BENZETHONIUM CHLORIDE

RestrictedCAS 121-54-025 regulations across 19 markets

BENZETHONIUM CHLORIDE is a cosmetic ingredient classified as Antimicrobial. Also known as CAS 121-54-0. It is regulated in 19 markets including UAE, Bahrain, Brazil.

Also Known As

CAS Number
121-54-0

Market Overview — 29 Markets

European Union1
United Kingdom1
United States
California
Maryland
Washington
Canada1
Brazil1
South Korea1
Japan1
Taiwan1
Australia
Singapore2
Malaysia2
Thailand2
Indonesia2
Vietnam2
Philippines2
UAE1
Saudi Arabia1
Qatar1
Oman1
Kuwait1
Bahrain1
Russia
Belarus
Kazakhstan
Armenia
Kyrgyzstan

Detailed Regulations

Europe2 regulations
European UnionRestrictedAnnex V #53
Chemical name
Benzenemethanaminium, N,N-dimethyl-N-[2-[2-[4-(1,1,3,3,-tetramethylbutyl)phenoxy]ethoxy]ethyl]-, chloride
CAS
121-54-0
Max concentration
0.1%
Product type
a) Rinse-off products b) Leave-on products other than oral products

Source: EC 1223/2009 Annex V

United KingdomRestrictedAnnex V #53
Chemical name
Benzenemethanaminium, N,N-dimethyl-N-[2-[2-[4-(1,1,3,3,-tetramethylbutyl)phenoxy]ethoxy] ethyl]-, chloride
CAS
121-54-0
Max concentration
0,1 %
Product type
Rinse-off productsLeave-on products other than oral products
Conditions of use
Max: 0,1 %

Source: UK retained EC 1223/2009 Annex V

Americas2 regulations
CanadaRestrictedAnnex Table 2 (Restricted)
Chemical name
Benzethonium chloride
CAS
121-54-0
Max concentration
b) 0.2% c) 0.3%
Conditions of use
a) Not permitted in products to be applied to mucous membranes. b) Leave-on products c) Rinse-off products

Source: Health Canada Cosmetic Ingredient Hotlist

BrazilRestrictedAnnex RDC_528 #56
Chemical name
Cloreto de Diisobutil fenoxietoxietil-dim etil-benzilamônio
CAS
121-54-0
Max concentration
0,1%
Conditions of use
Limitations: Proibido em produtos para uso bucal que não se enxáguem.

Source: ANVISA RDC 528

East Asia & Oceania3 regulations
South KoreaRestrictedAnnex restricted #M1268
Chemical name
Benzethonium Chloride
Conditions of use
* 배합한도 : 0.10% 점막에 사용되는 제품에는 사용금지

Source: MFDS Korea Cosmetics Regulation

JapanRestrictedAnnex Appendix 3 (Preservatives) #3-2
Chemical name
Benzethonium chloride
Max concentration
0.50%
Product type
Rinse-off (cosmetics washed away after use)

Source: MHLW Standards for Cosmetics (Notification No.331 of 2000)

TaiwanRestrictedAnnex Preservatives List #3
Chemical name
Benzenemethanaminium, N,N-dimethyl-N-[2-[2-[4-(1,1,3,3,-tetramethylbutyl)pheno-xy]ethoxy] ethyl]-, chloride
CAS
121-54-0
Max concentration
0.1 %
Product type
(a)Rinse off products (b)Leave on products other than oral products

Source: TFDA Cosmetics Regulations

ASEAN12 regulations
SingaporeRestrictedAnnex ACD Annex VI (Preservatives) #53
Chemical name
Benzethonium Chloride (INCI)
Max concentration
0.1%
Conditions of use
age, in oral hygiene products and in products intended for application (a) Rinse-off products (b) Leave on products other

Source: ASEAN Cosmetic Directive (HSA Dec 2025)

SingaporeRestrictedAnnex ACD Annex VI (Preservatives) #54
Chemical name
Benzalkonium chloride, bromide and saccharinate (13) Benzalkonium chloride (, 63449-41-2, 68424-85-1, 68391-01-5, 61789- 71-7, 85409-22-9),Benzalkonium bromide, Benzalkonium saccharinate
CAS
121-54-0
Max concentration
0.1% calculated as Benzalkonium chloride
Conditions of use
around the eyes and on the lips than for oral care use. | Label: - Avoid contact with the eyes

Source: ASEAN Cosmetic Directive (HSA Dec 2025)

