Also known as: Amalgum, Caswell No. 735, EINECS 231-131-3, EPA Pesticide Chemical Code 072501, Germany: C-Pigment 2 (+12 more)
INCI: SILVER (NANO)
Colloidal Silver (CAS 7440-22-4) is a cosmetic active ingredient functioning as Antimicrobial; preservative; used historically in deodorants, anti-acne. NOAEL 0.0045 mg/kg bw/day (PDF-verified against ToxValDB ECHA IUCLID); EU Regulation 1223/2009 status: prohibited, max Nano silver particles prohibited under EU Omnibus VIII (Regulation EU 2024/2564); compliance deadline 1 May 2026; 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 and food safety data.
View industrial chemical safety profile for CAS 7440-22-4 →
Colloidal Silver is prohibited in EU cosmetics at max Nano silver particles prohibited under EU Omnibus VIII (Regulation EU 2024/2564); compliance deadline 1 May 2026 but has active industrial GHS classifications (H400, H410).
Source: Cosmetics: ingredients.eu_status/eu_max; Chemicals: ghs_classifications.signal_word/hazard_statement_code
For full compliance data across multiple jurisdictions, use the Substance Compliance tool.
Margin of Safety, dermal absorption, and sensitization profile summaries for Colloidal Silver.
Calculate MoS for your specific formulation with the MoS Calculator.
10 study endpoints found for Colloidal Silver. 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 | =0.00056 mg/kg bw/d | oral | human | NOAEL study | SCCS_vision_codex |
| NOAEL | =0.00056 mg/kg bw/d | oral | human | NOAEL study | SCCS_vision_codex |
| NOAEL | =0.00056 mg/kg bw/d | oral | human | NOAEL study | SCCS_vision_codex |
| NOAEL | =0.00056 mg/kg bw/d | oral | human | NOAEL study | SCCS_vision_codex |
| NOAEL | =0.0045 mg/kg bw/d | oral | rat | repeated dose toxicity | SCCS_vision_codex |
| NOAEL | =0.0045 mg/kg bw/d | oral | rat | repeated dose toxicity | SCCS_vision_codex |
| NOAEL | =0.0045 mg/kg bw/d | oral | rat | repeated dose toxicity | SCCS_vision_codex |
| NOAEL | =0.0045 mg/kg bw/d | oral | rat | repeated dose toxicity | SCCS_vision_codex |
| NOAEL | =0.0045 mg/kg bw/d | oral | rat | repeated dose toxicity | SCCS_vision_codex |
| NOAEL | =0.0045 mg/kg bw/d | oral | rat | repeated dose toxicity | SCCS_vision_codex |
Globally Harmonized System classification per ECHA C&L inventory and ILO/WHO International Chemical Safety Cards.
Official safety assessments from the Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety (SCCS) and Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR).
classification as toxic for reproduction Cat. 2, the SCCS considers micron-sized particulate Silver not safe at concentrations up to 0.2 % in rinse-off and 0.3 % in leave-on cosmetic products when used alone or in combination. However, the use of micron-sized particulate Silver in eye shadow and oral
classification as toxic for reproduction Cat. 2, the SCCS considers micron-sized particulate Silver not safe at concentrations up to 0.2 % in rinse-off and 0.3 % in leave-on cosmetic products when used alone or in combination. However, the use of micron-sized particulate Silver in eye shadow and oral
classification as toxic for reproduction Cat. 2, the SCCS considers micron-sized particulate Silver not safe at concentrations up to 0.2 % in rinse-off and 0.3 % in leave-on cosmetic products when used alone or in combination. However, the use of micron-sized particulate Silver in eye shadow and oral
classification as toxic for reproduction Cat. 2, the SCCS considers micron-sized particulate Silver not safe at concentrations up to 0.2 % in rinse-off and 0.3 % in leave-on cosmetic products when used alone or in combination. However, the use of micron-sized particulate Silver in eye shadow and oral
Pre-calculated NOAEL → SED → MoS audit trail for Colloidal Silver across SCCS product categories, with measured dermal absorption where available.
Legally binding harmonized classification per Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008 (CLP) Annex VI.
Inserted via ATP: ATP22
European Chemicals Agency REACH dossier and Substances of Very High Concern listing.
European Commission CosIng database Annex references per Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009.
Additional regulatory detail beyond the 7-jurisdiction summary: Saudi SFDA, Korea MFDS, ASEAN ACD, Japan/Korea, Brazil/India, and cross-jurisdictional restriction entries.
| Jurisdiction | Status | Max % | Product Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| CN | permitted_colorant | - | All cosmetics (Class 1) |
| BR | permitted_colorant | - | Column 3: Not near mucous membranes |
| UK | restricted | - | - |
| CA | restricted | 0.04% (mouthwash only) | Mouthwash only |
| ASEAN | permitted_colorant | - | All products |
Cross-database dermal penetration: EPA Dryad physics-based, Roberts Mendeley permeation, and SCCS-aggregated measured values.
| Type | DA % | Method | Skin Model | SCCS Ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| default | 1.76 | method=default; type=in_vitro | - | - |
| measured | 1.0 | method=measured | - | - |
| measured | 4.0 | method=measured | - | - |
| measured | 5.0 | method=measured; type=in_vitro | - | - |
| default | 1.76 | method=default | - | - |
Expert safety assessment and concern-level summary for Colloidal Silver.
Public NOAEL study rows linked to Colloidal Silver by CAS number or substance name.
Units vary across source rows: mg/kg bw/d, mg/kg, mg/kg bw/day
| Absorption % | Method | Vehicle |
|---|---|---|
| 1.76 | method=default; type=in_vitro | - |
| 1.0 | method=measured | - |
| 4.0 | method=measured | - |
| 5.0 | method=measured; type=in_vitro | - |
| 1.76 | method=default | - |
Same-CAS public records found in food safety data.
Same-CAS food additive or FDA GRAS records from the core public database.
Colloidal Silver has a safety rating of "POOR" in our database. EU status: prohibited. US status: prohibited. 10 toxicological study endpoint(s) are available in our database. This ingredient has been reviewed by sccs.
Colloidal Silver EU regulatory status: prohibited. Maximum allowed concentration: Nano silver particles prohibited under EU Omnibus VIII (Regulation EU 2024/2564); compliance deadline 1 May 2026. This is based on EU Regulation 1223/2009 and its amendments.
Colloidal Silver functions as: Antimicrobial; preservative; used historically in deodorants, anti-acne products, and preservation systems due to broad-spectrum antibacterial activity. It is classified as a Active Ingredient in our database. CAS number: 7440-22-4.
The NOAEL (No Observed Adverse Effect Level) for Colloidal Silver is =0.00056 mg/kg bw/d based on a NOAEL study study via oral route in human. A total of 10 study endpoints are available. Source: SCCS_vision_codex.
Colloidal Silver carries a GHS signal word of "WARNING". Hazard statements: Very toxic to aquatic life with long lasting effects. 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.
Colloidal Silver also appears in industrial chemical safety and food safety data. The cross-vertical cards on this page render same-CAS public rows from the matched databases.
Colloidal Silver is prohibited in EU cosmetics at max Nano silver particles prohibited under EU Omnibus VIII (Regulation EU 2024/2564); compliance deadline 1 May 2026 but has active industrial GHS classifications (H400, H410).
Check Colloidal Silver compliance across multiple jurisdictions:
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