Compoatlas

THIMEROSAL (thiomersal)

Official label name (INCI name, EU glossary of cosmetic ingredient names), No 28748

THIMEROSAL (thiomersal): Preservative allowed under conditions, with limits depending on the product type (Annex V, entry 16), under Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009.

In plain words

What it is used for

Functions declared by manufacturers:

Preservative: inhibits primarily the development of micro-organisms in cosmetics.

What the rules say

An ingredient can be used as a preservative only if it appears on the list of Annex V. <function plain_language.<locals>.name at 0x7f6be2dcbe20> is on it with a maximum concentration, for some product types only and with a warning to print.

The text of the annexes

Preservative allowed under conditions

Entry
Annex V, No 16
Substance
Thiomersal
Glossary names
THIMEROSAL
CAS
54-64-8
EC
200-210-4
Product type
Eye products
Maximum concentration
0.007% (of Hg) If mixed with other mercurial compounds authorized by this Regulation, the maximum concentration of Hg remains fixed at 0.007%
Warnings
Contains Thiomersal
Dates in the act (10)
  • Entry into force on 11 January 2010
  • Application from 1 December 2010
    It shall apply from 11 July 2013, with the exception of: — Article 15(1) and (2) which shall apply from 1 December 2010, as well as Articles 14, 31 and 32 to the extent that they are necessary to apply Article 15(1) and (2); and — Article 16(3) second subparagraph, which shall apply from 11 January 2013.
  • Entry into force on 1 December 2010
  • Condition applicable from 11 January 2012
    As from 11 January 2012, by way of derogation from Directive 76/768/EEC, notification carried out in accordance with Article 13 of this Regulation shall be considered to comply with Article 7(3) and Article 7a(4) of that Directive
  • Application from 11 January 2013
    July 2013, with the exception of: — Article 15(1) and (2) which shall apply from 1 December 2010, as well as Articles 14, 31 and 32 to the extent that they are necessary to apply Article 15(1) and (2); and — Article 16(3) second subparagraph, which shall apply from 11 January 2013.
  • Entry into force on 11 January 2013
  • Application from 11 July 2013
    It shall apply from 11 July 2013, with the exception of: — Article 15(1) and (2) which shall apply from 1 December 2010, as well as Articles 14, 31 and 32 to the extent that they are necessary to apply Article 15(1) and (2); and — Article 16(3) second subparagraph, which shall appl
  • Entry into force on 11 July 2013
  • Placing on the market before 11 July 2013
    Article 39 Transitional provisions By way of derogation from Directive 76/768/EEC, cosmetic products which comply with this Regulation may be placed on the market before 11 July 2013.
  • Placing on the market from 11 July 2013
    As from 11 July 2013, a distributor who makes available in a Member State a cosmetic product already placed on the market in another Member State and translates, on his own initiative, any element of the labelling of that product in order to comply with national law, shall submit, by electronic means, the following info

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
38582
CAS (according to CosIng)
54-64-8
EC (according to CosIng)
200-210-4
Declared functions
Preservative
Wikidata
Q411046
ECHA InfoCard
100.000.192
InChIKey
RTKIYNMVFMVABJ-UHFFFAOYSA-L

Elsewhere in the world

Information on other jurisdictions. What is covered, and what is not yet.

United Kingdom (Great Britain)

  • Preservative allowed under conditions (Annex V)

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

  • Restricted: Use of mercury compounds in cosmetics including use as skinbleaching agents in cosmetic preparations also regarded as drugs

    21 CFR 700.13. (a) Mercury-containing cosmetic preparations have been represented for many years as skin-bleaching agents or as preparations to remove or prevent freckles and/or brown spots (so-called age spots). Preparations intended for such use are regarded as drugs as well as cosmetics. In addition to such use as skin-bleaching agents, mercury compounds have also been widely used as preservatives in cosmetics such as hand and body creams and lotions; hair shampoos, hair sets and rinses, hair straighteners, hair coloring, and other preparations; bath oils, bubble bath, and other bath preparations; makeup; antiperspirants and deodorants; and eye-area cosmetics. (b) The toxicity of mercury compounds is extensively documented in scientific literature. It is well known that mercury compounds are readily absorbed through the unbroken skin as well as through the lungs by inhalation and by intestinal absor…

Washington State (United States)

  • Prohibited: Mercury and mercury compounds (CAS 7439-97-6)

    RCW 70A.560.020 (1)(e), from 1 January 2025. Prohibited when intentionally added to a cosmetic product.

Glossary: Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2025/1175. Page updated on 21 October 2026.