Cetylpyridinium chloride
Japan Standards for Cosmetics: Cetylpyridinium chloride
The provisional English translation of the MHLW Standards for Cosmetics lists this ingredient with the stated limit or use matrix.
Regulatory decision and full conditions
- Status
- Restricted
- Legal role
- Binding rule
- Regulatory summary
- The provisional English translation of the MHLW Standards for Cosmetics lists this ingredient with the stated limit or use matrix.
- Conditions and restrictions
- Published three-column use matrix (rinse-off / leave-on / mucosal; blank means prohibited, ○ means no upper limit): 5.0 1.0 0.010
Substance identity
- Official source name
- Cetylpyridinium chloride
- CAS
- 123-03-5
- EC
- 204-593-9
- Identity mapping
- exact INCI name
- Linked ingredient
- CETYLPYRIDINIUM CHLORIDE
Linked CosIng identity data
Names and aliases
CosIng description: 1-Hexadecylpyridinium chloride
Recorded cosmetic function: ANTIMICROBIAL, ANTISTATIC, DEODORANT, HAIR CONDITIONING, ORAL CARE, SURFACTANT - CLEANSING, SURFACTANT - EMULSIFYING
Function pages:ANTIMICROBIAL, ANTISTATIC, DEODORANT, HAIR CONDITIONING, ORAL CARE, SURFACTANT, SURFACTANT - CLEANSING, SURFACTANT - EMULSIFYING
View the complete ingredient profileCross-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.
Japan
Current record1 linked record · 1 with specific conditions
Open supporting recordSouth Korea
1 linked record · 1 with specific conditions
Open supporting recordVerified chemistry for CAS 123-03-5
Cetylpyridinium Chloride
- IUPAC name
- 1-hexadecylpyridin-1-ium chloride
- Molecular formula
- C21H38ClN
- Molecular weight
- 340.0 g/mol
- Exact mass
- 339.2692779 Da
- Monoisotopic mass
- 339.2692779 Da
- Topological polar surface area
- 3.9 Ų
- Molecular complexity
- 208.0
- Formal charge
- 0
- Hydrogen-bond donors
- 0
- Hydrogen-bond acceptors
- 1
- Rotatable bonds
- 15
- Heavy atoms
- 23
- Covalent units
- 2
Names and synonyms reported to PubChem
16 more reported names
External database identifiers
- ChEBI:CHEBI:32915
- ChEMBL:CHEMBL34833
- EPA DTXSID:DTXSID6041761
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
CCCCCCCCCCCCCCCC[N+]1=CC=CC=C1.[Cl-]- InChI
InChI=1S/C21H38N.ClH/c1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9-10-11-12-13-14-16-19-22-20-17-15-18-21-22;/h15,17-18,20-21H,2-14,16,19H2,1H3;1H/q+1;/p-1- InChIKey
YMKDRGPMQRFJGP-UHFFFAOYSA-M
Evidence from additional scientific databases
NIH PubChem PUG-View
Attributed physical-property, hazard, environmental and use annotations.
- Color/Form: White powder Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
- LogP: log Kow= 1.71 Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
- Melting Point: 80 °C Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
- Physical Description: Dry Powder Source: EPA Chemical Data Reporting (CDR)
- Physical Description: White solid; [HSDB] Source: Haz-Map, Information on Hazardous Chemicals and Occupational Diseases
- Refractive Index: INDEX OF REFRACTION (@ 20 °C): MONOCLINIC 1.509; TRICLINIC 1.566; ORTHORHOMBIC 1.613 Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
- Solubility: Very soluble in water, chloroform Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
- Note: This chemical does not meet GHS hazard criteria for 19.3% (36 of 187) of reports. Source: European Chemicals Agency (ECHA)
- Signal: Danger Source: European Chemicals Agency (ECHA)
- GHS Hazard Statements: H301 (33.7%): Toxic if swallowed [Danger Acute toxicity, oral]; H302 (46%): Harmful if swallowed [Warning Acute toxicity, oral]; H315 (80.7%): Causes skin irritation [Warning Skin corrosion/irritation]; H318 (72.7%): Causes serious eye damage [Danger Serious eye damage/eye irritation]; H330 (80.2%): Fatal if inhaled [Danger Acute toxicity, inhalation]; H335 (78.6%): May cause respiratory irritation [Warning Specific target organ toxicity, single exposure; Respiratory tract irritation]; H400 (79.7%): Very toxic to aquatic life [Warning Hazardous to the aquatic environment, acute hazard]; H410 (13.9%): Very toxic to aquatic life with long lasting effects [Warning Hazardous to the aquatic environment, long-term hazard] Source: European Chemicals Agency (ECHA)
- Precautionary Statement Codes: P260, P261, P264, P264+P265, P270, P271, P273, P280, P284, P301+P316, P301+P317, P302+P352, P304+P340, P305+P354+P338, P316, P317, P319, P320, P321, P330, P332+P317, P362+P364, P391, 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 187 reports by companies from 27 notifications to the ECHA C&L Inventory. Each notification may be associated with multiple companies.; Reported as not meeting GHS hazard criteria per 36 of 187 reports by companies.; There are 26 notifications provided by 151 of 187 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: H301: Toxic if swallowed [Danger Acute toxicity, oral]; H315: Causes skin irritation [Warning Skin corrosion/irritation]; H318: Causes serious eye damage [Danger Serious eye damage/eye irritation]; H330: Fatal if inhaled [Danger Acute toxicity, inhalation]; H400: Very toxic to aquatic life [Warning Hazardous to the aquatic environment, acute hazard]; H410: Very toxic to aquatic life with long lasting effects [Warning Hazardous to the aquatic environment, long-term hazard] Source: NITE-CMC
