BUTYL ACRYLATE
See the summary at the top of this page. CosIng, Annex II of Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009 (prohibited substances), Consulted on 23 October 2026.
Official label name (INCI name, EU glossary of cosmetic ingredient names), No 4114
Who it concerns
What official classifications and rules say for each group. A classification describes the hazard of the pure substance, not the risk of a product that contains it, which depends on the dose and the exposure.
Prohibition or serious classificationThe text prohibits the substance for this use, or ranks it among the most serious hazards (known or presumed carcinogenic, mutagenic or reprotoxic, identified endocrine disruptor).Worth watchingThe text sets a condition or flags a hazard worth knowing: allergen, suspected effect, condition for children, hazard to the aquatic environment.For informationOfficial information with no condition on a finished product: warning to read, irritation of the pure substance.
Pregnancy and breastfeeding
No classification harmonised by the European Union covers reproduction, the unborn child or breastfeeding for this substance. This does not mean it has been judged to have no effect during pregnancy.
Babies and children
The Cosmetics Regulation sets no age-related condition for this ingredient.
Skin, eyes and allergies
Worth watchingThe text sets a condition or flags a hazard worth knowing: allergen, suspected effect, condition for children, hazard to the aquatic environment.
Worth watching Classified under the CLP Regulation: eye irritation, category 2 (Eye Irrit. 2); skin irritation, category 2 (Skin Irrit. 2); skin sensitisation, category 1 (Skin Sens. 1).
Worth watching Classified under the CLP Regulation: skin irritation, category 2 (Skin Irrit. 2); skin sensitisation, category 1 (Skin Sens. 1).
Environment
For informationOfficial information with no condition on a finished product: warning to read, irritation of the pure substance.
For information Classified under the CLP Regulation: hazardous to the aquatic environment, long term, category 2 (Aquatic Chronic 2).
Read on the label
The Cosmetics Regulation requires no warning to be printed for this ingredient.
Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008 (CLP), consolidated version, Annex VI table 3, retrieved 21 October 2026.
In plain words
What it is used for
Functions declared by manufacturers:
The functions and their explanations appear in the summary.
Functions declared in the CosIngThe European Commission's database of cosmetic ingredients. inventory. CosIng, inventory of cosmetic ingredients (INCI names, CAS, EC, functions), retrieved 21 October 2026.
CosIng, list of cosmetic functions, retrieved 30 October 2026; source text read on 30 October 2026.
What the rules say
No EU rule targets this ingredient specifically. It remains subject to the general rule: every product must undergo a safety assessment before it is sold (Article 10 of Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009), under the manufacturer's responsibility.
See the summary at the top of this page.
What we know about this ingredient
Uses
...Polymerized esters ... especially methyl, ethyl, and butyl esters, are known under trade names of "lucite", "plexiglas", and "perspex", and are of considerable commercial importance ... Widely used for dentures, artificial eyes, and surgical prostheses. The polymers may be cast into sheets or molded ...
Butyl acrylate is used in the production of coatings and inks, adhesives, sealants, textiles, plastics and elastomers. Coatings applications include: architectural latex coatings, water based dispersions and automotive original equipment manufacture and refinish materials. Pressure sensitive adhesives contain butyl acrylate; other adhesive applications are found in the textile and construction industries. Textile industry products which contain butyl acrylate are fibers, warp sizings, thickener, and back coat formulations; in the plastics industry, butyl acrylate is found in some PVC modifiers and molding or extrusion additives.
Intermediate in organic synthesis, polymers and coploymers for solvent coatings, adhesives, paints, binders, and emulsifiers.
Monomer for the manufacture of polymers and resins for textile and leather finishes and paint formulations, etc
PubChem : Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB) · 2026-10-29 · International Labour Office. Encyclopedia of Occupational Health and Safety. Volumes I and II. New York: McGraw-Hill Book Co., 1971., p. 35; Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development; Screening Information Data Set for n-Butyl acrylate, CAS #141-32-2 p.41 (October 2002). Available from, as of February 4, 2010: https://www.chem.unep.ch/irptc/sids/OECDSIDS/sidspub.html; Lewis, R.J. Sr.; Hawley's Condensed Chemical Dictionary 15th Edition. John Wiley & Sons, Inc. New York, NY 2007., p. 194; O'Neil, M.J. (ed.). The Merck Index - An Encyclopedia of Chemicals, Drugs, and Biologicals. Whitehouse Station, NJ: Merck and Co., Inc., 2006., p. 253.
Consumer uses
Dispersing agent
Hardener
Insulators
Monomers
Use classification
Cosmetics -> Film forming; Binding
Industry uses
Adhesives and sealant chemicals
Dispersing agent
Intermediate
Monomers
Polymerization promoter
Processing aids, not otherwise listed
Wrinkle resisting agent
CosIng, inventory of cosmetic ingredients (INCI names, CAS, EC, functions), retrieved 21 October 2026.