MalaysiaRestrictedAnnex ACD Annex VI (Preservatives) #53
Chemical name
Benzethonium Chloride (INCI)
Max concentration
0.1%
Conditions of use
age, in oral hygiene products and in products intended for application (a) Rinse-off products (b) Leave on products other

Source: ASEAN Cosmetic Directive (HSA Dec 2025)

MalaysiaRestrictedAnnex ACD Annex VI (Preservatives) #54
Chemical name
Benzalkonium chloride, bromide and saccharinate (13) Benzalkonium chloride (, 63449-41-2, 68424-85-1, 68391-01-5, 61789- 71-7, 85409-22-9),Benzalkonium bromide, Benzalkonium saccharinate
CAS
121-54-0
Max concentration
0.1% calculated as Benzalkonium chloride
Conditions of use
around the eyes and on the lips than for oral care use. | Label: - Avoid contact with the eyes

Source: ASEAN Cosmetic Directive (HSA Dec 2025)

ThailandRestrictedAnnex ACD Annex VI (Preservatives) #53
Chemical name
Benzethonium Chloride (INCI)
Max concentration
0.1%
Conditions of use
age, in oral hygiene products and in products intended for application (a) Rinse-off products (b) Leave on products other

Source: ASEAN Cosmetic Directive (HSA Dec 2025)

ThailandRestrictedAnnex ACD Annex VI (Preservatives) #54
Chemical name
Benzalkonium chloride, bromide and saccharinate (13) Benzalkonium chloride (, 63449-41-2, 68424-85-1, 68391-01-5, 61789- 71-7, 85409-22-9),Benzalkonium bromide, Benzalkonium saccharinate
CAS
121-54-0
Max concentration
0.1% calculated as Benzalkonium chloride
Conditions of use
around the eyes and on the lips than for oral care use. | Label: - Avoid contact with the eyes

Source: ASEAN Cosmetic Directive (HSA Dec 2025)

IndonesiaRestrictedAnnex ACD Annex VI (Preservatives) #53
Chemical name
Benzethonium Chloride (INCI)
Max concentration
0.1%
Conditions of use
age, in oral hygiene products and in products intended for application (a) Rinse-off products (b) Leave on products other

Source: ASEAN Cosmetic Directive (HSA Dec 2025)

IndonesiaRestrictedAnnex ACD Annex VI (Preservatives) #54
Chemical name
Benzalkonium chloride, bromide and saccharinate (13) Benzalkonium chloride (, 63449-41-2, 68424-85-1, 68391-01-5, 61789- 71-7, 85409-22-9),Benzalkonium bromide, Benzalkonium saccharinate
CAS
121-54-0
Max concentration
0.1% calculated as Benzalkonium chloride
Conditions of use
around the eyes and on the lips than for oral care use. | Label: - Avoid contact with the eyes

Source: ASEAN Cosmetic Directive (HSA Dec 2025)

VietnamRestrictedAnnex ACD Annex VI (Preservatives) #53
Chemical name
Benzethonium Chloride (INCI)
Max concentration
0.1%
Conditions of use
age, in oral hygiene products and in products intended for application (a) Rinse-off products (b) Leave on products other

Source: ASEAN Cosmetic Directive (HSA Dec 2025)

VietnamRestrictedAnnex ACD Annex VI (Preservatives) #54
Chemical name
Benzalkonium chloride, bromide and saccharinate (13) Benzalkonium chloride (, 63449-41-2, 68424-85-1, 68391-01-5, 61789- 71-7, 85409-22-9),Benzalkonium bromide, Benzalkonium saccharinate
CAS
121-54-0
Max concentration
0.1% calculated as Benzalkonium chloride
Conditions of use
around the eyes and on the lips than for oral care use. | Label: - Avoid contact with the eyes

Source: ASEAN Cosmetic Directive (HSA Dec 2025)

PhilippinesRestrictedAnnex ACD Annex VI (Preservatives) #53
Chemical name
Benzethonium Chloride (INCI)
Max concentration
0.1%
Conditions of use
age, in oral hygiene products and in products intended for application (a) Rinse-off products (b) Leave on products other

Source: ASEAN Cosmetic Directive (HSA Dec 2025)

PhilippinesRestrictedAnnex ACD Annex VI (Preservatives) #54
Chemical name
Benzalkonium chloride, bromide and saccharinate (13) Benzalkonium chloride (, 63449-41-2, 68424-85-1, 68391-01-5, 61789- 71-7, 85409-22-9),Benzalkonium bromide, Benzalkonium saccharinate
CAS
121-54-0
Max concentration
0.1% calculated as Benzalkonium chloride
Conditions of use
around the eyes and on the lips than for oral care use. | Label: - Avoid contact with the eyes

