Is Phosphoric Acid safe in cosmetics?
Phosphoric Acid has a safety rating of "GOOD" in our database. EU status: permitted. US status: permitted.
Phosphoric Acid
Also known as: Phosphoric acid Divosan X-Tend formulation, Caswell No. 662, EINECS 231-633-2, EPA Pesticide Chemical Code 076001, FEMA No. 2900 (+15 more)
INCI: PHOSPHORIC ACID
Phosphoric Acid (CAS 7664-38-2) is a cosmetic active ingredient functioning as pH buffering agent, chelating agent. NOAEL 322.88 mg/kg bw/day (cross-referenced against ToxValDB ECHA IUCLID); EU Regulation 1223/2009 status: permitted, max 49%; GHS signal word DANGER. 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 7664-38-2 →
Auto-generated CPSR Part A draft with source citations
Cross-Vertical Regulatory Divergence
Phosphoric Acid is classified GHS Danger (H290, H302, H314, H318, H332, H313, H335, H331) in the chemicals database but is allowed in EU cosmetics at max 49%.
Source: Cosmetics: ingredients.eu_status/eu_max; Chemicals: ghs_classifications.signal_word/hazard_statement_code
Function
pH buffering agent, chelating agent
Safety Rating
GOOD
Chemistry & Identifiers
IUPAC Name
phosphoric acid
InChIKey
NBIIXXVUZAFLBC-UHFFFAOYSA-N
Regulatory Status
EU EU Status
permitted
EU Max Conc.
49%
US US Status
permitted
US Notes
No specific restrictions
For full compliance data across multiple jurisdictions, use the Substance Compliance tool.
Safety Data
Margin of Safety, dermal absorption, and sensitization profile summaries for Phosphoric Acid.
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
CorrExcl markWarn
Hazard Statements
May be osive to metals Causes severe skin burns and eye damage May cause respiratory irritation Harmful to aquatic life See Notes
Short-term Exposure Effects
The substance is corrosive to the eyes, skin and respiratory tract. Corrosive on ingestion. Inhalation may cause asthma-like reactions (RADS). Exposure could cause asphyxiation due to swelling in the throat. Inhalation of high concentrations may cause lung oedema, but only after initial corrosive effects on the eyes and the upper respiratory tract have become manifest. Inhalation of high concentrations may cause pneumonitis. See Notes.
Long-term Exposure Effects
The substance may have effects on the upper respiratory tract and lungs. This may result in chronic inflammation and reduced lung function . Mists of this strong inorganic acid are carcinogenic to humans. See Notes.
Routes of Exposure
Serious local effects by all routes of exposure.
Pre-Calculated Safety Assessment
Pre-calculated NOAEL → SED → MoS audit trail for Phosphoric Acid 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| LD50 | =2740 mg/kg | Rabbit | dermal | - | HPVIS |
| LD50 | =1530 mg/kg | Rat | oral | - | HPVIS |
| LD50 | =1530 mg/kg | Rat | oral | acute | NIOSH IDLH |
| OEL | =1 mg/m3 | Human | inhalation | - | EU SCOEL |
| LC50 | =1.689 mg/L | Rabbit | inhalation | - | HPVIS |
| NOAEL | =282 mg/kg-day | Rat | oral | short-term | HPVIS |
| NOAEL | =410 mg/kg-day | Rat | oral | short-term | HPVIS |
| NOAEL | =370 mg/kg-day | Mouse | oral | short-term | HPVIS |
| NOAEL | =320 mg/kg-day | Mouse | oral | short-term | HPVIS |
| NOAEL | =282 mg/kg-day | Rat | oral | short-term | HPVIS |
EU CLP Annex VI Harmonized Classification
Legally binding harmonized classification per Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008 (CLP) Annex VI.
Signal Word
Danger
Pictograms
Corrosive
Hazard Class and Category
Skin Corr. 1B
Hazard Statements
- H314 Causes severe skin burns and eye damage
Specific Concentration Limits / M-factors
Skin Corr. 1B; H314: C ≥ 25.0%; Skin Irrit. 2; H315: 10.0% ≤ C < 25.0%; Eye Irrit. 2; H319: 10.0% ≤ C < 25.0%
Inserted via ATP: CLP00
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
Hazard classification: Restricted (Annex XVII)
Additional Ingredient Properties
2 property records from structured ingredient metadata.
baby_pediatric
{"cas_number": "7664-38-2", "ingredient_class": "other", "pediatric_safety_rating": "good", "minimum_age_months": "6", "neonatal_safe": "yes", "premature_infant_safe": "insufficient_data", "skin_barrier_maturity_consideration": "pH adjuster", "transepidermal_absorption_risk_pediatric": "low", "systemic_exposure_concern_pediatric": "low", "dose_per_kg_body_weight_concern": "Chelator/buffer function…
ph_stability
{"stable_ph_min": "1.0", "stable_ph_max": "7.0", "ph_dependent_function": "Strong acidifier", "formulation_note": "Use carefully; very strong", "source": "Formulation literature"}
PubChem Annotations
Safety and regulatory annotations from PubChem (NCBI) aggregated sources.
