BUTYLPARABEN
Official label name (INCIInternational name of cosmetic ingredients: the one printed on the pack. name, EU glossary of cosmetic ingredient names), No 4207
- Preservative allowed under conditions (Annex V)
BUTYLPARABEN: Preservative allowed under conditions, with limits depending on the product type (Annex V, entry 12 a), under Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009. Good to know: endocrine disruptor (ECHA list); prohibited for children under 3 in certain products. Annexes of the Regulation consulted on 23 October 2026.
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
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).
Prohibition or serious classification ECHAEuropean Chemicals Agency. has included it in the Candidate List as an endocrine disruptor for human health.
For a question about your own situation, ask your doctor, midwife or pharmacist.
Babies and children
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 Annex V, entry 12 a, prohibits it for children under 3 in certain products only: “Not to be used in leave-on products designed for application on the nappy area of children under three years of age.”
For a question about your own situation, ask your doctor, midwife or pharmacist.
Skin, eyes and allergies
No official classification for sensitisation, irritation or eye damage, and no obligation to label it as an allergen.
Environment
No harmonised classification as hazardous to the aquatic environment, and it is not on ECHA's Candidate List as an endocrine disruptor for the environment.
Read on the label
For informationOfficial information with no condition on a finished product: warning to read, irritation of the pure substance.
For information Annex V, entry 12 a, requires this to be printed on the pack: “For leave-on products designed for children under three years of age: "Do not use on the nappy area"”.
ECHA, Candidate List of substances of very high concern for authorisation (REACH), retrieved 23 October 2026, source updated 23 October 2026.
Source: European Chemicals Agency (ECHA), Candidate List.
CosIng, Annex V of Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009 (allowed preservatives), retrieved 23 October 2026, source updated 13 October 2026.
In plain words
What it is used for
Functions declared by manufacturers:
Fragrance.
Preservative: inhibits primarily the development of micro-organisms in cosmetics.
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.
Definitions of functions (decision repealed on 8 May 2020, cited for information). Decision 2006/257/EC, inventory of cosmetic ingredients (definitions of functions), retrieved 22 October 2026.
What the rules say
An ingredient can be used as a preservative only if it appears on the list of Annex V. BUTYLPARABEN is on it with a maximum concentration and with a warning to print.
CosIng, Annex V of Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009 (allowed preservatives), retrieved 23 October 2026, source updated 13 October 2026.
Hazard and risk
The European Union has identified it as an endocrine disruptor: a substance that alters the functioning of the hormonal system and causes adverse effects. This alone does not prohibit it in cosmetics: a legal text must add it to the annexes.
ECHA, Candidate List of substances of very high concern for authorisation (REACH), retrieved 23 October 2026, source updated 23 October 2026.
Source: European Chemicals Agency (ECHA), Candidate List.
The text of the annexes
Preservative allowed under conditions
This entry covers the same substance as BUTYLPARABEN (same CAS number in the CosIng inventory): its conditions apply.
- Maximum concentration
- - 0.14% (as acid) for the sum of the individual concentrations - 0.8% (as acid) for mixtures of substances mentioned in entry 12 and 12a, here the sum of the individual concentrations of butyl and propylparaben and their salts does not exceed 0.14%
- Other conditions
- Not to be used in leave-on products designed for application on the nappy area of children under three years of age.
- Warning to print
- For leave-on products designed for children under three years of age: "Do not use on the nappy area"
- Entry
- Annex V, No 12 a
- Substance
- Butyl 4-hydroxybenzoate and its salts Propyl 4-hydroxybenzoate and its salts
- Glossary names
- BUTYLPARABEN/PROPYLPARABEN/SODIUM PROPOYLPARABEN/SODIUM BUTYLPARABEN/POTASSIUM BUTYLPARABEN/POTASSIUM PROPYLPARABEN
- CAS
- 94-26-8/ 94-13-3/ 35285-69-9/ 36457-20-2/ 38566-94-8/ 84930-16-5
- EC
- 202-318-7/ 202-307-7/ 252-488-1/ 253-049-7/ 254-009-1/ 284-597-5
Dates in the act (4)
- Entry into force on 16 October 2014
- Application from 16 April 2015
It shall apply from 16 April 2015.