- Precautionary Statement Codes: P260, P264, P264+P265, P270, P271, P273, P280, P284, P301+P316, P302+P352, P304+P340, P305+P354+P338, P316, P317, P320, P321, P330, P332+P317, P362+P364, P391, P403+P233, P405, and P501 (click each P-code to see the statement) Source: NITE-CMC
- GHS Hazard Statements: H301: Toxic if swallowed [Danger Acute toxicity, oral]; H319: Causes serious eye irritation [Warning Serious eye damage/eye irritation]; H330: Fatal if inhaled [Danger Acute toxicity, inhalation]; H335: May cause respiratory irritation [Warning Specific target organ toxicity, single exposure; Respiratory tract irritation] Source: NITE-CMC
- Precautionary Statement Codes: P260, P261, P264, P264+P265, P270, P271, P280, P284, P301+P316, P304+P340, P305+P351+P338, P316, P319, P320, P321, P330, P337+P317, P403+P233, P405, and P501 (click each P-code to see the statement) Source: NITE-CMC
- Environmental Bioconcentration: Whole body BCF values of 21, 22, and 13, were measured for clams, fathead minnows, and tadpoles, respectively, under flow-through conditions over a 7-day period, for a structurally-similar compound, cetylpyridinium bromide(1). An estimated BCF of 2 was calculated for cetylpyridinium chloride(SRC), using a log Kow of 1.71(2) and a regression-derived equation(3). According to a classification scheme(4), these BCF values suggest 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 200(SRC), determined from a log Kow of 1.71(2) and a regression-derived equation(3), indicates that cetylpyridinium chloride is expected to have moderate mobility in soil(SRC). However, quaternary ammonium compounds are known to sorb strongly and rapidly in well-mixed systems, to a wide variety of materials (such as sewage sludge, sediment, clay)(4) and the mobility of cetylpyridinium bromide in soil may be considerably less than estimated. Volatilization of cetylpyridinium chloride from moist soil surfaces is not expected as this compound is a salt(SRC). Cetylpyridinium chloride is also not expected to volatilize from dry soil surfaces(SRC) as ions do not volatilize. Cetylpyridinium chloride is expected to biodegrade rapidly in soil(SRC) based on sewage studies for structurally-similar compounds. Dodecyl and tetradecylpyridinium chloride, were biodegraded in the Spanish official test (93 and 94%, respectively) and in the OECD Confirmatory test (91 and 92%, respectively)(4). Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
- Environmental Fate: AQUATIC FATE: Based on a classification scheme(1), an estimated Koc value of 200(SRC), determined from a log Kow of 1.71(2) and a regression-derived equation(3), indicates that cetylpyridinium chloride is not expected to adsorb to suspended solids and sediment(SRC). However, quaternary ammonium compounds are known to sorb strongly, and rapidly in well-mixed systems, to a wide variety of materials (such as sewage sludge, sediment, clay)(7); therefore, cetylpyridinium bromide should be strongly adsorbed to suspended solids and sediment in water. This compound is expected to exist in the dissociated form in the environment and therefore volatilization from water surfaces will not be an important fate process(SRC). According to a classification scheme(5), an estimated BCF of 2(SRC), from its log Kow(2) and a regression-derived equation(6), suggests the potential for bioconcentration in aquatic organisms is low(SRC). Cetylpyridinium chloride is expected to biodegrade rapidly in water(SRC) based on sewage studies for structurally-similar compounds. Dodecyl and tetradecylpyridinium chloride, were biodegraded in the Spanish official test (93 and 94%, respectively) and in the OECD Confirmat Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
- Environmental Fate: ATMOSPHERIC FATE: Cetylpyridinium chloride will exist as the ion in the environment and, thus, will be present solely in the particulate phase in the atmosphere. Particulate-phase cetylpyridinium chloride may be removed from the air by wet and dry deposition. (SRC) Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
- Consumer Uses: Other; Preservative Source: EPA Chemical Data Reporting (CDR)
- Industry Uses: Preservative; Other Source: EPA Chemical Data Reporting (CDR)