Safety (5)
Carcinogen Classification
No indication of carcinogenicity to humans (not listed by IARC).
Source: Toxin and Toxin Target Database (T3DB)
Endocrine Disruptors
Potential endocrine disrupting compound
Source: NORMAN Suspect List Exchange
ICSC Safety Card
1008
Source: ILO-WHO International Chemical Safety Cards (ICSCs)
ICSC Safety Card
1778
Source: ILO-WHO International Chemical Safety Cards (ICSCs)
Skin Eye Respiratory Irritation
Causes severe eye and skin irritation. | Phosphoric acid mist is an irritant to the eyes, upper respiratory tract, and skin. The solid is especially irritating to the skin in the presence of moisture ... A dilute solution buffered to pH 2.5 caused a moderate, brief stinging sensation but no injury when dropped in the human eye. A 75% solution will cause severe skin burns.
Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
Regulatory (2)
JECFA Evaluation
ORTHOPHOSPHORIC ACID | 1982 | Group MTDI for phosphorus from all sources, expressed as P | TRS 683-JECFA 26/25,47 | FAS 17-JECFA 26/151
Source: Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA)
EU Food Improvement
Food additives
Source: EU Food Improvement Agents
Function Categories & List Membership
Cosmetic/Chemical Function Categories
Biocide
Bleaching agent
Chelating agent
Cleaning agent
Conductive agent
Corrosion inhibitor
Degradant/impurity
Dispersing agent
Etching agent
Flavouring and nutrient
Regulatory List Membership (2)
EPA Safer Chemical Ingredients List (SCIL)
FDA Substances Added to Food (EAFUS)
Expert Verdict
Expert safety assessment and concern-level summary for Phosphoric Acid.
Regulatory Flags
epa_safer_alternative
fda_food_additive
Known Synonyms
Phosphoric acid Divosan X-Tend formulation
Caswell No. 662
EINECS 231-633-2
EPA Pesticide Chemical Code 076001
FEMA No. 2900
o-Phosphoric acid
Phosphoric acid, ortho-
Acido fosforico
Fosforzuuroplossingen
UNII-E4GA8884NN
Phosphoricum acidum
Acide phosphorique (FRENCH)
Acido fosforico [Italian]
Diphosphate tetrasodium
Fosforzuuroplossingen [Dutch]
H3PO4
Marphos
NFB
Ortho- phosphoric acid
Phosphate
Chemical Function
Stabilizing agent
Bleaching agent
pH regulating agent
Fragrance
Flux agent
Regulatory Lists
active_ingredient; Europe; Pesticides
drinking_water; Europe; manufacturing; plastic_additive
active_ingredient; Pesticides
active_ingredient; Pesticides
active_ingredient; Pesticides
active_ingredient; Pesticides
active_ingredient; Pesticides
active_ingredient; Pesticides
active_ingredient; Pesticides
active_ingredient; Pesticides
active_ingredient; Pesticides
active_ingredient; Pesticides
active_ingredient; Pesticides
active_ingredient; Pesticides
active_ingredient; Pesticides
active_ingredient; Pesticides
active_ingredient; Pesticides
active_ingredient; Pesticides
Australian Status
AICIS status: listed
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
PHOSPHORIC ACID
ChEMBL ID
CHEMBL1187
Max Phase
4
Adverse Event Associations
108
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Phosphoric Acid allowed in the EU?
Phosphoric Acid EU regulatory status: permitted. Maximum allowed concentration: 49%. This is based on EU Regulation 1223/2009 and its amendments.
What does Phosphoric Acid do in cosmetics?
Phosphoric Acid functions as: pH buffering agent, chelating agent. It is classified as a Active Ingredient in our database. CAS number: 7664-38-2.
Is Phosphoric Acid classified as hazardous under GHS?
Phosphoric Acid carries a GHS signal word of "DANGER". Hazard statements: May be osive to metals Causes severe skin burns and eye damage May cause respiratory irritation Harmful to aquatic life See Notes. 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 Phosphoric Acid used outside cosmetics?
Phosphoric Acid 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 Phosphoric Acid have different safety status in cosmetics vs industrial chemicals?
Phosphoric Acid is classified GHS Danger (H290, H302, H314, H318, H332, H313, H335, H331) in the chemicals database but is allowed in EU cosmetics at max 49%.
Compliance Tools
Check Phosphoric Acid 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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