Chemical Family · All wiki entries

Parabens

Regulators / frameworks: EU Cosmetic Regulation, Denmark (national ban for under-3s)

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What this family is

Parabens are esters of para-hydroxybenzoic acid used as preservatives in cosmetics, pharmaceuticals and food. Five parabens are banned in EU cosmetics under Annex II of Regulation (EC) 1223/2009 (isopropyl-, isobutyl-, phenyl-, benzyl-, pentyl-paraben). Propyl- and butyl-parabens are restricted to lower concentrations under Annex V. Some parabens have shown weak estrogenic activity in laboratory studies.

Known members in our index

Authoritative source

Reference: EU Cosmetic Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009 Annex II + Annex V
Primary register: https://ec.europa.eu/health/scientific_committees/consumer_safety/docs/sccs_o_132.pdf

Always verify each substance's current regulatory status at the primary register before relying on it.

What this is NOT

ProductGuru indexes the regulatory status of substances in this family. This page is not an exhaustive list of every family member, nor is it medical or legal advice. The composition of any specific product must be verified against its labeling and the issuing-body register linked above.

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