BUTYLPARABEN
FRAGRANCE · PRESERVATIVE · CAS 94-26-8 · EC 202-318-7
Chemical identification
- INCI
- BUTYLPARABEN
- Chemical name
- Butyl 4-hydroxybenzoate
- IUPAC
- Butyl 4-hydroxybenzoate and its salts Propyl 4-hydroxybenzoate and its salts (Butylparaben, propylparaben, sodium propylparaben, sodium butylparaben, potassium butylparaben, potassium propylparaben)
- CAS
- 94-26-8
- EC / EINECS
- 202-318-7
- Trade synonyms
- 92923
EU regulatory status
- Reference
- V/12 a
- Maximum concentration
- - 0,14% (as acid) for the sum of the individual concentrations - 0,8% (as acid) for mixtures of substances mentioned in entry 12 and 12a, here the sum of the individual concentrations of butyl and propylparaben and their salts does not exceed 0,14%
- Other conditions
- Not to be used in leave-on products designed for application on the nappy area of children under three years of age.
- Warnings
- For leave-on products designed for children under three years of age: "Do not use on the nappy area"
- CMR
- Not classified
- Last CosIng update
- 2021-08-02
Recent analyses mentioning this ingredient
- SeguimientoOpinión científica SCCS · 2 de mayo de 2025SCCS Opinion on Butylparaben (CAS No. 94-26-8, EC No. 202-318-7) - Children's exposure
El SCCS adoptó la opinión final sobre Butylparaben en niños: al 0.14% en combinación de productos no es seguro para niños de 0.5-10 años. La fórmula segura implica reducir la concentración a 0.002% en leave-on y 0.092% en oral care. Si tu empresa formula productos infantiles con Butylparaben como conservante, revisá urgentemente las concentraciones y preparate para una inminente modificación del Anexo V. En productos de un solo tipo dérmico u oral, el 0.14% sigue siendo aceptable individualmente.
Other Annex V items
- 2-BROMO-2-NITROPROPANE-1,3-DIOL
- 5-BROMO-5-NITRO-1,3-DIOXANE
- 7-ETHYLBICYCLOOXAZOLIDINE
- BENZETHONIUM CHLORIDE
- BENZYL ALCOHOL
- BENZYLHEMIFORMAL
- BROMOCHLOROPHENE
- CHLOROBUTANOL
Technical function
This ingredient is classified as:
About Annex V of Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009
Annex V of Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009 lists the preservatives authorised for use in cosmetic products in the European Union. Only preservatives included in this annex may be used to inhibit the development of micro-organisms in cosmetics. Each entry defines the maximum permitted concentration, the product categories in which it may be used, the applicable specific conditions, and any mandatory labelling warnings. Modifications to this annex are published periodically in the Official Journal of the EU following an opinion from the SCCS (Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety) and are automatically reflected in this database. BD-API synchronises these updates on a continuous scheduled basis and allows manufacturers and Responsible Persons to verify in real time whether their formulations comply with the current conditions of Annex V, integrating CosIng information into their audit and quality control workflows. Explore the full Annex V →
Positive lists are tightly governed
New SCCS opinions and amending regulations reshape this Annex regularly — an entry that changes must be reflected in your active formulations. BD-API delivers every change to your system via API, webhooks and automated alerts.
Data source: Official CosIng from the European Commission, updated on 9 April 2026. Learn more →