Manufacturing
In ... propylene oxidation process acrolein is first formed by the catalytic oxidation of propylene vapor at high temp in the presence of steam. The acrolein is then oxidized to acrylic acid. ... The acrylic acid is esterified with alcohol to the ... acrylic ester in a separate process. /Acrylic ester monomers/
Reaction of acetylene, n-butyl alcohol, carbon monoxide, nickel carbonyl, & hydrochloric acid.
Reaction of acrylic acid or methyl acrylate with butanol.
PubChem : Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB) · 2026-10-29 · Kirk-Othmer Encyclopedia of Chemical Technology. 4th ed. Volumes 1: New York, NY. John Wiley and Sons, 1991-Present., p. V1 (91) 320; Clayton, G.D., F.E. Clayton (eds.) Patty's Industrial Hygiene and Toxicology. Volumes 2A, 2B, 2C, 2D, 2E, 2F: Toxicology. 4th ed. New York, NY: John Wiley & Sons Inc., 1993-1994., p. 3006; Lewis, R.J. Sr.; Hawley's Condensed Chemical Dictionary 15th Edition. John Wiley & Sons, Inc. New York, NY 2007., p. 194.
Appearance
Clear, colorless liquid [Note: Highly reactive; may contain an inhibitor to prevent spontaneous polymerization].
Colorless liquid
Water-white monomer
Butyl acrylate appears as a clear colorless liquid with a sharp characteristic odor. Very slightly soluble in water and somewhat less dense than water. Hence forms surface slick on water. Flash point 105 °F. Density 7.5 lb / gal. Used for making paints, coatings, caulks, sealants, adhesives.
Liquid
Clear, colorless liquid with a strong, fruity odor.
Clear, colorless liquid with a strong, fruity odor. [Note: Highly reactive; may contain an inhibitor to prevent spontaneous polymerization.]
PubChem : Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB) · 2026-10-29 · NIOSH. NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards & Other Databases CD-ROM. Department of Health & Human Services, Centers for Disease Prevention & Control. National Institute for Occupational Safety & Health. DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 2005-151 (2005); Lewis, R.J. Sr.; Hawley's Condensed Chemical Dictionary 15th Edition. John Wiley & Sons, Inc. New York, NY 2007., p. 194; Lewis, R.J. Sr. (ed) Sax's Dangerous Properties of Industrial Materials. 11th Edition. Wiley-Interscience, Wiley & Sons, Inc. Hoboken, NJ. 2004., p. V2: 601.
PubChem : CAMEO Chemicals · 2026-10-29 · https://cameochemicals.noaa.gov/chemical/2674.
PubChem : EPA Chemical Data Reporting (CDR) · 2026-10-29 · https://www.epa.gov/chemical-data-reporting.
PubChem : Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) · 2026-10-29 · https://www.osha.gov/chemicaldata/260.
PubChem : The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) · 2026-10-29 · https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/npg/npgd0075.html.
Odour described
Sharp, biting characteristic odor
Sharp, fragrant
Strong, fruity odor
PubChem : Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB) · 2026-10-29 · Association of American Railroads. Emergency Handling of Hazardous Materials in Surface Transportation. Washington, D.C.: Assoc. of American Railroads, Hazardous Materials Systems (BOE), 1987., p. 106; U.S. Coast Guard, Department of Transportation. CHRIS - Hazardous Chemical Data. Volume II. Washington, D.C.: U.S. Government Printing Office, 1984-5.; NIOSH. NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards & Other Databases CD-ROM. Department of Health & Human Services, Centers for Disease Prevention & Control. National Institute for Occupational Safety & Health. DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 2005-151 (2005).
Other names: acrylate de butyle (French), Acrylsäurebutylester (German), acrilato de butilo (Spanish), Butilacrilato (Italian), acrilato de butila (Portuguese).
Wikidata: names of substances in six languages and taxa in which they occur (largely from the LOTUS database), retrieved 23 October 2026.
Open Beauty Facts, export of cosmetic products, retrieved 23 October 2026.
Data “Open Beauty Facts and its contributors”, licensed under ODbL 1.0 (opendatacommons.org/licenses/odbl/1-0); derived table distributed under the same licence.
The text of the annexes
No specific rule of the EU Cosmetics Regulation names this ingredient: it is on none of its lists (prohibited, restricted, colorants, preservatives, UV filters). It may be used under the responsibility of the manufacturer, who must ensure the product is safe.
Search in Annexes II to VI. CosIng, Annex II of Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009 (prohibited substances), retrieved 23 October 2026, source updated 13 October 2026.
What has changed, and what will change
Dates of the texts that cover this ingredient. A text date may cover several substances: the details of each entry are below.