Source: ASEAN Cosmetic Directive (HSA Dec 2025)

GCC6 regulations
UAERestrictedAnnex V #53
Chemical name
Benzenemethanaminium, N,N-dimethyl-N-[2-[2-[4-(1,1,3,3,-tetramethylbutyl)phenoxy]ethoxy]ethyl]-, chloride
CAS
121-54-0
Max concentration
0.1%
Product type
a) Rinse-off products b) Leave-on products other than oral products

Source: GSO 1943:2024 (based on EU 1223/2009 V)

Saudi ArabiaRestrictedAnnex V #53
Chemical name
Benzenemethanaminium, N,N-dimethyl-N-[2-[2-[4-(1,1,3,3,-tetramethylbutyl)phenoxy]ethoxy]ethyl]-, chloride
CAS
121-54-0
Max concentration
0.1%
Product type
a) Rinse-off products b) Leave-on products other than oral products

Source: GSO 1943:2024 (based on EU 1223/2009 V)

QatarRestrictedAnnex V #53
Chemical name
Benzenemethanaminium, N,N-dimethyl-N-[2-[2-[4-(1,1,3,3,-tetramethylbutyl)phenoxy]ethoxy]ethyl]-, chloride
CAS
121-54-0
Max concentration
0.1%
Product type
a) Rinse-off products b) Leave-on products other than oral products

Source: GSO 1943:2024 (based on EU 1223/2009 V)

OmanRestrictedAnnex V #53
Chemical name
Benzenemethanaminium, N,N-dimethyl-N-[2-[2-[4-(1,1,3,3,-tetramethylbutyl)phenoxy]ethoxy]ethyl]-, chloride
CAS
121-54-0
Max concentration
0.1%
Product type
a) Rinse-off products b) Leave-on products other than oral products

Source: GSO 1943:2024 (based on EU 1223/2009 V)

KuwaitRestrictedAnnex V #53
Chemical name
Benzenemethanaminium, N,N-dimethyl-N-[2-[2-[4-(1,1,3,3,-tetramethylbutyl)phenoxy]ethoxy]ethyl]-, chloride
CAS
121-54-0
Max concentration
0.1%
Product type
a) Rinse-off products b) Leave-on products other than oral products

Source: GSO 1943:2024 (based on EU 1223/2009 V)

BahrainRestrictedAnnex V #53
Chemical name
Benzenemethanaminium, N,N-dimethyl-N-[2-[2-[4-(1,1,3,3,-tetramethylbutyl)phenoxy]ethoxy]ethyl]-, chloride
CAS
121-54-0
Max concentration
0.1%
Product type
a) Rinse-off products b) Leave-on products other than oral products

Source: GSO 1943:2024 (based on EU 1223/2009 V)

EAEUNo restrictions

No specific restrictions for BENZETHONIUM CHLORIDE in Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Armenia, Kyrgyzstan.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is BENZETHONIUM CHLORIDE banned in any country?

BENZETHONIUM CHLORIDE is not banned in any of the 26 markets tracked by Formpli. However, it may be subject to restrictions or conditions of use in some markets.

What are the restrictions on BENZETHONIUM CHLORIDE in cosmetics?

BENZETHONIUM CHLORIDE is restricted or has conditions of use in UAE, Bahrain, Brazil, Canada, European Union, Indonesia, Japan, South Korea, Kuwait, Malaysia, Oman, Philippines, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Thailand, Taiwan, United Kingdom, Vietnam. Restrictions may include maximum concentration limits, product type limitations, or mandatory labeling requirements. See the detailed regulations above for specifics.

Can I use BENZETHONIUM CHLORIDE in cosmetics?

BENZETHONIUM CHLORIDE is regulated in 19 markets. It has restrictions in UAE, Bahrain, Brazil, Canada, European Union, Indonesia, Japan, South Korea, Kuwait, Malaysia, Oman, Philippines, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Thailand, Taiwan, United Kingdom, Vietnam. Use Formpli's free screening tool to check your full ingredient list against all 26 markets at once.

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This information is for reference only and does not constitute legal or regulatory advice. Regulations change — always verify with official sources and consult a regulatory specialist before exporting cosmetic products. Data sourced from EU COSING, US FDA, Health Canada, MHLW Japan, MFDS Korea, ASEAN ACD, GCC SFDA, TGA Australia, ANVISA Brazil, EAEU TR CU, and Taiwan TFDA.