METHYLPARABEN
FRAGRANCE · PRESERVATIVE · CAS 99-76-3 · EC 202-785-7
Chemical identification
- INCI
- METHYLPARABEN
- Chemical name
- Methyl 4-hydroxybenzoate
- IUPAC
- 4-Hydroxybenzoic acid and its Methyl- and Ethyl-esters, and their salts (4-Hydroxybenzoic acid, methylparaben, potassium ethylparaben, potassium paraben, sodium methylparaben, sodium ethylparaben, ethylparaben, sodium paraben, potassium methylparaben, calcium paraben)
- CAS
- 99-76-3
- EC / EINECS
- 202-785-7
- Trade synonyms
- 92341
EU regulatory status
- Reference
- V/12
- Maximum concentration
- 0,4% (as acid) for single ester 0,8% (as acid) for mixtures of esters
- Other conditions
- —
- Warnings
- —
- CMR
- Not classified
- Last CosIng update
- 2020-08-11
Recent analyses mentioning this ingredient
- InformativoOpinión científica SCCS con corrigendum · 5 de marzo de 2024Methylparaben (CAS No. 99-76-3, EC No. 202-785-7)
El SCCS (SCCS/1652/23, con corrigendum de febrero 2024) concluye que el Metilparabén es seguro como conservante en cosméticos hasta el 0,4% (expresado como ácido) cuando se usa solo, o hasta el 0,4% en mezclas de ésteres cuya concentración total no supere el 0,8%, conforme a la entrada 12 del Anexo V del Reglamento 1223/2009. Esta conclusión confirma el status regulatorio actual sin cambios. El corrigendum clarifica la redacción de la conclusión relativa a la pregunta 1 pero no altera el fondo de la evaluación. No se requiere acción por parte de las empresas que ya cumplen con los límites vigentes.
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 →