Is Carbon Black safe in cosmetics?
Carbon Black has a safety rating of "MODERATE" in our database. EU status: restricted. US status: permitted. 10 toxicological study endpoint(s) are available in our database.
Carbon Black
Also known as: Aroflow, Arotone, Atlantic, Black Kosmos 33, Cancarb (+15 more)
INCI: CI 77266
Carbon Black (CAS 1333-86-4) is a cosmetic colorant functioning as Colorant; imparts black/dark shades; used in mascaras, eyeliners, hair products. NOAEL 1000 mg/kg bw/day (cross-referenced against ToxValDB ECHA IUCLID); EU Regulation 1223/2009 status: restricted, max 10%; GHS signal word WARNING. 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 1333-86-4 →
Auto-generated CPSR Part A draft with source citations
Cross-Vertical Regulatory Divergence
Carbon Black is classified GHS CMR hazard (H351, H319, H335) in the chemicals database but is restricted in EU cosmetics at max 10%.
Source: Cosmetics: ingredients.eu_status/eu_max; Chemicals: ghs_classifications.signal_word/hazard_statement_code
Function
Colorant; imparts black/dark shades; used in mascaras, eyeliners, hair products
Safety Rating
MODERATE
Chemistry & Identifiers
IUPAC Name
methane
InChIKey
OKTJSMMVPCPJKN-UHFFFAOYSA-N
Regulatory Status
EU EU Status
restricted
EU Max Conc.
10%
US US Status
permitted
US Notes
Permanently listed as D&C Black No. 2 under 21 CFR 74.2052. Certification required. Permitted in eyeliner, eye shadow, mascara, lipstick, blushers, makeup/foundation, and nail enamel. Purity specs: total color >=95%, total PAH <500 ppb, BaP <5 ppb.
For full compliance data across multiple jurisdictions, use the Substance Compliance tool.
Safety Data
Margin of Safety, dermal absorption, and sensitization profile summaries for Carbon Black.
Calculate MoS for your specific formulation with the MoS Calculator.
Toxicological Studies
10 study endpoints found for Carbon Black. 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 | = mg/kg bw/d | oral | rat | developmental toxicity | SCCS_vision_codex |
| NOAEL | = mg/kg bw/d | oral | rat | developmental toxicity | SCCS_vision_codex |
| NOAEL | = mg/kg bw/d | oral | rat | developmental toxicity | SCCS_vision_codex |
| NOAEL | = mg/kg bw/d | oral | rat | developmental toxicity | SCCS_vision_codex |
| NOAEL | =1000 mg/kg/day | oral | rat | NOAEL study | SCCS_vision_codex |
| NOAEL | =1000 mg/kg bw/d | oral | rat | genotoxicity | SCCS_vision_codex |
| NOAEL | =1000 mg/kg/day | oral | rat | NOAEL study | SCCS_vision_codex |
| NOAEL | =1000 mg/kg bw/d | oral | rat | genotoxicity | SCCS_vision_codex |
| NOAEL | =1000 mg/kg/day | oral | rat | NOAEL study | SCCS_vision_codex |
| NOAEL | =1000 mg/kg bw/d | oral | rat | genotoxicity | SCCS_vision_codex |
GHS Hazard Classification
Globally Harmonized System classification per ECHA C&L inventory and ILO/WHO International Chemical Safety Cards.
Signal Word
WARNING
Pictograms
CancerHealth haz
Hazard Statements
Suspected of causing cancer if inhaled May cause damage to lungs through prolonged or repeated exposure if inhaled
Short-term Exposure Effects
May cause mechanical irritation.
Long-term Exposure Effects
Lungs may be affected by repeated or prolongated exposure. This substance is possibly carcinogenic to humans.
Routes of Exposure
The substance can be absorbed into the body by inhalation.
Pre-Calculated Safety Assessment
Pre-calculated NOAEL → SED → MoS audit trail for Carbon Black across SCCS product categories, with measured dermal absorption where available.
IARC Carcinogenicity
International Agency for Research on Cancer (WHO) monograph evaluation.
IARC Group
2B
Volume
Sup 7, 65, 93
Evaluation Year
2006
ECHA REACH Registration
European Chemicals Agency REACH dossier and Substances of Very High Concern listing.
Registration Type
Full
Tonnage Band
1,000,000 - 10,000,000 tonnes
Substance Type
SUBSTANCE
SVHC Candidate
No
EU CosIng Annex Listing
European Commission CosIng database Annex references per Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009.
Annex IV — Permitted Colorants
Product type: Black
10%
Expanded Jurisdictional Detail
Additional regulatory detail beyond the 7-jurisdiction summary: Saudi SFDA, Korea MFDS, ASEAN ACD, Japan/Korea, Brazil/India, and cross-jurisdictional restriction entries.
SA Saudi SFDA (IV - Colorants)
BRIN Brazil/India Cosmetics
India: Permitted Colorant
India: Permitted Colorant · max 0.1
Additional Jurisdictional Restrictions (3)
| Jurisdiction | Status | Max % | Product Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| CN | permitted_colorant | 10 | All cosmetics (Class 1) |
| BR | permitted_colorant | - | Column 3: Not near mucous membranes under normal use |
| ASEAN | permitted_colorant | - | All products (not mucous membranes — purity restrictions) |
Additional Ingredient Properties
1 property record from structured ingredient metadata.
colorant
{"Common_Name": "Vegetable Carbon Black", "Chemical_Name": "Carbon (vegetable origin)", "CAS_Number": "1333-86-4", "Colorant_Type": "Natural Pigment", "Approved_Uses": "All cosmetics", "Max_Concentration_%": "No limit", "EU_Status": "Approved", "US_FDA_Status": "Approved", "Notes": "From charred plant materials"}
PubChem Annotations
Safety and regulatory annotations from PubChem (NCBI) aggregated sources.
