Permitted list with conditionsBinding ruleGBOriginal is EnglishOfficial-source import checked

Benzyl Alcohol

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

Regulatory decision and full conditions

Status
Permitted list with conditions
Legal role
Binding rule
Regulatory summary
The consolidated GB Cosmetics Regulation lists this record in Annex V.
Conditions and restrictions
1,0 %

Substance identity

Official source name
Benzyl Alcohol
CAS
100-51-6
EC
202-859-9
Identity mapping
cas_number
Linked ingredient
BENZYL ALCOHOL

Linked CosIng identity data

Names and aliases

BENZYL ALCOHOLbenzyl alcoholalcohol benzylicus

CosIng description: Benzyl alcohol

EU inventory restriction note: III/45 and V/34

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

Function pages:PERFUMING, PRESERVATIVE, 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.

7 market datasets

Great Britain

Current record
Permitted list with conditionsRestricted

2 linked records · 2 with specific conditions

Open supporting record

New Zealand

Permitted list with conditionsRestricted

2 linked records · 2 with specific conditions

Open supporting record

ASEAN

Permitted list with conditionsRestricted

2 linked records · 2 with specific conditions

Open supporting record
PubChem 2D chemical structure for CAS 100-51-6
CAS 100-51-6PubChem CID 244

Verified chemistry for CAS 100-51-6

Benzyl Alcohol

Benzyl alcohol is an aromatic alcohol that consists of benzene bearing a single hydroxymethyl substituent. It has a role as an antioxidant, a metabolite, a solvent and a fragrance. ChEBI

IUPAC name
phenylmethanol
Molecular formula
C7H8O
Molecular weight
108.14 g/mol
Exact mass
108.057514874 Da
Monoisotopic mass
108.057514874 Da
XLogP3
1.1
Topological polar surface area
20.2 Ų
Molecular complexity
55.0
Formal charge
0
Hydrogen-bond donors
1
Hydrogen-bond acceptors
1
Rotatable bonds
1
Heavy atoms
8
Covalent units
1

Names and synonyms reported to PubChem

benzenemethanolphenylcarbinolBenzenecarbinolHydroxytolueneBenzoyl alcoholalpha-ToluenolPhenylmethyl alcohol(Hydroxymethyl)benzene
16 more reported names
Phenolcarbinolalpha-hydroxytolueneAlcool benzyliqueBenzal alcoholMethanol, phenyl-benzylic alcoholBenzylicumhydroxymethylbenzenePhenylcarbinolumUlesfiaAlcohol, BenzylAlcohol bencilicoalcoholum benzylicumFEMA No. 2137NCI-C06111Alcool benzilico
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
3
3D rings
1
3D hydrophobes
0
3D acceptor features
1
3D donor features
1
3D anionic centres
0
3D cationic centres
0
3D conformers
1
Effective 3D rotors
1.0
Machine-readable structure identifiers
SMILES
C1=CC=C(C=C1)CO
InChI
InChI=1S/C7H8O/c8-6-7-4-2-1-3-5-7/h1-5,8H,6H2
InChIKey
WVDDGKGOMKODPV-UHFFFAOYSA-N

Evidence from additional scientific databases

EMBL-EBI ChEBI
Exact identifier matchCHEBI:17987

benzyl alcohol

An aromatic alcohol that consists of benzene bearing a single hydroxymethyl substituent.

