislation.gov.uk XML table parse; {'II': 1758, 'III': 326, 'IV': 154, 'V': 57, 'VI': 34}
SHA-256
e3a386d950f54c6e7a7f9e784d1bd46e52de725137e89d5630709824475215d8

Registered dataset notes

Dataset coverage
Complete consolidated GB Annexes II–VI, with later amendments versioned separately
Authority note
Binding GB schedules and versioned amendments to retained Regulation 1223/2009; applies to England, Wales and Scotland, not Northern Ireland
Source licence
Open Government Licence v3.0 / Crown copyright
Attribution
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
Inspect the exact official sourceRegulator guidance

How this record fits the market dataset

2329
current Great Britain records
326
records marked Restricted
2329
records from this source version
2015
market records with CAS identity

Status distribution

Permitted list with conditions: 245Prohibited: 1758Restricted: 326

Condition text is present on 517 of 2329 current records. An empty condition field is interpreted according to the record type above; it is never converted into an unrestricted-use claim.

Great Britain market context

Complete consolidated annex dataset

Coverage version: GB retained Regulation 1223/2009 schedules, effective 15 August 2026

Current consolidated Annexes II–VI for England, Scotland and Wales.

Verification checklist

  1. Confirm INCI/CAS/EC identity.
  2. Review every current GB Annex II–VI match.
  3. Check commencement dates and later statutory instruments.
  4. Verify SCPN, responsible-person, safety-report and labelling duties.

Official market sources

Verification workflow and record completeness

Before using this result in a compliance decision

  1. Confirm that “Diethylene glycol” and every CAS/EC identifier refer to the material in your supplier specification.
  2. Confirm INCI/CAS/EC identity.
  3. Review every current GB Annex II–VI match.
  4. Check commencement dates and later statutory instruments.
  5. Verify SCPN, responsible-person, safety-report and labelling duties.
  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 dateAvailable
  • 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. No annex match is not approval and does not cover Northern Ireland, which follows the applicable EU framework.

The record cites GB Cosmetics Regulation, Annex III, entry 186, source version 2026-08-15. 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

Diethylene glycol. GB Cosmetics Regulation, Annex III, entry 186. Great Britain. Source version 2026-08-15. CosIng Checker regulatory record: https://cosingchecker.com/regulations/gb/records/6302/

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 Great Britain

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 cited row forms part of a binding rule or legally incorporated list for this market.

Evidence on this page

  • Recorded outcome: Restricted
  • Legal role: Binding rule
  • Source version: 2026-08-15
  • Effective date: 2026-08-15

What it does not prove

No annex match is not approval and does not cover Northern Ireland, which follows the applicable EU framework.

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