- Placing on the market from 16 April 2015
From 16 April 2015 only cosmetic products which comply with this Regulation shall be placed on the Union market
- Making available from 16 October 2015
From 16 October 2015 only cosmetic products which comply with this Regulation shall be made available on the Union market
Excerpts from the English text published in the Official Journal. A date may concern only some substances of the act: the excerpt says so.
Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009, Annex V, entry 12 a. CosIng, Annex V of Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009 (allowed preservatives), retrieved 23 October 2026, source updated 13 October 2026.
Entry from Regulation (EU) n° 1004/2014, adopted on 18 September 2014.
SCCSEU Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety: it assesses cosmetic ingredients. opinions cited: Extended Opinion on the Safety Evaluation of Parabens; Opinion on Parabens, underarm cosmetics and breast cancer; Opinion on Parabens; Opinion on Parabens; Opinion on Parabens; Opinion on Parabens updated request for a scientific opinion on 'propyl-and butylparaben'; OPINION ON Propylparaben (PP).
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.
Annex V, entry 12 a: introduced or replaced by Regulation (EU) n° 1004/2014
Annex V, entry 12 a: a new product that does not comply can no longer be placed on the market
Annex V, entry 12 a: a product that does not comply can no longer be sold, even from stock
Included by ECHA in the Candidate List (endocrine disruptor)
Identity
- CosIng identifier
- 31734
- CAS (according to CosIng)
- 94-26-8
- EC (according to CosIng)
- 202-318-7
- Declared functions
- Fragrance, Preservative
- Wikidata
- Q3302873
- PubChem
- 7184
- ECHA InfoCard
- 100.002.108
- InChIKey
- QFOHBWFCKVYLES-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 ECHA links are published only when verified: same CosIng identifier, a single item, matching CAS number.
Endocrine disruptor
These lists record an evaluation, not a prohibition: in cosmetics, a substance identified as an endocrine disruptor is prohibited only if a legal text adds it to the annexes.
- Identified as an endocrine disruptor at EU level
Recorded evaluations
- Candidate list, REACH, 2020 (human health)
Butyl 4-hydroxybenzoate, linked by CAS 94-26-8. ECHA, Candidate List of substances of very high concern for authorisation (REACH), retrieved 23 October 2026, source updated 23 October 2026.
Source: European Chemicals Agency (ECHA), Candidate List.
EU product alerts (Safety Gate)
1 alert on cosmetic products cite this name in their hazard description. An alert targets a specific product, not the ingredient itself. Under each alert, its reason (prohibited substance, limit exceeded, missing labelling, and so on), as published.
- 22 March 2019: Mascara, Paintglow, Germany (“Serious risk”) alert
The product contains an excessive amount of butylparaben (measured value as acid: 0.17 % by weight).Butylparaben is a reproductive toxicant and may have a potential endocrine disrupting activity. According to the list of ingredients the product contains the…
Safety Gate, EU rapid alert system for dangerous non-food products: cosmetic alerts from the weekly reports, retrieved 23 October 2026.
Source: European Commission, Safety GateEU rapid alert system for dangerous non-food products. weekly reports (CC0).
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 | Preservative allowed under conditions | 0.14% |
| United Kingdom | Preservative allowed under conditions | 0.14% |
| Switzerland | EU Regulation applies | 0.14% |
| United States (federal) | No federal rule recorded | not cited |
| Japan | No entry in the lists recorded | not cited |
| South Korea | Restricted differs from the EU | 0.4% |
| 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 |
| Brazil | Allowed under conditions | 0.14% |
United Kingdom (Great Britain)
- Preservative allowed under conditions (Annex V)
Same entries as in the European Union. Their maximum concentrations are compared in the “Comparison between countries” table; other conditions (product types, warnings) may differ.
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.
