SODIUM PERBORATE
Official label name (INCIInternational name of cosmetic ingredients: the one printed on the pack. name, EU glossary of cosmetic ingredient names), No 26915
- Prohibited in cosmetics (Annex II)
- Cited as an example in a rule, no rule of its own (Annex III)
SODIUM PERBORATE: Prohibited in cosmetics (Annex II, entry 1397); cited as an example in a rule, no rule of its own (Annex III, entry 12), under Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009. Good to know: classified toxic for reproduction (category 1B). Annexes of the Regulation consulted on 23 October 2026.
Who it concerns
This ingredient is prohibited in cosmetics in the European Union: what follows describes its hazards, not a permitted use.
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 Classified under the CLPEU regulation that classifies chemicals by their hazards (EC No 1272/2008). Regulation: reproductive toxicity, category 1B (Repr. 1B), a hazard to fertility and the unborn child.
For a question about your own situation, ask your doctor, midwife or pharmacist.
Babies and children
Prohibited in cosmetics in the European Union for everyone, whatever the age or situation: no specific condition is therefore needed for this group.
Skin, eyes and allergies
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: serious eye damage, category 1 (Eye Dam. 1). This classification describes the pure substance; in a finished product it is far more diluted.
Environment
No harmonised classification as hazardous to the aquatic environment, and it is not on ECHAEuropean Chemicals Agency.'s Candidate List as an endocrine disruptor for the environment.
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:
Oral care: provides cosmetic effects to the oral cavity, e.g. cleansing, deodorising, protecting.
Oxidising: changes the chemical nature of another substance by adding oxygen or removing hydrogen.
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
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.
This name is only cited as an example in an entry of Annex III, which covers a family of substances: the exact conditions depend on the form used.
CosIng, Annex II of Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009 (prohibited substances), retrieved 23 October 2026, source updated 13 October 2026.
CosIng, Annex III of Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009 (restricted substances), retrieved 23 October 2026, source updated 13 October 2026.
Hazard and risk
The CLP Regulation classifies this substance as toxic for reproduction, category 1B (presumed effect, established mainly from animal studies).
This classification describes what the substance can cause (a hazard), not what happens when using a product (a risk): the risk depends on the dose, the form and the route of exposure (skin, inhalation, ingestion).
Already prohibited in cosmetics (Annex II).
Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008 (CLP), consolidated version, Annex VI table 3, retrieved 21 October 2026.
The text of the annexes
Prohibited in cosmetics
CosIng links the name SODIUM PERBORATE to this Annex II entry.
- Entry
- Annex II, No 1396
- Substance
- Borates, tetraborates, octaborates and boric acid salts and esters, including: Disodium octaborate anhydrous [1] Disodium octaborate tetrahydrate [2] 2-Aminoethanol, monoester with boric acid [3] 2-Hydroxypropyl ammonium dihydrogen orthoborate [4] Potassium borate, boric acid potassium salt [5] Trioctyldodecyl borate [6] Zinc borate [7] Sodium borate, disodium tetraborate anhydrous; boric acid, sodium salt [8] Tetraboron disodium heptaoxide, hydrate [9] Orthoboric acid, sodium salt [10] Disodium tetraborate decahydrate; borax decahydrate [11] Disodium tetraborate pentahydrate; borax pentahydrate [12]
- CAS
- 12008-41-2 [1]/ 12280-03-4 [2]/ 10377-81-8 [3]/ 68003-13-4 [4]/ 12712-38-8 [5]/ -[6]/ 1332-07-6 [7]/ 1330-43-4 [8]/ 12267-73-1 [9]/ 13840-56-7 [10]/ 1303-96-4 [11]/ 12179-04-3 [12]
- EC
- 234-541-0 [1]/ 234-541-0 [2]/ 233-829-3 [3]/ 268-109-8 [4]/ 603-184-6 [5]/ -[6]/ 215-566-6 [7]/ 215-540-4 [8]/ 235-541-3 [9]/ 237-560-2 [10]/ 215-540-4 [11]/ 215-540-4 [12]
Dates in the act (2)
- Entry into force on 11 June 2019
- Application from 1 May 2020
Article 1 shall apply from 1 May 2020.
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 II, entry 1396. CosIng, Annex II of Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009 (prohibited substances), retrieved 23 October 2026, source updated 13 October 2026.
Entry from Regulation (EU) 2019/1966, adopted on 27 November 2019.