Formula
C7H8O
Average mass
108.140 g/mol
Monoisotopic mass
108.05751 Da
Formal charge
0
  • benzyl alcohols — is a (CHEBI:22743)
  • solvent — has role (CHEBI:46787)
  • metabolite — has role (CHEBI:25212)
  • antioxidant — has role (CHEBI:22586)
  • fragrance — has role (CHEBI:48318)
  • antiparasitic agent — has role (CHEBI:35442)
  • solvent — has role (CHEBI:46787)
  • metabolite — has role (CHEBI:25212)
  • antioxidant — has role (CHEBI:22586)
  • fragrance — has role (CHEBI:48318)
  • antiparasitic agent — has role (CHEBI:35442)
  • benzyl alcohols — is a (CHEBI:22743)
Additional curated names
phenylmethanolAlcohol, benzylAlcohol,benzylAlcohol benzylicusalcoholum benzylicumalcool benzyliquealpha-HydroxytolueneAromatic alcoholbenzenecarbinolBenzenemethanolBenzyl alcoholBenzylalkoholbenzylic alcoholE-1519E1519FEMA NO. 2137(hydroxymethyl)benzeneHydroxymethylbenzeneINS-1519INS NO.1519NSC-8044PhenylcarbinolPhenylmethanolphenylmethyl alcoholalpha-toluenol
Cross-references from this source
  • CAS: 100-51-6 — ChemIDplus
  • CAS: 100-51-6 — KEGG COMPOUND
  • CAS: 100-51-6 — NIST Chemistry WebBook
  • REGISTRY_NUMBER: 26514 — Gmelin
  • REGISTRY_NUMBER: 878307 — Reaxys
  • MANUAL_X_REF: 334 — DrugCentral
  • MANUAL_X_REF: Benzyl_Alcohol — Wikipedia
  • MANUAL_X_REF: BENZYL-ALCOHOL — MetaCyc
  • MANUAL_X_REF: C00029811 — KNApSAcK
  • MANUAL_X_REF: C00556 — KEGG COMPOUND
  • MANUAL_X_REF: c0278 — UM-BBD
  • MANUAL_X_REF: C03485 — KEGG COMPOUND
  • MANUAL_X_REF: D00077 — KEGG DRUG
  • MANUAL_X_REF: HMDB0003119 — HMDB

Mapped by: Exact CAS cross-reference in the ChEBI compound record. Source updated: 2021-09-27. Retrieved: 2026-08-31. Open source record

