Is NITROCELLULOSE safe in cosmetics?
NITROCELLULOSE has a safety rating of "GOOD" in our database. EU status: permitted. US status: permitted. This ingredient has been reviewed by cir.
NITROCELLULOSE
Also known as: RS Nitrocellulose, Cellulose tetranitrate, Fulmicoton, Nitrocellulose E950, R.S.Nitrocellulose (+6 more)
NITROCELLULOSE (CAS 9004-70-0) is a cosmetic active ingredient functioning as Film-forming agent; nail lacquer primary film former; adhesive. EU Regulation 1223/2009 status: permitted, max 22%; GHS signal word DANGER; 1 safety opinion reviewed (cir). Industrial safety data is also available in the chemical safety database.
View industrial chemical safety profile for CAS 9004-70-0 →
Auto-generated CPSR Part A draft with source citations
Function
Film-forming agent; nail lacquer primary film former; adhesive
Safety Rating
GOOD
Regulatory Status
EU EU Status
permitted
EU Max Conc.
22%
US US Status
permitted
US Notes
CIR: safe in present practices of use; max 22% in nail polish/enamels; cosmetic grade nitrogen content 10.7–12.2%; DOT/OSHA flammability classification applies to manufacturing and storage; not individually FDA-approved but acceptable under FD&C Act
For full compliance data across multiple jurisdictions, use the Substance Compliance tool.
Safety Data
Margin of Safety, dermal absorption, and sensitization profile summaries for NITROCELLULOSE.
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.
Signal Word
DANGER
Pictograms
FlamFlame
Hazard Statements
Flammable solid
Short-term Exposure Effects
See Notes.
Long-term Exposure Effects
See Notes.
Routes of Exposure
See Notes.
Safety Opinions
Official safety assessments from the Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety (SCCS) and Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR).
cir
Verdict: safe
Panel concluded that nitrocellulose and collodion are safe in cosmetics in the present practices of use and concentration described in this safety assessment. Authors’ Note M. Fiume contributed to the conception and design, acquisition, anal- ysis, and interpretation and drafted the manuscript;
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.
Additional Jurisdictional Restrictions (1)
| Jurisdiction | Status | Max % | Product Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA | restricted | No concentration limit | Nail products only |
Typical Use Concentrations
Reported concentration ranges per product category from SCCS/CIR/industry sources.
| Product Category | Typical Range | Max Reported | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nail Polish | 10–25 | 30 | CIR/VCRP |
Additional Ingredient Properties
2 property records from structured ingredient metadata.
ecotoxicity
{"biodegradable": "no", "biodegradation_days": "365+", "bioaccumulative": "no", "aquatic_toxicity_level": "low", "coral_reef_safe": "unknown", "marine_toxicity": "low acute toxicity", "freshwater_toxicity": "persistent polymer", "endocrine_disruptor": "no", "persistent_organic_pollutant": "no", "microplastic": "no", "nano_particle": "no", "hawaii_banned": "no", "eu_restricted_environmental": "yes"…
polymer
{"cas_number": "9004-70-0", "ingredient_class": "film_former/nail_film_former", "polymer_type": "modified_natural", "chemical_backbone": "cellulose", "molecular_weight_Da_range": "20000-100000", "ionic_character": "nonionic", "pH_viscosity_sensitivity": "moderate", "salt_tolerance": "moderate", "electrolyte_effect_on_viscosity": "moderate", "temperature_viscosity_sensitivity": "moderate", "film_fl…
Function Categories & List Membership
Cosmetic/Chemical Function Categories
Dispersing agent
Film former
Regulatory List Membership (1)
FDA Indirect Food Contact Additives
Expert Verdict
Expert safety assessment and concern-level summary for NITROCELLULOSE.
Regulatory Flags
flammability-manufacturing-hazard
nail-product-use
solvent-vehicle-penetration
Known Synonyms
RS Nitrocellulose
Cellulose tetranitrate
Fulmicoton
Nitrocellulose E950
R.S.Nitrocellulose
Pyralin
Pirossilina
Piroxilina
Pyroxyline
Pyroxylinum
UNII-KYR8BR2X6O
Chemical Function
Film former
Dispersing agent
Regulatory Lists
Arts and crafts/Office supplies - general arts and crafts supplies - arts and crafts adhesive; Europe
Arts and crafts/Office supplies; Europe
Indirect additives food contact (10/2018)
Europe; Personal care - nails - nail polish
Europe; Toys and children's products
Australian Status
AICIS status: listed
Frequently Asked Questions
Is NITROCELLULOSE allowed in the EU?
NITROCELLULOSE EU regulatory status: permitted. Maximum allowed concentration: 22%. This is based on EU Regulation 1223/2009 and its amendments.
What does NITROCELLULOSE do in cosmetics?
NITROCELLULOSE functions as: Film-forming agent; nail lacquer primary film former; adhesive. It is classified as a Active Ingredient in our database. CAS number: 9004-70-0.
Is NITROCELLULOSE classified as hazardous under GHS?
NITROCELLULOSE carries a GHS signal word of "DANGER". Hazard statements: Flammable solid. 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.
Compliance Tools
Check NITROCELLULOSE 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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