Prohibited in cosmetics
CosIng links the name SODIUM PERBORATE to this Annex II entry.
- Entry
- Annex II, No 1397
- Substance
- Perboric acid (H3BO2(O2)), monosodium salt trihydrate [1] Perboric acid, sodium salt, tetrahydrate [2] Perboric acid (HBO(O2)), sodium salt, tetrahydrate [3] Sodium peroxoborate, hexahydrate [4] Sodium perborate [5] Sodium peroxometaborate; sodium peroxoborate [6] Perboric acid, sodium salt [7] Perboric acid, sodium salt, monohydrate [8] Perboric acid (HBO(O2)), sodium salt, monohydrate [9] Trimethyl borate [10]
- CAS
- 13517-20-9 [1], 37244-98-7 [2], 10486-00-7 [3], — [4], 15120-21-5 [5], 7632-04-4/10332-33-9/10486-00-7 [6], 11138-47-9 [7], 12040-72-1 [8], 10332-33-9 [9], 121-43-7 [10]
- EC
- 239-172-9 [1], 234-390-0 [2], — [3], — [4], 239-172-9 [5], 231-556-4 [6], 234-390-0 [7], 234-390-0 [8], — [9], 204-468-9 [10]
Dates in the act (2)
- Entry into force on 2 February 2026
- Application from 1 May 2026
It shall apply from 1 May 2026.
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 II, entry 1397. CosIng, Annex II of Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009 (prohibited substances), retrieved 23 October 2026, source updated 13 October 2026.
Entry from Regulation (EU) 2026/78, adopted on 12 January 2026.
SCCSEU Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety: it assesses cosmetic ingredients. opinions cited: Opinion on Sodium Perborate and Perboric Acid.
Allowed with restrictions
CosIng cites the name SODIUM PERBORATE in this entry, whose regulated name is “HYDROGEN PEROXIDE”: the title below says which form or use it covers.
| Product type | Maximum concentration | Other conditions | Warning to print |
|---|---|---|---|
| (a) Hair products | 12% of H2O2 (40 volumes), present or released | not set | Contains hydrogen peroxide Avoid contact with eyes Rinse immediately if product comes into contact with them. |
| (b) Skin products | 4% of H2O2, present or released | not set | Contains hydrogen peroxide Avoid contact with eyes Rinse immediately if product comes into contact with them. |
| (c) Nail hardening products | 2% of H2O2, present or released | not set | Contains hydrogen peroxide Avoid contact with eyes Rinse immediately if product comes into contact with them. |
| (d) Oral products, including mouth rinse, tooth paste and tooth whitening or bleaching products | ≤ 0.1% of H2O2, present or released | not set | not set |
| (e) Tooth whitening or bleaching products | > 0.1% ≤ 6% of H2O2, present or released | To be only sold to dental practitioners. For each cycle of use, first use by dental practitioners as defined under Directive 2005/36/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council* or under their direct supervision if an equivalent level of safety is ensured. Afterwards to be provided to the consumer to complete the cycle of use. Not to be used on a person under 18 years of age. | Concentration of H2O2 present or released indicated in percentage. Not to be used on a person under 18 years of age. To be only sold to dental practitioners. For each cycle of use, the first use to be only done by dental practitioners or under their direct supervision if an equivalent level of safety is ensured. Afterwards to be provided to the consumer to complete the cycle of use. f) To be printed on the label: ‘For professional use only. Avoid contact with eyes. Rinse eyes immediately if product comes into contact with them. Contains hydrogen peroxide |
| (f) Products intended for eyelashes | 2% of H2O2, present or released | For professional use only | Wear suitable gloves |
- Entry
- Annex III, No 12
- Substance
- Hydrogen peroxide and other compounds or mixtures that release hydrogen peroxide, including carbamide peroxide and zinc peroxide, with the exception of the following substances in Annex II: No 1397, 1398, 1399
- Glossary names
- HYDROGEN PEROXIDE
- CAS
- 7722-84-1
- EC
- 231-765-0
Dates in the act (1)
- Entry into force on 12 June 2019
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 III, entry 12. CosIng, Annex III of Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009 (restricted substances), retrieved 23 October 2026, source updated 13 October 2026.
Entry from Regulation (EU) 2019/831, adopted on 22 May 2019.
