Is Valeric Acid safe in cosmetics?
Valeric Acid has a safety rating of "POOR" in our database. EU status: permitted. US status: permitted. 3 toxicological study endpoint(s) are available in our database.
Valeric Acid
Also known as: 4-02-00-00868, BRN 0969454, EINECS 203-677-2, FEMA No. 3101, Valerianic acid (+14 more)
INCI: VALERIC ACID (N-PENTANOIC ACID)
Valeric Acid (CAS 109-52-4) is a cosmetic cosmetic ingredient functioning as Fragrance (Perfuming). NOAEL 50 mg/kg bw/day (cross-referenced against ToxValDB ECHA IUCLID); EU Regulation 1223/2009 status: permitted. 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 109-52-4 →
Auto-generated CPSR Part A draft with source citations
Cross-Vertical Regulatory Divergence
Valeric Acid is classified GHS Danger (H302, H314, H318, H412, H227, H311, H332) in the chemicals database but is allowed in EU cosmetics.
Source: Cosmetics: ingredients.eu status; Chemicals: ghs classifications.signal word/hazard statement code
Function
Fragrance (Perfuming)
Safety Rating
POOR
Chemistry & Identifiers
IUPAC Name
pentanoic acid
InChIKey
NQPDZGIKBAWPEJ-UHFFFAOYSA-N
Regulatory Status
EU EU Status
permitted
US US Status
permitted
US Notes
Permitted for cosmetic use as fragrance; GRAS as food flavoring
For full compliance data across multiple jurisdictions, use the Substance Compliance tool.
Safety Data
Margin of Safety, dermal absorption, and sensitization profile summaries for Valeric Acid.
Calculate MoS for your specific formulation with the MoS Calculator.
Toxicological Studies
3 study endpoints found for Valeric Acid. 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 | 50 mg/kg bw/day | oral | rat | Developmental | COSMOS DB |
| NOAEL | 75 mg/kg bw/day | oral | rat | Developmental | COSMOS DB |
| NOAEL | =50 mg/kg bw/day | oral | Rat | developmental | ECHA |
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 corrosive to the eyes, skin and respiratory tract. Corrosive on ingestion.
Routes of Exposure
The substance can be absorbed into the body by inhalation and by ingestion.
Pre-Calculated Safety Assessment
Pre-calculated NOAEL → SED → MoS audit trail for Valeric Acid across SCCS product categories, with measured dermal absorption where available.
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; Aquatic Chronic 3
Hazard Statements
- H314 Causes severe skin burns and eye damage
- H412 Harmful to aquatic life with long lasting effects
Inserted via ATP: CLP00
ECHA REACH Registration
European Chemicals Agency REACH dossier and Substances of Very High Concern listing.
Registration Type
Full
Tonnage Band
10 - 100 tonnes
Substance Type
SUBSTANCE
SVHC Candidate
No
Hazard classification: Restricted (Annex XVII)
PubChem Annotations
Safety and regulatory annotations from PubChem (NCBI) aggregated sources.
Safety (1)
ICSC Safety Card
0346
Source: WHO/JECFA
Regulatory (2)
JECFA Number
90
Source: WHO/JECFA
JECFA Evaluation
VALERIC ACID | 1997 | No safety concern at current levels of intake when used as a flavouring agent | TRS 884-JECFA 49/29 | FAS 40-JECFA 49/147
Source: WHO/JECFA
Function Categories & List Membership
Cosmetic/Chemical Function Categories
Flavouring and nutrient
Fragrance
Regulatory List Membership (2)
IFRA Fragrance Transparency List
FDA Substances Added to Food (EAFUS)
Expert Verdict
Expert safety assessment and concern-level summary for Valeric Acid.
Regulatory Flags
fragrance-component
ifra_fragrance
fda_food_additive
jecfa_safe
NOAEL Studies Summary
View details ->Public NOAEL study rows linked to Valeric Acid by CAS number or substance name.
Studies
3
Lowest NOAEL
50 mg/kg bw/day
Highest NOAEL
75 mg/kg bw/day
COSMOS DB
ECHA
Known Synonyms
4-02-00-00868
BRN 0969454
EINECS 203-677-2
FEMA No. 3101
Valerianic acid
VALERIC ACID, N-
UNII-GZK92PJM7B
1-Butanecarboxylate
1-Pentanoate
1-Pentanoic acid
Butanecarboxylate
Butanecarboxylic acid
CH3-[CH2]3-COOH
Kyselina valerova
N-C4H9COOH
N-Valerate
Pentanoate
Pentoate
Propylacetate
Chemical Function
Fragrance
Flavouring and nutrient
Regulatory Lists
inert_ingredient; non_food_use; Pesticides
Canada; pharmaceutical
artificial_saliva; detected; emissions; Europe; Toys and children's products
IFRA Transparency
Europe
food_additive; Substances Added to Food (formerly EAFUS) (2/2019)
Australian Status
AICIS status: listed
Cross-Vertical Safety Context
Same-CAS public records found in food safety data.
SOURCE
EFSA / FDA GRAS
food_additives
Food Safety Data
Same-CAS food additive or FDA GRAS records from the core public database.
Food Name
VALERIC ACID
ADI
No safety concern at current levels of intake when used as a flavouring agent mg/kg bw
Food Category
flavoring
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Valeric Acid allowed in the EU?
Valeric Acid EU regulatory status: permitted. This is based on EU Regulation 1223/2009 and its amendments.
What does Valeric Acid do in cosmetics?
Valeric Acid functions as: Fragrance (Perfuming). It is classified as a cosmetic ingredient in our database. CAS number: 109-52-4.
What is the NOAEL for Valeric Acid?
The NOAEL (No Observed Adverse Effect Level) for Valeric Acid is 50 mg/kg bw/day based on a Developmental study via oral route in rat. A total of 3 study endpoints are available. Source: COSMOS DB.
Is Valeric Acid used outside cosmetics?
Valeric Acid 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.
Does Valeric Acid have different safety status in cosmetics vs industrial chemicals?
Valeric Acid is classified GHS Danger (H302, H314, H318, H412, H227, H311, H332) in the chemicals database but is allowed in EU cosmetics.
Compliance Tools
Check Valeric 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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