HYDROCHLORIC ACID (hydrogen chloride)
Official label name (INCI name, EU glossary of cosmetic ingredient names), No 12342
- No specific rule in the Cosmetics Regulation
HYDROCHLORIC ACID (hydrogen chloride): no specific rule of the EU Cosmetics Regulation names it. It is neither prohibited nor restricted there, and it is on none of its lists of colorants, preservatives or UV filters. Annexes of the Regulation consulted on 21 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.
Pregnancy and breastfeeding
No official classification covers reproduction, the unborn child's development or breastfeeding for this substance.
Babies and children
The Cosmetics Regulation sets no age-related condition for this ingredient.
Skin, eyes and allergies
Classified under the CLP Regulation: skin corrosion, category 1A (Skin Corr. 1A).
Environment
No official classification as hazardous to the aquatic environment and no assessment as an endocrine disruptor for the environment.
In plain words
What it is used for
Functions declared by manufacturers:
Buffering: stabilises the pH of cosmetics.
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.
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.
Identity
- CosIng identifier
- 34321
- CAS (according to CosIng)
- 7647-01-0
- EC (according to CosIng)
- 231-595-7
- Declared functions
- Buffering
- Wikidata
- Q211086
- ECHA InfoCard
- 100.028.723
- InChIKey
- VEXZGXHMUGYJMC-UHFFFAOYSA-N
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.
hydrogen chloride
Neither carcinogenic, mutagenic nor toxic for reproduction under the harmonised classification
- Hazard classes
- Gas under pressure (Press. Gas)
Acute toxicity, category 3 (Acute Tox. 3)
Skin corrosion, category 1A (Skin Corr. 1A) - Hazard statements
- H331 H314
- CLP notes
- U5
Elsewhere in the world
Information on other jurisdictions, with no effect on sale in France. What is covered, and what is not yet.
United Kingdom (Great Britain)
- No specific rule in the Cosmetics Regulation
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.
Recorded cosmetics that contain it
72 recorded products list it, according to Open Beauty Facts contributors. Records are dated: the formula may have changed. See the list (in French).
Glossary: Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2025/1175. Page updated on 21 October 2026.