SCCS opinions cited: Opinion on Hydrogen Peroxide in Tooth Whitening products; Opinion concerning Hydrogen (Carbamide, Zinc) Peroxide in Tooth Bleaching/Whitening Products; Guidance document on Epidemiological and clinical studies on Tooth Whitening Products; Opinion of concerning Hydrogen (Carbamide) Peroxide in Tooth Whitening Products; Clarification on Hydrogen (Carbamide) peroxide in Tooth Whitening Products; Opinion concerning Hydrogen Peroxide and Hydrogen Peroxide releasing Substances used in Oral Care Products; Opinion on Hydrogen peroxide, in its free form or when released, oral hygiene products.
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 II, entry 1396: introduced or replaced by Regulation (EU) 2019/1966
Annex II, entry 1396: applies from this date
Annex II, entry 1397: introduced or replaced by Regulation (EU) 2026/78
Annex II, entry 1397: applies from this date
CLP classification “Repr. 1B” applicable at the latest from this date (Regulation (EU) 2024/2564)
Identity
- CosIng identifier
- 38025
- CAS (according to CosIng)
- 11138-47-9, 15120-21-5, 7632-04-4
- EC (according to CosIng)
- 231-556-4, 234-390-0, 239-172-9
- Declared functions
- Oral care, Oxidising
- Wikidata
- Q415507
- ECHA InfoCard
- 100.035.597
CosIng cites 3 CAS numbers for this name: it covers several substances.
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.
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.
sodium peroxometaborate
Reproductive toxicity, category 1B (Repr. 1B)
- Hazard classes
- Oxidising solid, category 2 (Ox. Sol. 2)
Reproductive toxicity, category 1B (Repr. 1B)
Acute toxicity, category 3 (Acute Tox. 3)
Acute toxicity, category 4 (Acute Tox. 4)
Specific target organ toxicity, single exposure, category 3 (STOT SE 3)
Serious eye damage, category 1 (Eye Dam. 1) - Hazard statements
- H272 H360FD H331 H302 H335 H318
- CLP notes
- 11
Annex VI, entry 005-024-00-5, linked by CAS 7632-04-4. Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008 (CLP), consolidated version, Annex VI table 3, retrieved 21 October 2026.
Entry introduced or replaced by Regulation (EU) 2024/2564, applicable at the latest from 1 May 2026.
EU product alerts (Safety Gate)
15 alerts 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.
The 10 most recent are listed below. All alerts.
- 10 February 2023: Hair dye, Austria (“Serious risk”) alert
The product contains sodium perborate (as declared on the packaging), which releases boron (measured value: 21.4 mg/kg) and is forbidden in cosmetic products. Additionally, the product contains p-phenylenediamine (PPD) (measured value: 12.76 % by… - 3 February 2023: Hair dye, Black Rose ®, Ireland (“Serious risk”) alert
According to the list of ingredients, the product contains sodium perborate, which releases boron and is forbidden in cosmetic products. Ingestion or contact with an excessive quantity of boron may harm the health by damaging the reproductive system or the… - 26 February 2021: Hair dye, Henna Vals, Germany (“Other risk levels”) alert
The product contains sodium perborate (as declared on the packaging), which releases boron (measured value: 16,8 %) and is forbidden in cosmetic products. Ingestion or contact with an excessive quantity of boron may harm the health by damaging the…
7 other alerts
- 28 August 2020: Teeth whitening product, WHITE 1NE, Denmark (“Serious risk”) alert
According to the list of ingredients, the product contains sodium perborate (value: 0.35%), which releases boron and is forbidden in cosmetic products.. Ingestion or contact with an excessive quantity of boron may harm the health by damaging the reproductive… - 3 January 2020: Hair dye, Henna Vital, Austria (“Serious risk”) alert
The product contains sodium perborate (calculated value: 12,8 %), which releases boron (measured value 1,7 %) and an excessive amount of p-phenylenediamine (PPD)(measured value > 7.3%, > 2 % in final solution).Contact with an excessive quantity of boron may… - 27 April 2018: Hair colouring product, Black Rose, Germany (“Serious risk”) alert
The amount of the hair dye precursor p-phenylenediamine (PPD) is too high (measured value: 7.9% by weight) in relation to the coupler substances resorcinol and sodium perborate. PPD can trigger allergic contact dermatitis.The product does not comply with the… - 5 August 2016: Henna Hair Colour, Vatika Naturals, Ireland (“Serious risk”) alert
The list of ingredients indicates that the hair dye contains sodium perborate. Sodium perborate in high doses is toxic and it may damage fertility or the unborn child. The product does not comply with the Cosmetic Products Regulation. - 6 May 2016: Hair colouring product, Sta-sof-fro, Germany (“Serious risk”) alert
The hair dyes contain sodium perborate. Sodium perborate in high doses is toxic and it may damage fertility or the unborn child.The product does not comply with the Cosmetic Products Regulation. - 5 February 2016: Hair dye, Bigen, United Kingdom (“Serious risk”) alert
The list of ingredients indicates that the hair dye contains sodium perborate. Sodium perborate in high doses is toxic and it may damage fertility or the unborn child.The product does not comply with the Cosmetic Products Regulation. - 5 February 2016: Hair dye, BLASOL, United Kingdom (“Serious risk”) alert
The list of ingredients indicates that the hair dye contains sodium perborate. Sodium perborate in high doses is toxic and it may damage fertility or the unborn child.The product does not comply with the Cosmetic Products Regulation.
