DIETHYLENE GLYCOL
Official label name (INCI name, EU glossary of cosmetic ingredient names), No 8587
- Prohibited in cosmetics (Annex II)
- Allowed with restrictions (Annex III)
DIETHYLENE GLYCOL: Prohibited in cosmetics (Annex II, entry 1370); allowed with restrictions, maximum 0.1% in the ready-for-use preparation, only in: As traces in ingredients (Annex III, entry 186), under Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009.
In plain words
What it is used for
Functions declared by manufacturers:
Fragrance.
Solvent: dissolves other substances.
Viscosity controlling: increases or decreases the viscosity of cosmetics.
Perfuming.
What the rules say
It is prohibited to use it in a cosmetic product sold in the European Union, whatever the dose. If it appears on the ingredient list of a recent product, this needs checking: the record may be old or wrong, or the product intended for another market.
Allowed, with restrictions: Annex III sets a maximum concentration and the product types allowed. Ingredient lists do not give quantities, so the concentration cannot be checked on the label.
The text of the annexes
Prohibited in cosmetics
CosIng links the name DIETHYLENE GLYCOL to this Annex II entry.
- Entry
- Annex II, No 1370
- Substance
- Diethylene glycol (DEG); 2,2'-oxydiethanol for traces level, see Annex III
- CAS
- 111-46-6
- EC
- 203-872-2
Dates in the act (3)
- Entry into force on 15 May 2013
- Application from 11 July 2013
It shall apply from 11 July 2013.
- Entry into force on 11 July 2013
Excerpts from the English text published in the Official Journal. A date may concern only some substances of the act: the excerpt says so.
Allowed with restrictions
- Entry
- Annex III, No 186
- Substance
- 2,2'-oxydiethanol Diethylene glycol (DEG)
- Glossary names
- DIETHYLENE GLYCOL
- CAS
- 111-46-6
- EC
- 203-872-2
- Product type
- As traces in ingredients
- Maximum concentration
- 0.1%
Dates in the act (3)
- Entry into force on 15 May 2013
- Application from 11 July 2013
It shall apply from 11 July 2013.
- Entry into force on 11 July 2013
Excerpts from the English text published in the Official Journal. A date may concern only some substances of the act: the excerpt says so.
Identity
- CosIng identifier
- 75710
- CAS (according to CosIng)
- 111-46-6
- EC (according to CosIng)
- 203-872-2
- Declared functions
- Fragrance, Solvent, Viscosity controlling, Perfuming
Classified hazard (CLP Regulation)
A classification describes an intrinsic hazard, not a risk: the risk depends on the dose, the form and the exposure.
2,2' -oxybisethanol; diethylene glycol
No harmonised CMR classification
- Hazard classes
- Acute Tox. 4 *
- Hazard statements
- H302
EU product alerts (Safety Gate)
24 alerts on cosmetic products cite this name in their hazard description. An alert targets a specific product, not the ingredient itself; each alert states the reason (prohibited substance, limit exceeded, missing labelling, and so on).
- 10 December 2021: Cream, GORGIQUE, France (“Serious risk”) alert
- 22 March 2019: Hair colouring cream, V.B. DR. SAM, France (“Serious risk”) alert
- 3 September 2010: Cream gel for massage, Unknown, Lithuania (“Serious risk”) alert
- 17 October 2008: Toothbrush & toothpaste kit – "Yanys on the go!", YANYS, France (“Serious risk”) alert
- 9 May 2008: Toothpaste - Junior Fluoride toothpaste with free toothbrush, DENTA-KLEEN, Cyprus (“Serious risk”) alert
- 9 May 2008: Toothpaste - Kid´s Gel, DENTA-KLEEN, Cyprus (“Serious risk”) alert
- 15 February 2008: Toothpaste - Dental Doctor - Natural Mint Fragrance - Toothpaste - Fresh Confidence - Maximum Cavity Protection, Colgret – Dulibang Xiamen, China., Belgium (“Serious risk”) alert
- 15 February 2008: Toothpaste, Crust, Belgium (“Serious risk”) alert
- 25 January 2008: Toothpaste, Dr. Cool, Germany (“Serious risk”) alert
- 21 December 2007: Toothpaste, Smartoral Mint Ice, United Kingdom (“Serious risk”) alert
Elsewhere in the world
Information on other jurisdictions. What is covered, and what is not yet.
United Kingdom (Great Britain)
- Prohibited in cosmetics (Annex II)
- Allowed with restrictions (Annex III)
Same entries as in the European Union. Conditions (concentrations, warnings) may differ: they are not compared here.
Switzerland
Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009 applies in Switzerland (Article 54 of the Ordinance on Foodstuffs and Utility Articles).
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.
Japan
- Restricted by product type: ジエチレングリコール (Diethylene glycol)
Annex 2-2 (restricted substances), entry 14, page 5. Limit: 配合不可. Conditions (source text, in Japanese): [sous-liste] 2 化粧品の種類又は使用目的により配合の制限がある成分 | [en-tête de groupe] 歯磨 | 100ｇ中の最大配合量: 配合不可
South Korea
- Prohibited: 디에칠렌글라이콜 (다만, 비의도적 잔류물로서 0.1% 이하인 경우는 제외) (DIETHYLENE GLYCOL)
별표 1 (prohibited substances), entry 160, page 9.
China
- Prohibited: 二甘醇 (Diethylene glycol （DEG） （CAS No. 111-46-6）)
表1 化妆品禁用原料目录 (prohibited substances, 2021年第74号), entry 474, page 附件2 (.doc) table row 474 ; TID reprint p.18.
Australia
- Prohibited for the stated use: DIETHYLENE GLYCOL
Poisons Standard, Schedule 10 (formerly Appendix C), page 315. Thresholds cited: 0.25% or less. Conditions (source text): for use in toothpastes or mouthwashes except in preparations containing 0.25% or less of diethylene glycol.
Brazil
- Prohibited: Dietileno glicol, para traços ver em outras listas de substâncias
RDC 529/2021, Anexo (prohibited substances), entry 1370, page 47. Conditions (source text, in Portuguese): N° UE: 1370
Glossary: Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2025/1175. Page updated on 21 October 2026.