- Sources/Uses: Used as a preservative/antibacterial agent in cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, cough lozenges, mouthwashes, deodorants, and antiseptics; [HSDB] Quarternary ammonium compounds are used as algaecides/slimicides (swimming pools, industrial water reservoirs, and farm ponds), antiseptics for cleaning wounds, antistatic agents for textiles, softeners for paper products, and pigment dispersers; [IPCS-PIMs] Source: Haz-Map, Information on Hazardous Chemicals and Occupational Diseases
- Industrial Processes with risk of exposure: Using Disinfectants or Biocides [Category: Clean] Source: Haz-Map, Information on Hazardous Chemicals and Occupational Diseases
- Uses: For Cetylpyridinium chloride (USEPA/OPP Pesticide Code: 069160) 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: Pharmaceutic aid (preservative), antiseptic; disinfectant/monohydrate/ Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
- Uses: Antiseptic; preservative(cosmetics, pharmaceuticals) Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
- Uses: For more Uses (Complete) data for CETYLPYRIDINIUM CHLORIDE (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
| Source | Result | Checked |
|---|---|---|
| NIH PubChem PUG-View | Exact match | 2026-08-31 |
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
- Japan MHLW Standards for Cosmetics
- Source reference
- Appendix 3 section 2, entry 4
- Source record ID
appendix-3-2:4- Source version
- MHLW Notification No. 331 provisional translation, retrieved 2026-08-30
- Source language
- English provisional translation; Japanese text is canonical
- Translation status
- Regulator-hosted provisional English translation · English translation
- Snapshot checked
- 2026-08-30 04:11 UTC
- Validation method
- pdftotext -layout plus strict per-table row counts
- SHA-256
117fc949a82789ca66017163f19041cf2fcf6b5902708077c8e4f56c482dc8e2
Registered dataset notes
- Dataset coverage
- Prohibited and restricted ingredient appendices with concentration and use conditions
- Authority note
- Official MHLW standard; validate later Japanese updates before presenting current status
How this record fits the market dataset
Status distribution
Condition text is present on 117 of 117 current records. An empty condition field is interpreted according to the record type above; it is never converted into an unrestricted-use claim.
Japan market context
Complete Standards appendices dataset
Coverage version: MHLW Standards for Cosmetics official English source and Japanese amendments checked for the imported snapshot
Prohibited ingredients, restricted ingredients and permitted preservative/UV/colourant appendices present in the official standard source.
Verification checklist
- Search Japanese/English identity and CAS where present.
- Apply category and maximum-amount conditions.
- Check later MHLW notices against the Japanese source.
- Verify marketing licence, notification, labelling and quasi-drug classification.
Official market sources
- Japan MHLW Standards for CosmeticsOfficial MHLW standard; validate later Japanese updates before presenting current status
Verification workflow and record completeness
Before using this result in a compliance decision
- Confirm that “Cetylpyridinium chloride” and every CAS/EC identifier refer to the material in your supplier specification.
- Search Japanese/English identity and CAS where present.
- Apply category and maximum-amount conditions.
- Check later MHLW notices against the Japanese source.
- Verify marketing licence, notification, labelling and quasi-drug classification.
- 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
Stable citation
Cetylpyridinium chloride. Appendix 3 section 2, entry 4. Japan. Source version MHLW Notification No. 331 provisional translation, retrieved 2026-08-30. CosIng Checker regulatory record: https://cosingchecker.com/regulations/jp/records/654/
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 Japan
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: MHLW Notification No. 331 provisional translation, retrieved 2026-08-30
What it does not prove
The Japanese text and subsequent notices are canonical; no local match is not a product-compliance conclusion.
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 sourceFDA 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 sourceILO/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 sourceJapan 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 sourceNIOSH 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 sourceOECD 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 sourceUS EPA CompTox CTX APIs
API key required for importDTXSID 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