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 | Prohibited in cosmetics | not cited |
| United Kingdom | Prohibited in cosmetics | not cited |
| Switzerland | EU Regulation applies | not cited |
| United States (federal) | No federal rule recorded | not cited |
| Japan | Prohibited | not cited |
| South Korea | Restricted differs from the EU | 2 to 7% |
| China | Prohibited | not cited |
| Australia | No entry in the lists recorded | not cited |
| Brazil | No entry in the lists recorded | not cited |
United Kingdom (Great Britain)
- Prohibited in cosmetics (Annex II)
- Cited as an example in a rule, no rule of its own (Annex III)
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.
Japan
- Prohibited: 過ホウ酸ナトリウム (Sodium perborate)
Annex 1 (prohibited substances), entry ９, page 3.
Japan, Standards for Cosmetics (MHLW Notification No. 331 of 2000) and tar colour ordinance, retrieved 22 October 2026.
Source: 厚生労働省 (MHLW), 化粧品基準; table extracted and formatted by the publisher of this site, with no endorsement by the ministry.
South Korea
- Restricted: 과붕산나트륨 과붕산나트륨일수화물 (SODIUM PERBORATE)
별표 2, 염모제 성분 (hair colorants), entry 39, page 20. Limit: 염모제(탈염ㆍ 탈색 포함)에서 과산화수소로서 7.0%.
Conditions, source text, in Korean
화학물질명: 과붕산나트륨 (CAS No. 15120-21-5) | 화학물질명: 과붕산나트륨일수화물 (CAS No. 10332-33-9)
- Restricted: 과산화수소 및 과산화수소 생성물질 (SODIUM PERBORATE)
별표 2, 기타 (other substances with limits), entry 3, page 27. Limit: ․두발용 제품류에 과산화수소 로서 3% ․손톱경화용 제품에 과산화수소 로서 2%.
Conditions, source text, in Korean
비고: 기타 제품에는 사용금지 | 화학물질명: 과산화수소 (CAS No. 7722-84-1) | 화학물질명: 과붕산나트륨 (CAS No. 15120-21-5) | 화학물질명: 소듐카보네이트퍼옥사이드 (CAS No. 15630-89-4) | 화학물질명: 우레아퍼옥사이드 (CAS No. 124-43-6) | 화학물질명: 칼슘퍼옥사이드 (CAS No. 1305-79-9) | 화학물질명: 피브이피-하이드로젠퍼옥사이드 (CAS No. 135927-36-5) | 화학물질명: 스트론튬퍼옥사이드 (CAS No. 1314-18-7) | 화학물질명: 징크퍼옥사이드 (CAS No. 1314-22-3) | 화학물질명: 마그네슘퍼옥사이드 (CAS No. 1335-26-8 / 14452-57-4)
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.
China
- Prohibited: 过硼酸钠 (Sodium perborate （CAS No. 15120-21-5）)
表1 化妆品禁用原料目录 (prohibited substances, 2021年第74号), entry 1277, page 附件2 (.doc) table row 1277 ; TID reprint p.48.
China, NMPA catalogues of prohibited cosmetic ingredients (2021 No. 74, revised up to 2026), retrieved 22 October 2026.
Source: 国家药品监督管理局 (NMPA); plant catalogue as reprinted by the Trade and Industry Department of Hong Kong; table formatted by the publisher of this site.
Recorded cosmetics that contain it
1 recorded product 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.