NIH PubChem PUG-View
Exact identifier match244

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

  • Substance: Benzyl Alcohol Source: NTP Technical Reports
  • NTP Technical Report: TR-343: Toxicology and Carcinogenesis Studies of Benzyl Alcohol (CASRN 100-51-6) in F344/N Rats and B6C3F1 Mice (Gavage Studies) (1989 ) Source: NTP Technical Reports
  • Peer Review Date: 11/06/87 Source: NTP Technical Reports
  • Conclusion for Male Rat: No Evidence Source: NTP Technical Reports
  • Conclusion for Female Rat: No Evidence Source: NTP Technical Reports
  • Conclusion for Male Mice: No Evidence Source: NTP Technical Reports
  • Conclusion for Female Mice: No Evidence Source: NTP Technical Reports
  • Summary: Under the conditions of these 2-year gavage studies, there was no evidence of carcinogenic activity of benzyl alcohol for male or female F344/N rats dosed with 200 or 400 mg/kg. Survival in both dose groups of female rats was 50% that of vehicle controls, primarily due to an increased number of gavage-related deaths. There was no evidence of carcinogenic activity of benzyl alcohol for male or female B6C3F1 mice dosed with 100 or 200 mg/kg for 2 years. Source: NTP Technical Reports
  • 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. IMMEDIATELY call a hospital or poison control center even if no symptoms (such as redness or irritation) develop. IMMEDIATELY transport the victim to a hospital for treatment after washing the affected areas.; 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. Whene Source: CAMEO Chemicals
  • Signal: Warning 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]; H317: May cause an allergic skin reaction [Warning Sensitization, Skin]; H319: Causes serious eye irritation [Warning Serious eye damage/eye irritation] Source: Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council
  • Precautionary Statement Codes: P261, P264, P264+P265, P270, P272, P280, P301+P317, P302+P352, P305+P351+P338, P321, P330, P333+P317, P337+P317, P362+P364, 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 4746) of reports. Source: European Chemicals Agency (ECHA)
  • Signal: Warning Source: European Chemicals Agency (ECHA)
  • GHS Hazard Statements: H302 (> 99.9%): Harmful if swallowed [Warning Acute toxicity, oral]; H319 (18.8%): Causes serious eye irritation [Warning Serious eye damage/eye irritation]; H332 (95.3%): Harmful if inhaled [Warning Acute toxicity, inhalation] Source: European Chemicals Agency (ECHA)
  • Precautionary Statement Codes: P261, P264, P264+P265, P270, P271, P280, P301+P317, P304+P340, P305+P351+P338, P317, P330, P337+P317, 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 4746 reports by companies from 43 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 4746 reports by companies.; There are 42 notifications provided by 4745 of 4746 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: H302 (100%): Harmful if swallowed [Warning Acute toxicity, oral]; H312 (100%): Harmful in contact with skin [Warning Acute toxicity, dermal]; H315 (100%): Causes skin irritation [Warning Skin corrosion/irritation]; H319 (100%): Causes serious eye irritation [Warning Serious eye damage/eye irritation]; H332 (100%): Harmful if inhaled [Warning Acute toxicity, inhalation]; H335 (100%): 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, P302+P352, P304+P340, P305+P351+P338, P317, P319, P321, P330, P332+P317, P337+P317, P362+P364, P403+P233, P405, and P501 (click each P-code to see the statement) Source: European Chemicals Agency (ECHA)
  • ECHA C&L Notifications Summary: The GHS information provided by 1 company from 1 notification to the ECHA C&L Inventory. Source: European Chemicals Agency (ECHA)
  • Signal: Warning Source: NITE-CMC
  • 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: IDENTIFICATION: Benzyl alcohol is an aromatic organic alcohol, water-white in color with a faint aromatic odor and a sharp burning taste; it is a preservative, a solvent, and a local anesthetic. It is used in a wide variety of products including photographic developer for color movie films; dyeing nylon filament, textiles, and sheet plastics; solvent for dyestuffs, cellulose esters, casein, waxes; heat-sealing polyethylene films; intermediate for benzyl esters and ethers; bacteriostatic; cosmetics, ointments, emulsions; ball point pen inks; stencil inks. HUMAN EXPOSURE AND TOXICITY: Benzyl alcohol has been found to be irritating to the skin at levels 3% or greater. Patch test with 0.65% benzyl alcohol did not produce irritation of the skin. Benzyl alcohol poisoning can cause the gasping syndrome in neonates. The infants had a typical course of gradual neurologic deterioration, severe metabolic acidosis, the striking onset of gasping respirations, thrombocytopenia, hepatic and renal failure, hypotension, cardiovascular collapse and death. In every infant, unmetabolized benzyl alcohol was identified in the urine. Hypersensitivity reactions may occur after parenteral or dermal exposur Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