South Korea
- Restricted: p-하이드록시벤조익애씨드, 그 염류 및 에스텔류 (다만, 에스텔류 중 페닐은제외)
별표 2, 보존제 성분 (preservatives), entry 57, page 12-13. Limit: ․단일성분일 경우 0.4%(산으로서) ․혼합사용의 경우 0.8%(산으로서).
Conditions, source text, in Korean
화학물질명: 4-하이드록시벤조익애씨드 (CAS No. 99-96-7) | 화학물질명: 메틸파라벤 (CAS No. 99-76-3) | 화학물질명: 부틸파라벤 (CAS No. 94-26-8) | 화학물질명: 소듐메틸파라벤 (CAS No. 5026-62-0) | 화학물질명: 소듐부틸파라벤 (CAS No. 36457-20-2) | 화학물질명: 소듐에틸파라벤 (CAS No. 35285-68-8) | 화학물질명: 소듐이소부틸파라벤 (CAS No. 84930-15-4) | 화학물질명: 소듐프로필파라벤 (CAS No. 35285-69-9) | 화학물질명: 에틸파라벤 (CAS No. 120-47-8) | 화학물질명: 이소부틸파라벤 (CAS No. 4247-02-3) | 화학물질명: 이소프로필파라벤 (CAS No. 4191-73-5) | 화학물질명: 프로필파라벤 (CAS No. 94-13-3) | 화학물질명: 포타슘메틸파라벤 (CAS No. 26112-07-2) | 화학물질명: 포타슘부틸파라벤 (CAS No. 38566-94-8) | 화학물질명: 포타슘에틸파라벤 (CAS No. 36457-19-9) | 화학물질명: 포타슘파라벤 (CAS No. 16782-08-4) | 화학물질명: 포타슘프로필파라벤 (CAS No. 84930-16-5) | 화학물질명: 소듐이소프로필파라벤 | 화학물질명: 소듐파라벤 (CAS No. 114-63-6) | 화학물질명: 칼슘파라벤 (CAS No. 69959-44-0)
South Korea, MFDS Regulation on Safety Standards for Cosmetics, Notification 2026-19, retrieved 22 October 2026.
Source: 식품의약품안전처 (MFDS), 화장품 안전기준 등에 관한 규정, via law.go.kr; table formatted by the publisher of this site.
Brazil
- Allowed under conditions: 4- hidroxibenzoato de butilo e seus sais 4- hidroxibenzoato de propilo e seus sais (BUTYLPARABEN/ PROPYLPARABEN/ SODIUM PROPYLPARABEN/ SODIUM BUTYLPARABEN/ POTASSIUM BUTYLPARABEN/ POTASSIUM PROPYLPARABEN)
RDC 528/2021, Anexo (allowed preservatives), entry 11-A, page 3. Limit: -0.14% (expresso como ácido) para a soma das concentrações individuais. -0.8% (expresso como ácido) para a soma das concentrações individuais das substâncias mencionadas nos itens 11 e 11-A contidos no produto; neste caso a soma das concentrações individuais de butil e propilparabeno e seus sais não devem superar 0.14% (expresso como ácido)..
Conditions, source text, in Portuguese
LIMITAÇÕES: Não usar em produtos que não se enxáguem destinados a área de fraldas em crianças menores de 3 anos. | CONDIÇÕES DE USO E ADVERTÊNCIAS: Em produtos que não se enxáguem desenhados para crianças menores de 3 anos: "Não usar nas áreas das fraldas”.
Brazil, ANVISA resolutions RDC 529/2021, 528/2021, 600/2022 and 628/2022, retrieved 22 October 2026.
Source: ANVISA. Text of the adopted draft resolutions, as the Official Journal could not be accessed; the 2021 lists of prohibited substances and preservatives were compared with the copy of the published text distributed by the State of Paraná, the 2022 lists of UV filters and colorants were not.
Recorded cosmetics that contain it
76 recorded products list it, according to Open Beauty Facts contributors. Records are dated: the formula may have changed. See the list (in French).
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.
Glossary: Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2025/1175. Page updated on 23 October 2026.