Is DIETHYLHEXYL PHTHALATE safe in cosmetics?
DIETHYLHEXYL PHTHALATE has a safety rating of "MODERATE" in our database. EU status: restricted.
DIETHYLHEXYL PHTHALATE
Also known as: 1,2-Benzenedicarboxylic acid, bis(2-ethylhexyl) ester, DEHP, Bis-(2-ethylhexyl)-phthalate, di(alpha-Ethylhexyl) phthalate, 2-Ethylhexyl phthalate (+15 more)
DIETHYLHEXYL PHTHALATE (CAS 117-81-7) is a cosmetic cosmetic ingredient functioning as Fragrance, Perfuming, Plasticiser, Solvent. NOAEL 3 mg/kg bw/day (cross-referenced against ToxValDB ECHA IUCLID); EU Regulation 1223/2009 status: restricted, max II/677. Industrial safety data is also available in the chemical safety database. Same-CAS public records also appear in industrial chemical safety and pharmaceutical data.
View industrial chemical safety profile for CAS 117-81-7 →
Auto-generated CPSR Part A draft with source citations
Cross-Vertical Regulatory Divergence
DIETHYLHEXYL PHTHALATE is classified GHS Danger (H360, H350, H360FD, H320, H335, H351, H373, H400) in the chemicals database but is restricted in EU cosmetics at max II/677.
Source: Cosmetics: ingredients.eu_status/eu_max; Chemicals: ghs_classifications.signal_word/hazard_statement_code
Function
Fragrance, Perfuming, Plasticiser, Solvent
Safety Rating
MODERATE
Chemistry & Identifiers
IUPAC Name
bis(2-ethylhexyl) benzene-1,2-dicarboxylate
InChIKey
BJQHLKABXJIVAM-UHFFFAOYSA-N
Regulatory Status
EU EU Status
restricted
EU Max Conc.
II/677
US US Status
Not specifically regulated
For full compliance data across multiple jurisdictions, use the Substance Compliance tool.
GHS Hazard Classification
Globally Harmonized System classification per ECHA C&L inventory and ILO/WHO International Chemical Safety Cards.
Short-term Exposure Effects
The substance is irritating to the eyes and respiratory tract.
Long-term Exposure Effects
The substance may have effects on the testes. Animal tests show that this substance possibly causes toxicity to human reproduction or development.
Routes of Exposure
The substance can be absorbed into the body by inhalation, through the skin and by ingestion.
Pre-Calculated Safety Assessment
Pre-calculated NOAEL → SED → MoS audit trail for DIETHYLHEXYL PHTHALATE across SCCS product categories, with measured dermal absorption where available.
EPA ToxValDB — Toxicity Values
10 toxicity values from EPA ToxValDB (aggregated from CCTE, HPV, ToxRefDB, IRIS, and other regulatory dossiers).
| Endpoint | Value | Species | Route | Duration | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| cancer slope factor | =0.0084 (mg/kg-day)-1 | Human | inhalation | chronic | Cal OEHHA |
| cancer slope factor | =0.003 (mg/kg-day)-1 | Human | oral | chronic | Cal OEHHA |
| MRL | =0.00319481 mg/m3 | Human | inhalation | - | ATSDR MRLs |
| MRL | =0.003 mg/kg-day | Human | oral | - | ATSDR MRLs |
| MRL | =0.0001 mg/kg-day | Human | oral | - | ATSDR MRLs |
| BMDL | =3.8 mg/kg-day | Rat | oral | - | MN MDH HHBW |
| LOEL | =405 mg/kg-day | Rat | oral | short-term (developmental) | HAWC Project |
| NOEL | =135 mg/kg-day | Rat | oral | short-term (developmental) | HAWC Project |
| NOEL | =405 mg/kg-day | Rat | oral | short-term (developmental) | HAWC Project |
| NOAEL | =5 mg/kg-day | Rat | oral | - | EFSA |
IARC Carcinogenicity
International Agency for Research on Cancer (WHO) monograph evaluation.
IARC Group
2B
Volume
Sup 7, 77, 101
Evaluation Year
2011
EU CLP Annex VI Harmonized Classification
Legally binding harmonized classification per Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008 (CLP) Annex VI.
Signal Word
Danger
Pictograms
Health Hazard
Hazard Class and Category
Repr. 1B
Hazard Statements
- H360FD
Inserted via ATP: CLP00
Endocrine Disruptor Evidence (Expanded)
Cross-referenced EDC classifications, mechanism data, and dose-response evidence from EDLists, SIN List, and cosmetic-specific detail sources.