  • Environmental Bioconcentration: An estimated BCF of 1.4 was calculated in fish for benzyl alcohol(SRC), using a log Kow of 1.10(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), Koc values of <5(2) and 29(3) indicate that benzyl alcohol is expected to have very high mobility in soil(SRC). Volatilization of benzyl alcohol from moist soil surfaces is not expected to be an important fate process(SRC) given an estimated Henry's Law constant of 3.37X10-7 atm-cu m/mole(4). Benzyl alcohol is not expected to volatilize from dry soil surfaces(SRC) based upon a vapor pressure of 9.4X10-2 mm Hg at 25 °C(5). Utilizing the Japanese MITI test, 94% of the Theoretical BOD was reached in 2 weeks(6) indicating 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), Koc values of <5(2) and 27(3) indicate that benzyl alcohol is not expected to adsorb to suspended solids and sediment(SRC). Volatilization from water surfaces is not expected to be an important fate process(4) based upon a Henry's Law constant of 3.37X10-7 atm-cu m/mole(5). According to a classification scheme(6), an estimated BCF of 1.4(SRC), from its log Kow of 1.10(7) and a regression-derived equation(8), suggests the potential for bioconcentration in aquatic organisms is low(SRC). Utilizing the Japanese MITI test, 94% of the Theoretical BOD was reached in 2 weeks(9) indicating that biodegradation is an important environmental fate process in water(SRC). 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), benzyl alcohol, which has a vapor pressure of 9.4X10-2 mm Hg at 25 °C(2), is expected to exist solely as a vapor in the ambient atmosphere. Vapor phase benzyl alcohol 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 2 days(SRC), calculated from its rate constant of 2.3X10-11 cu cm/molecule sec at 25 °C(3). Benzyl alcohol does not contain chromophores that absorb at wavelengths >290 nm(4) and therefore is not expected to be susceptible to direct photolysis by sunlight(SRC). Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
  • Consumer Uses: Other; Solvent; Solvents (which become part of product formulation or mixture); Insulators; Preservative; Not Known or Reasonably Ascertainable; Fragrance; Cleaning agent Source: EPA Chemical Data Reporting (CDR)
  • Industry Uses: Processing aids not otherwise specified; Flavoring and nutrient; Solvents (which become part of product formulation or mixture); Dispersing agent; Solvent; Foamant; Other; Intermediate; Solvents (for cleaning or degreasing); Hardener; Cleaning agent; Fragrance; Not Known or Reasonably Ascertainable; Filler; Preservative Source: EPA Chemical Data Reporting (CDR)
  • Cosmetic Ingredient Review Link: CIR ingredient: Benzyl Alcohol Source: Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR)
  • Sources/Uses: Used as a preservative, epoxy resin catalyst, and in the photographic developer C-22; [Kanerva, p. 1757] Used as a preservative, solvent, and local anesthetic; [Marks, p. 136] Used as a preservative in drugs for injection; [Kanerva, p. 462-3] Used in flavors and perfumes and as a solvent for inks and dyes; [AIHA] Source: Haz-Map, Information on Hazardous Chemicals and Occupational Diseases
  • Industrial Processes with risk of exposure: Using Disinfectants or Biocides [Category: Clean]; Plastic Composites Manufacturing [Category: Industry]; Photographic Processing [Category: Other] Source: Haz-Map, Information on Hazardous Chemicals and Occupational Diseases
  • Uses: For benzyl alcohol (USEPA/OPP Pesticide Code: 9502) there are 0 labels match. /SRP: Not registered for current 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: The active ingredient is no longer contained in any registered /pesticide/ products ... "cancelled." Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
  • Uses: ... Photographic developer for color movie films; dyeing nylon filament, textiles, and sheet plastics; solvent for dyestuffs, cellulose esters, casein, waxes, etc.; heat-sealing polyethylene films; intermediate for benzyl esters and ethers; bacteriostat; cosmetics, ointments, emulsions; ball point pen inks; stencil inks. Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
  • Uses: Benzyl alcohol is used in cosmetics as a fragrance component, preservative, solvent, and viscosity-decreasing agent. In January 1998, benzyl alcohol was reported to be used in 322 cosmetic formulations. Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
  • Uses: For more Uses (Complete) data for BENZYL ALCOHOL (13 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
EMBL-EBI ChEBIExact match2026-08-31
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 V, entry 34
Source record ID
V-34
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.

How this record fits the market dataset

2329
current Great Britain records
245
records marked Permitted list with conditions
2329
records from this source version
2015
market records with CAS identity

Status distribution

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 “Benzyl Alcohol” 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 identity appears on a market positive list for the list function represented by the source record. Confirm that the intended function and product use fall within the list scope and every stated condition.

Positive-list presence is purpose-specific and is not blanket approval for every cosmetic 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 V, entry 34, 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

Benzyl Alcohol. GB Cosmetics Regulation, Annex V, entry 34. Great Britain. Source version 2026-08-15. CosIng Checker regulatory record: https://cosingchecker.com/regulations/gb/records/6628/

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 identity appears on a market positive list for the list function represented by the source record.

Confirm that the intended function and product use fall within the list scope and every stated condition.

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: Permitted list with conditions
  • 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

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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

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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

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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

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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