Safety (3)
Endocrine Disruptors
Potential endocrine disrupting compound
Source: NORMAN Suspect List Exchange
ICSC Safety Card
0702
Source: ILO-WHO International Chemical Safety Cards (ICSCs)
Skin Eye Respiratory Irritation
It can cause a dust irritation, particularly to the eyes and mucous membranes.
Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
Regulatory (1)
JECFA Evaluation
DECOLOURIZING CARBON | 1987 | NOT LIMITED | TRS 759-JECFA 31/25 | FAS 70.39/NMRS 48A-JECFA 14/79 (1970)
Source: Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA)
Function Categories & List Membership
Cosmetic/Chemical Function Categories
Anti-static agent
Antioxidant
Catalyst
Conductive agent
Corrosion inhibitor
Degradant/impurity
Dye
Filler
Pigment
Processing aids not otherwise specified
Regulatory List Membership (4)
California Proposition 65 (OEHHA)
EU Regulated in Personal Care
FDA Indirect Food Contact Additives
EU CosIng Cosmetics Ingredient Database
Expert Verdict
Expert safety assessment and concern-level summary for Carbon Black.
Regulatory Flags
iarc-2b
nano-regulated
inhalation-risk
pah-impurity-risk
spray-restriction
batch-coa-required
eu-annex-iv
fda-certified-color
prop65
eu_cosing_listed
jecfa_concern
NOAEL Studies Summary
View details ->Public NOAEL study rows linked to Carbon Black by CAS number or substance name.
Studies
12
Lowest NOAEL
0
Highest NOAEL
1000
Units vary across source rows: mg/kg/day, mg/kg bw/d
SCCS_vision_codex
Known Synonyms
Aroflow
Arotone
Atlantic
Black Kosmos 33
Cancarb
Carbodis
Carbomet
Carbon, amorphous
Carbon black, acetylene
Carbon Black BV and V
Carbon black, channel
Carbon black, furnace
Carbon black, lamp
Carbon black, thermal
CI Pigment black 7
Collocarb
Columbia carbon
Continex
Croflex
Degussa
Chemical Function
Dye
Pigment
Anti-static agent
UV stabilizer
Regulatory Lists
Canada; consumer_product; Substances in Products - Canada (4/2014)
inert_ingredient; non_food_use; Pesticides
Europe
Indirect additives food contact (10/2018)
Arts and crafts/Office supplies - body paint - tattoo ink; Europe
Europe; Personal care - hair coloring
Arts and crafts/Office supplies - general arts and crafts supplies - arts and crafts paint; Europe
Arts and crafts/Office supplies - body paint - tattoo ink; Europe
Arts and crafts/Office supplies - body paint - tattoo ink; Europe
Arts and crafts/Office supplies - body paint - tattoo ink; Europe
Europe; plastic_additive
Europe; Personal care
Canada; pharmaceutical
Arts and crafts/Office supplies - general arts and crafts supplies - arts and crafts paint; Europe
OEHHA Proposition 65 (3/2019)
OEHHA Proposition 65 (1/2023)
Europe; Personal care
Europe; Personal care
Australian Status
AICIS status: listed
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Carbon Black allowed in the EU?
Carbon Black EU regulatory status: restricted. Maximum allowed concentration: 10%. This is based on EU Regulation 1223/2009 and its amendments.
What does Carbon Black do in cosmetics?
Carbon Black functions as: Colorant; imparts black/dark shades; used in mascaras, eyeliners, hair products. It is classified as a Colorant in our database. CAS number: 1333-86-4.
What is the NOAEL for Carbon Black?
The NOAEL (No Observed Adverse Effect Level) for Carbon Black is =0 mg/kg bw/d based on a developmental toxicity study via oral route in rat. A total of 10 study endpoints are available. Source: SCCS_vision_codex.
Is Carbon Black classified as hazardous under GHS?
Carbon Black carries a GHS signal word of "WARNING". Hazard statements: Suspected of causing cancer if inhaled May cause damage to lungs through prolonged or repeated exposure if inhaled. This classification is based on the ILO/WHO International Chemical Safety Card and ECHA C&L inventory data. Note: GHS classification applies to the pure substance — at cosmetic use concentrations, hazard thresholds may not be met.
Is Carbon Black used outside cosmetics?
Carbon Black also appears in industrial chemical safety data. The cross-vertical cards on this page render same-CAS public rows from the matched databases.
Does Carbon Black have different safety status in cosmetics vs industrial chemicals?
Carbon Black is classified GHS CMR hazard (H351, H319, H335) in the chemicals database but is restricted in EU cosmetics at max 10%.
Compliance Tools
Check Carbon Black compliance across multiple jurisdictions:
Ingredient Decoder
Paste a full ingredient list for instant analysis
82 Allergen Checker
Check for EU declarable fragrance allergens
Substance Compliance
Check compliance across multiple jurisdictions
MoS Calculator
Calculate Margin of Safety using SCCS methodology
Heavy Metal Limits
Compare limits across jurisdictions
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Chemical family
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Chemical family
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