Confirmed
Evidence: High
(2014)
Health effects: Yes
Affected pathways: Anti-androgenic, PPARγ
Regulatory framework: REACH
Source list: I
Cosmetic-Specific Mechanism
Category: phthalate
Receptor targets: ERα, AR, PPARγ, TR, GR
LOEC: 1 µM
EU status: banned in cosmetics (CMR 1B); SVHC REACH
agonist (ER, PPARγ); antagonist (AR, TR)
Dose-Response Data Points
| Endpoint | Target | Value | Direction |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cell proliferation (agonist, ICI-blocked) | ER | EC50/IC50: ~30% E2 max effect at 30 uM; EC50 not formally calculated; LOEC: 30 uM; NOEC: 3 uM mixed | agonist (moderate) |
| Estradiol (E2) and testosterone (T) secretion | steroidogenesis | EC50/IC50: LOEC for E2: 1 uM; max 2-fold uparrow E2 at 3 uM; LOEC: 1 uM; NOEC: 0.3 uM mixed | modulator (uparrow E2, weak uparrow T) |
| AR luciferase activity (agonist/antagonist) | AR | EC50/IC50: No IC50 (not specifically antiandrogenic); LOEC: N/A; NOEC: 100 uM mixed | not active / nonspecific inhibition >=100 uM |
ECHA REACH Registration
European Chemicals Agency REACH dossier and Substances of Very High Concern listing.
Registration Type
Full
Tonnage Band
10,000 - 100,000 tonnes
Substance Type
SUBSTANCE
SVHC Candidate
Yes (since 28-Oct-2008)
Hazard classification: Restricted (Annex XVII)
SVHC reason: Toxic for reproduction (Article 57c)
Substance of Very High Concern (SVHC)
Included: 28-Oct-2008
Toxic for reproduction (Article 57c); Endocrine disrupting properties (Article 57(f) - environment); Endocrine disrupting properties (Article 57(f) - human health)
EU CosIng Annex Listing
European Commission CosIng database Annex references per Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009.
Annex II — Prohibited
Ref: 677
(EC) 2009/1223
CMR: Reprotoxic Cat. 1B()
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 (II - Prohibited)
ASEAN Cosmetic Directive (II)
Ref: 677
BRIN Brazil/India Cosmetics
Brazil: Prohibited
India: Prohibited (GNRAS)
Additional Jurisdictional Restrictions (3)
| Jurisdiction | Status | Max % | Product Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| AU | banned | - | all |
| CA | banned | - | - |
| KR | prohibited | - | - |
Expanded Dermal Absorption Data
Cross-database dermal penetration: EPA Dryad physics-based, Roberts Mendeley permeation, and SCCS-aggregated measured values.
Roberts Skin Permeation (Mendeley 2022)
MW: 390.56
Log Kow: 5.03
Log Kp: -4.096910013008056
Log Jmax: -12.997492841837966
Source: Roberts_Cheruvu_Mendeley_2022
Aggregated DA Values (2 records across 5 sources)
| Type | DA % | Method | Skin Model | SCCS Ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| measured_sccs_opinion | 5.0% | - | - | SCCP/1016/06 |
| measured_sccs_opinion | 5.0% | - | - | SCCP/1016/06 |
PubChem Annotations
Safety and regulatory annotations from PubChem (NCBI) aggregated sources.
Safety (8)
Carcinogen Classification
2B, possibly carcinogenic to humans. (L135)
Source: Toxin and Toxin Target Database (T3DB)
Carcinogen Classification
Di(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate | Group 2B: Possibly carcinogenic to humans | Volume Sup 7: Overall Evaluations of Carcinogenicity: An Updating of IARC Monographs Volumes 1 to 42, 1987; 440 pages; ISBN 92-832-1411-0 (out of print) | Volume 77: (2000) Some Industrial Chemicals | Volume 101: (2012) Some Chemicals Present in Industrial and Consumer Products, Food and Drinking-water
Source: International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC)
Carcinogen Classification
Di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate | TR-601: Toxicology and Carcinogenesis Studies of Di(2-ethylhexyl) Phthalate (CASRN 117-81-7) Administered in Feed to Sprague Dawley (Hsd:Sprague Dawley SD) Rats (2021 ) | 04/02/21 | Clear Evidence | Clear Evidence | Clear Evidence | Clear Evidence | During the perinatal period, lower maternal mean body weight, maternal mean body weight gain, and feed consumpti
Source: NTP Technical Reports
Carcinogen Classification
Di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate | TR-217: Carcinogenesis Bioassay of Di(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate (CASRN 117-81-7) in F344 Rats and B6C3F1 Mice (Feed Studies) (1982 ) | 10/15/80 | Clear Evidence | Clear Evidence | Clear Evidence | Clear Evidence | Under the conditions of this bioassay, di(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate wascarcinogenic for F344 rats and B6C3F1 mice, causing increased incidences offemale r
Source: NTP Technical Reports
Evidence for Carcinogenicity
Classification of carcinogenicity: There is inadequate evidence in humans for the carcinogenicity of di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate. There is sufficient evidence in experimental animals for the carcinogenicity of di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate. Overall evaluation: Di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate is not classifiable as to its carcinogenicity to humans (Group 3). | bis(2-Ethylhexyl) Phthalate: reasonably anticip
Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
Regulatory (2)
JECFA Evaluation
bis(2-ETHYLHEXYL)PHTHALATE | 1989 | The Committee previously concluded that DEHP is a peroxisome-proliferator and carcinogen in the livers of both rats and mice and induces age-dependent testicular atrophy in rats. The use of food-contact materials from which bis(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate may migrate is provisionally accepted on condition that the amount of the substance migrating into food is reduc
Source: Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA)
JECFA Evaluation
DEHP | 1989 | The Committee previously concluded that DEHP is a peroxisome-proliferator and carcinogen in the livers of both rats and mice and induces age-dependent testicular atrophy in rats. The use of food-contact materials from which bis(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate may migrate is provisionally accepted on condition that the amount of the substance migrating into food is reduced to the lowest level
Source: Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA)
Function Categories & List Membership
Cosmetic/Chemical Function Categories
Catalyst
Degradant/impurity
Deodorizer
Fragrance
Plasticizer
Solvent
Regulatory List Membership (6)
California Proposition 65 (OEHHA)
EU Banned in Cosmetics
IFRA Fragrance Transparency List
FDA Indirect Food Contact Additives
Consumer Product Chemical
EU CosIng Cosmetics Ingredient Database
Expert Verdict
Expert safety assessment and concern-level summary for DIETHYLHEXYL PHTHALATE.
