Is Methoxyethanol Acetate safe in cosmetics?
Methoxyethanol Acetate has a safety rating of "MODERATE" in our database. EU status: prohibited. US status: prohibited.
Methoxyethanol Acetate
Also known as: Methyl cellosolve acetate, Ethanol, 2-methoxy-, 1-acetate, Acetic acid 2-methoxyethyl ester, BRN 1700761, Ethylene glycol monomethyl ether acetate (+14 more)
INCI: METHOXYETHANOL ACETATE
Methoxyethanol Acetate (CAS 110-49-6) is a cosmetic cosmetic ingredient functioning as Solvent. EU Regulation 1223/2009 status: prohibited. 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 110-49-6 →
Auto-generated CPSR Part A draft with source citations
Cross-Vertical Regulatory Divergence
Methoxyethanol Acetate is prohibited in EU cosmetics but has active industrial GHS classifications (H302, H312, H332, H360FD, H226, H320, H331, H360).
Source: Cosmetics: ingredients.eu_status; Chemicals: ghs_classifications.signal_word/hazard_statement_code
Function
Solvent
Safety Rating
MODERATE
Chemistry & Identifiers
IUPAC Name
2-methoxyethyl acetate
InChIKey
XLLIQLLCWZCATF-UHFFFAOYSA-N
Regulatory Status
EU EU Status
prohibited
US US Status
prohibited
US Notes
Not explicitly prohibited by FDA, but recognized reproductive toxicant; effectively avoided in cosmetic formulations
For full compliance data across multiple jurisdictions, use the Substance Compliance tool.
Safety Data
Margin of Safety, dermal absorption, and sensitization profile summaries for Methoxyethanol Acetate.
Calculate MoS for your specific formulation with the MoS Calculator.
GHS Hazard Classification
Globally Harmonized System classification per ECHA C&L inventory and ILO/WHO International Chemical Safety Cards.
Short-term Exposure Effects
The vapour is mildly irritating to the eyes. The substance may cause effects on the bone marrow and central nervous system. The substance may cause effects on the blood at high levels. This may result in lesions of blood cells and kidney impairment. Exposure far above the OEL could cause unconsciousness.
Long-term Exposure Effects
The substance defats the skin, which may cause dryness or cracking. The substance may have effects on the bone marrow and blood. This may result in lesions of blood cells and kidney impairment. May cause toxicity to human reproduction or development.
Routes of Exposure
The substance can be absorbed into the body by inhalation of its vapour, through the skin and by ingestion.
EU CLP Annex VI Harmonized Classification
Legally binding harmonized classification per Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008 (CLP) Annex VI.
Signal Word
Danger
Pictograms
Health HazardHarmful / Irritant
Hazard Class and Category
Repr. 1B; Acute Tox. 4 *; Acute Tox. 4 *; Acute Tox. 4 *
Hazard Statements
- H360FD
- H332 Harmful if inhaled
- H312 Harmful in contact with skin
- H302 Harmful if swallowed
Inserted via ATP: CLP00
ECHA REACH Registration
European Chemicals Agency REACH dossier and Substances of Very High Concern listing.
Substance of Very High Concern (SVHC)
Included: 16-Jul-2019
Toxic for reproduction (Article 57c)
EU CosIng Annex Listing
European Commission CosIng database Annex references per Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009.
Annex II — Prohibited
Ref: 672
(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.
ASEAN Cosmetic Directive (II)
Ref: 672
BRIN Brazil/India Cosmetics
Brazil: Prohibited
Additional Jurisdictional Restrictions (2)
| Jurisdiction | Status | Max % | Product Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA | banned | - | - |
| KR | prohibited | - | - |
PubChem Annotations
Safety and regulatory annotations from PubChem (NCBI) aggregated sources.
Safety (2)
ICSC Safety Card
0476
Source: ILO-WHO International Chemical Safety Cards (ICSCs)
Skin Eye Respiratory Irritation
Irritation eyes, nose, throat.
Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
Function Categories & List Membership
Cosmetic/Chemical Function Categories
Fragrance
Solvent
Viscosity modifier
Regulatory List Membership (2)
California Proposition 65 (OEHHA)
Consumer Product Chemical
Expert Verdict
Expert safety assessment and concern-level summary for Methoxyethanol Acetate.
Regulatory Flags
prop65
Known Synonyms
Methyl cellosolve acetate
Ethanol, 2-methoxy-, 1-acetate
Acetic acid 2-methoxyethyl ester
BRN 1700761
Ethylene glycol monomethyl ether acetate
Ethylene glycol monomethyl ether monoacetate
2-Methoxyethanol, acetate
Methyl glycol monoacetate
Methylcellosolveacetate
Methylglycolacetate
2-Methyoxyethylacetate
2-Methoxyaethylacetat
2-Methoxy-ethyl acetaat
2-Methoxyethyle, acetate de
2-Methoxyethylester kyseliny octove
2-Metossietilacetato
Acetate de l'ether monomethylique de l'ethylene-glycol
Acetate de methyle glycol
Acetato di metil cellosolve
Chemical Function
Solvent
Viscosity modifier
Fragrance
Regulatory Lists
Cons electronics mech appliances and machinery; Europe
OEHHA Proposition 65 (3/2019)
OEHHA Proposition 65 (1/2023)
consumer_product
Australian Status
AICIS status: listed
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Methoxyethanol Acetate allowed in the EU?
Methoxyethanol Acetate EU regulatory status: prohibited. This is based on EU Regulation 1223/2009 and its amendments.
What does Methoxyethanol Acetate do in cosmetics?
Methoxyethanol Acetate functions as: Solvent. It is classified as a cosmetic ingredient in our database. CAS number: 110-49-6.
Is Methoxyethanol Acetate used outside cosmetics?
Methoxyethanol Acetate also appears in industrial chemical safety data. The cross-vertical cards on this page render same-CAS public rows from the matched databases.
Does Methoxyethanol Acetate have different safety status in cosmetics vs industrial chemicals?
Methoxyethanol Acetate is prohibited in EU cosmetics but has active industrial GHS classifications (H302, H312, H332, H360FD, H226, H320, H331, H360).
Compliance Tools
Check Methoxyethanol Acetate compliance across multiple jurisdictions:
Ingredient Decoder
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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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