CLP classification “Flam. Liq. 2” applicable at the latest from this date (Regulation (EU) 2018/669)
CLP classification “Flam. Liq. 3” applicable at the latest from this date (Regulation (EU) 2018/669)
Identity
- CosIng identifier
- 91900
- CAS (according to CosIng)
- 141-32-2
- EC (according to CosIng)
- 216-768-7
- Declared functions
- Binding
- Wikidata
- Q343005
- PubChem
- 8846
- ECHA InfoCard
- 100.004.983
- InChIKey
- CQEYYJKEWSMYFG-UHFFFAOYSA-N
CosIng inventory. CosIng, inventory of cosmetic ingredients (INCI names, CAS, EC, functions), retrieved 21 October 2026.
Wikidata, items with a CosIng identifier (P3073), retrieved 22 October 2026.
Wikidata, PubChem and ECHAEuropean Chemicals Agency. links are published only when verified: same CosIng identifier, a single item, matching CAS number.
Classified hazard (CLP Regulation)
The harmonised classification is the one set by the European Union for the whole Union. H codes refer to the hazard statements of Annex III of Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008.
n-butyl acrylate
Neither carcinogenic, mutagenic nor toxic for reproduction under the harmonised classification
- Hazard classes
- Flammable liquid, category 3 (Flam. Liq. 3)
Eye irritation, category 2 (Eye Irrit. 2)
Specific target organ toxicity, single exposure, category 3 (STOT SE 3)
Skin irritation, category 2 (Skin Irrit. 2)
Skin sensitisation, category 1 (Skin Sens. 1) - Hazard statements
- H226 H319 H335 H315 H317
- CLP notes
- D
Annex VI, entry 607-062-00-3, linked by CAS 141-32-2. Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008 (CLP), consolidated version, Annex VI table 3, retrieved 21 October 2026.
Entry introduced or replaced by Regulation (EU) 2018/669, applicable at the latest from 1 December 2019.
tert-butyl acrylate
Neither carcinogenic, mutagenic nor toxic for reproduction under the harmonised classification
- Hazard classes
- Flammable liquid, category 2 (Flam. Liq. 2)
Acute toxicity, category 4 (Acute Tox. 4)
Specific target organ toxicity, single exposure, category 3 (STOT SE 3)
Skin irritation, category 2 (Skin Irrit. 2)
Skin sensitisation, category 1 (Skin Sens. 1)
Hazardous to the aquatic environment, long term, category 2 (Aquatic Chronic 2) - Hazard statements
- H225 H332 H312 H302 H335 H315 H317 H411
- CLP notes
- D
Annex VI, entry 607-245-00-8, linked by EC 216-768-7. Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008 (CLP), consolidated version, Annex VI table 3, retrieved 21 October 2026.
Entry introduced or replaced by Regulation (EU) 2018/669, applicable at the latest from 1 December 2019.
Elsewhere in the world
Information on other jurisdictions, with no effect on sale in France. What is covered, and what is not yet.
Comparison between countries
Most restrictive status in each country, and the maximum concentration cited. The details and the source of each rule follow.
| Country | Rule | Maximum concentration cited |
|---|---|---|
| European Union | No specific rule in the Cosmetics Regulation | not cited |
| United Kingdom | No specific rule in the Cosmetics Regulation | not cited |
| Switzerland | EU Regulation applies | not cited |
| United States (federal) | No federal rule recorded | not cited |
| Canada | No entry in the lists recorded | not cited |
| Japan | No entry in the lists recorded | not cited |
| South Korea | No entry in the lists recorded | not cited |
| China | Not on the prohibited lists recorded (lists of allowed substances are not recorded) | not cited |
| Australia | No entry in the lists recorded | not cited |
| ASEAN | No entry in the lists recorded | not cited |
| Taiwan | No entry in the lists recorded | not cited |
| Brazil | No entry in the lists recorded | not cited |
United Kingdom (Great Britain)
- No specific rule in the Cosmetics Regulation
Annexes II to VI in force. United Kingdom, Annexes II to VI of Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009 as retained and amended, retrieved 21 October 2026.
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
Northern Ireland applies EU law.
Switzerland
Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009 applies in Switzerland (Article 54 of the Ordinance on Foodstuffs and Utility Articles).
Switzerland, FDHA Ordinance on Cosmetic Products (OCos, SR 817.023.31), consolidated version, retrieved 22 October 2026.
United States, federal rules
None of the integrated sections of the federal code (21 CFR 700.11 to 700.27 and 250.250) targets this name. The FDA does not publish a list of allowed ingredients.
United States, 21 CFR part 700 and section 250.250 (FDA rules on cosmetic ingredients), eCFR, retrieved 21 October 2026.
The eCFR is not an official legal edition of the Code of Federal Regulations.
Glossary: Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2025/1175. Page updated on 23 October 2026.