Regulatory Flags
cosing-sourced
eu-restricted
fragrance
needs-enrichment
prop65
eu_banned_cosmetics
ifra_fragrance
eu_cosing_listed
Dermal Absorption
View details ->| Absorption % | Method | Vehicle |
|---|---|---|
| 5.0% | SCCS opinion extraction | - |
| 5.0% | SCCS opinion extraction | - |
Known Synonyms
1,2-Benzenedicarboxylic acid, bis(2-ethylhexyl) ester
DEHP
Bis-(2-ethylhexyl)-phthalate
di(alpha-Ethylhexyl) phthalate
2-Ethylhexyl phthalate
Di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate
Dioctylphthalate
BRN 1890696
Caswell No. 392K
Compound 889
Di(2-ethylhexyl) orthophthalate
Di(2-ethylhexyl)orthophthalate
EINECS 204-211-0
EPA Pesticide Chemical Code 295200
Flexol Plasticizer DOP
Hatcol DOP
Hercoflex 260
Mollan O
NCI-C52733
Nuoplaz DOP
Chemical Function
Solvent
Plasticizer
Deodorizer
Fragrance
Degradant/impurity
Catalyst
Regulatory Lists
banned; Europe; Personal care
detected; Europe; Vehicle - car interior
detected; emissions; Europe; Other indirect contact consumer goods; water
detected; Toys and children's products
Arts and crafts/Office supplies - children's art and toys - modeling clay; detected
air; detected; emissions; Europe; Vehicle - car interior
fracking; water
air; detected; emissions; Europe; Vehicle - car interior
air; detected; emissions; Europe; Vehicle - car interior
air; detected; emissions; Europe; Vehicle - car interior
detected; Europe; Vehicle - car interior
drinking_water; Europe; manufacturing; plastic_additive
Indirect additives food contact (10/2018)
detected; Other direct contact consumer goods; Toys and children's products
IFRA Transparency
consumer_product
OEHHA Proposition 65 (3/2019)
OEHHA Proposition 65 (1/2023)
Australian Status
AICIS status: listed_with_terms
Specific information requirements: Obligations to provide information apply. These obligations are: 1. A person introducing this chemical must tell us in writing within 28 calendar days if any of the following circumstances have occurred in relation to their introduction (importation or manufacture): a. Additional information becoming available on the...
Cross-Vertical Safety Context
Same-CAS public records found in pharmaceutical data.
SOURCE
ChEMBL / DrugCentral / FAERS
DB_PHARMA CAS match
Pharmaceutical Data
Same-CAS rows from the pharmaceutical spoke database.
Compound
BIS(2-ETHYLHEXYL) PHTHALATE
ChEMBL ID
CHEMBL1242017
Frequently Asked Questions
Is DIETHYLHEXYL PHTHALATE allowed in the EU?
DIETHYLHEXYL PHTHALATE EU regulatory status: restricted. Maximum allowed concentration: II/677. This is based on EU Regulation 1223/2009 and its amendments.
What does DIETHYLHEXYL PHTHALATE do in cosmetics?
DIETHYLHEXYL PHTHALATE functions as: Fragrance, Perfuming, Plasticiser, Solvent. It is classified as a cosmetic ingredient in our database. CAS number: 117-81-7.
Is DIETHYLHEXYL PHTHALATE used outside cosmetics?
DIETHYLHEXYL PHTHALATE also appears in industrial chemical safety and pharmaceutical data. The cross-vertical cards on this page render same-CAS public rows from the matched databases.
Does DIETHYLHEXYL PHTHALATE have different safety status in cosmetics vs industrial chemicals?
DIETHYLHEXYL PHTHALATE is classified GHS Danger (H360, H350, H360FD, H320, H335, H351, H373, H400) in the chemicals database but is restricted in EU cosmetics at max II/677.
Compliance Tools
Check DIETHYLHEXYL PHTHALATE 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
Compare limits across jurisdictions
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