Is CETETH-2 safe in cosmetics?
CETETH-2 has a safety rating of "GOOD" in our database. EU status: permitted. US status: restricted. 1 toxicological study endpoint(s) are available in our database.
CETETH-2
Also known as: Hexadecylpoly(ethyleneoxy)ethanol, Oxyethylenated hexadecyl alcohol, Polyethylene glycol cetyl ether, Poly(oxy-1,2-ethanediyl), alpha-hexadecyl-omega-hydroxy-, Cetomacrogol (+14 more)
CETETH-2 (CAS 9004-95-9) is a cosmetic cosmetic ingredient functioning as Surfactant - Emulsifying. Reported NOAEL =300 mg/kg bw/day in Rat (ToxValDB_ECHA_IUCLID); EU Regulation 1223/2009 status: permitted. Industrial safety data is also available in the chemical safety database. Same-CAS public records also appear in industrial chemical safety data.
View industrial chemical safety profile for CAS 9004-95-9 →
Auto-generated CPSR Part A draft with source citations
Cross-Vertical Regulatory Divergence
CETETH-2 is classified GHS Danger (H315, H302, H318) in the chemicals database but is allowed in EU cosmetics.
Source: Cosmetics: ingredients.eu_status; Chemicals: ghs_classifications.signal_word/hazard_statement_code
Function
Surfactant - Emulsifying
Safety Rating
GOOD
Chemistry & Identifiers
IUPAC Name
2-[2-[2-[2-[2-[2-[2-[2-[2-[2-[2-[2-[2-[2-[2-[2-[2-[2-[2-(2-hexadecoxyethoxy)ethoxy]ethoxy]ethoxy]ethoxy]ethoxy]ethoxy]ethoxy]ethoxy]ethoxy]ethoxy]ethoxy]ethoxy]ethoxy]ethoxy]ethoxy]ethoxy]ethoxy]ethoxy]ethanol
InChIKey
NLMKTBGFQGKQEV-UHFFFAOYSA-N
Regulatory Status
EU EU Status
permitted
US US Status
restricted
US Notes
CIR: SQ - IJT 18(S2):1-8, 1999
For full compliance data across multiple jurisdictions, use the Substance Compliance tool.
Toxicological Studies
1 study endpoint found for CETETH-2. NOAEL (No Observed Adverse Effect Level) values are used to calculate the Margin of Safety per SCCS methodology.
| Endpoint | Value | Route | Species | Study Type | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NOAEL | =300 mg/kg bw/day | oral | Rat | reproduction developmental | ToxValDB_ECHA_IUCLID |
ECHA REACH Registration
European Chemicals Agency REACH dossier and Substances of Very High Concern listing.
Registration Type
Full
Tonnage Band
100 - 1,000 tonnes
Substance Type
SUBSTANCE
SVHC Candidate
No
Additional Ingredient Properties
3 property records from structured ingredient metadata.
emulsifier
{"cas_number": "9004-95-9", "ingredient_class": "O/W_emulsifier", "chemical_type": "ethoxylated_fatty_alcohol", "HLB_value": "5.5", "HLB_required_for_oil_phase": "4-8", "emulsion_type_primary": "O/W", "droplet_size_typical_um": "2-5", "surface_tension_reduction_mN_m": "21", "interfacial_tension_reduction": "26", "foam_formation": "moderate", "foam_stability": "moderate", "liquid_crystal_formation"…
emulsion_hlb
{"hlb_value": "5.3", "hlb_required_as_emulsifier": "yes", "emulsifier_type": "w_o", "critical_packing_parameter": "0.55-0.75", "emulsion_stabilization_mechanism": "steric_stabilization", "co_emulsifier_pairs": "cetyl_dimethicone", "optimal_oil_phase_pct": "60-85", "optimal_water_phase_pct": "15-40", "electrolyte_tolerance": "moderate", "pH_emulsion_stability_range": "4.0-10.0", "viscosity_building…
solubility_hlb
{"water_soluble": "no", "oil_soluble": "yes", "hlb_value": "5.3", "soluble_in": "oils, ethanol", "insoluble_in": "water", "log_p": "3.8", "melting_point_c": "35-40", "appearance": "white flakes", "source": "BASF"}
Function Categories & List Membership
Cosmetic/Chemical Function Categories
Cleaning agent
Emulsifier
Surfactant (surface active agent)
Wetting agent (non-aqueous)
Regulatory List Membership (2)
EPA Safer Chemical Ingredients List (SCIL)
FDA Indirect Food Contact Additives
Expert Verdict
Expert safety assessment and concern-level summary for CETETH-2.
Regulatory Flags
cosing-sourced
eu-permitted
surfactant
needs-enrichment
epa_safer_alternative
NOAEL Studies Summary
View details ->Public NOAEL study rows linked to CETETH-2 by CAS number or substance name.
Studies
1
Lowest NOAEL
300 mg/kg bw/day
Highest NOAEL
300 mg/kg bw/day
ToxValDB_ECHA_IUCLID
Known Synonyms
Hexadecylpoly(ethyleneoxy)ethanol
Oxyethylenated hexadecyl alcohol
Polyethylene glycol cetyl ether
Poly(oxy-1,2-ethanediyl), alpha-hexadecyl-omega-hydroxy-
Cetomacrogol
Poly(oxy-1,2-ethanediyl), .alpha.-hexadecyl-.omega.-hydroxy-
Cetyl poly(oxyethylene) ether
Ethosperse CL20
Hexadecylpoly(ethyleneoxy) ethanol
Polyethylene glycols monohexadecyl ether
Poly(oxyethylene)cetyl ether
Poly(oxyethylene)hexadecyl ether
Poly(oxyethylene)monocetyl ether
Poly(oxyethylene)palmityl ether
alpha-Hexadecyl-omega-hydroxy-poly(oxy-1,2-ethanediyl)
alpha-Hydroxy-omega-cetylpoly(ethylene oxide)
Cetomacrogolum 1000
UNII-I835H2IHHX
UNII-LF9X1PN3XJ
Chemical Function
Surfactant (surface active agent)
Regulatory Lists
Europe; Personal care - liniment
pharmaceutical
SCIL (9/2019)
Indirect additives food contact (10/2018)
inert_ingredient; Pesticides
inert_ingredient; non_food_use; Pesticides
Australian Status
AICIS status: listed
Frequently Asked Questions
Is CETETH-2 allowed in the EU?
CETETH-2 EU regulatory status: permitted. This is based on EU Regulation 1223/2009 and its amendments.
What does CETETH-2 do in cosmetics?
CETETH-2 functions as: Surfactant - Emulsifying. It is classified as a cosmetic ingredient in our database. CAS number: 9004-95-9.
What is the NOAEL for CETETH-2?
The NOAEL (No Observed Adverse Effect Level) for CETETH-2 is =300 mg/kg bw/day based on a reproduction developmental study via oral route in Rat. Source: ToxValDB_ECHA_IUCLID.
Is CETETH-2 used outside cosmetics?
CETETH-2 also appears in industrial chemical safety data. The cross-vertical cards on this page render same-CAS public rows from the matched databases.
Does CETETH-2 have different safety status in cosmetics vs industrial chemicals?
CETETH-2 is classified GHS Danger (H315, H302, H318) in the chemicals database but is allowed in EU cosmetics.
Compliance Tools
Check CETETH-2 compliance across multiple jurisdictions:
Ingredient Decoder
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82 Allergen Checker
Check for EU declarable fragrance allergens
Substance Compliance
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MoS Calculator
Calculate Margin of Safety using SCCS methodology
Heavy Metal Limits
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