CHLORHEXIDINE

RestrictedCAS 55-56-122 regulations across 20 markets

CHLORHEXIDINE is a cosmetic ingredient classified as Antimicrobial. Also known as CAS 55-56-1. It is regulated in 20 markets including UAE, Australia, Bahrain.

Also Known As

CAS Number
18472-51-0, 3697-42-5, 55-56-1, 56-95-1

Market Overview — 29 Markets

European Union1
United Kingdom1
United States
California
Maryland
Washington
Canada1
Brazil1
South Korea1
Japan2
Taiwan1
Australia2
Singapore1
Malaysia1
Thailand1
Indonesia1
Vietnam1
Philippines1
UAE1
Saudi Arabia1
Qatar1
Oman1
Kuwait1
Bahrain1
Russia
Belarus
Kazakhstan
Armenia
Kyrgyzstan

Detailed Regulations

Europe2 regulations
European UnionRestrictedAnnex V #42
Chemical name
N,N'-bis(4-chlorophenyl)-3,12-diimino-2,4,11,13-tetraazatetradecanediamidine and its digluconate, diacetate and dihydrochloride
CAS
55-56-1 / 56-95-1 / 18472-51-0 / 3697-42-5
Max concentration
0.3% (as chlorhexidine)

Source: EC 1223/2009 Annex V

United KingdomRestrictedAnnex V #42
Chemical name
N,N″-bis(4-chlorophenyl)-3,12-diimino-2,4,11,13-tetraazatetradecanediamidine and its digluconate, diacetate and dihydrochloride
CAS
55-56-1, 56-95-1, 18472-51-0, 3697-42-5
Max concentration
0,3 % (as chlorhexidine)
Conditions of use
Max: 0,3 % (as chlorhexidine)

Source: UK retained EC 1223/2009 Annex V

Americas2 regulations
CanadaRestrictedAnnex Table 2 (Restricted)
Chemical name
Chlorhexidine and its salts
CAS
55-56-1
Max concentration
a) 0.14% calculated as chlorhexidine free base
Conditions of use
b) 0.19% calculated as chlorhexidine diacetate c) 0.20% calculated as chlorhexidine digluconate d) 0.16% calculated as chlorhexidine dihydrochloride

Source: Health Canada Cosmetic Ingredient Hotlist

BrazilRestrictedAnnex RDC_528 #38
Chemical name
Bis-(p-clorofenildig uanida)-1,6-hexano e seus acetato, gluconato e cloridrato
CAS
55-56-1
Max concentration
0,3% (expresso como clorexidina)

Source: ANVISA RDC 528

East Asia & Oceania6 regulations
South KoreaRestrictedAnnex restricted #M1114
Chemical name
Chlorhexidine
Conditions of use
* 배합한도 : ∙ 점막에 사용하지 않고 씻어내는 제품에 클로헥시딘으로서 0.1%, ∙ 기타 제품에 클로헥시딘으로서 0.05%

Source: MFDS Korea Cosmetics Regulation

JapanRestrictedAnnex Appendix 3 (Preservatives) #3-2
Chemical name
Chlorhexidine
Max concentration
0.050%
Product type
Leave-on (cosmetics not washed away)

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

JapanRestrictedAnnex Appendix 3 (Preservatives) #3-2
Chemical name
Chlorhexidine
Max concentration
0.10%
Product type
Rinse-off (cosmetics washed away after use)

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

TaiwanRestrictedAnnex Preservatives List #9
Chemical name
N,N'-bis(4-chlorophenyl)-3,12-diimino-2,4,11,13-tetraazat-etradecanediamidine and its digluconate, diacetate and dihydrochloride
CAS
55-56-1/ 18472-51-0/ 3697-42-5 56-95-1/
Max concentration
0.3 % (以 chlorhexidine計)

Source: TFDA Cosmetics Regulations

AustraliaRestrictedAnnex Schedule 6 (Poison) #SUSMP Schedule 6
Chemical name
CHLORHEXIDINE in preparations containing 7% or less of chlorhexidine except
Conditions of use
(a) when included in Schedule 5; or (b) in preparations containing 1% or less of chlorhexidine; or (c) when in solid preparations.

Source: TGA SUSMP F2026L00060

AustraliaRestrictedAnnex Schedule 7 (Dangerous Poison) #SUSMP Schedule 7
Chemical name
CHLORHEXIDINE except
Conditions of use
(a) when included in Schedule 5 or 6; or (b) in preparations containing 1% or less of chlorhexidine; or (c) in solid preparations.

Source: TGA SUSMP F2026L00060

ASEAN6 regulations
SingaporeRestrictedAnnex ACD Annex VI (Preservatives) #42
Chemical name
Chlorhexidine (INN) and its digluconate, diacetate and dihydrochloride (+) Chlorhexidine, Chlorhexidine diacetate, Chlorhexidine digluconate / Chlorhexidine dihydrochloride
CAS
55-56-1
Max concentration
0.3% expressed as chlorhexidine

Source: ASEAN Cosmetic Directive (HSA Dec 2025)

MalaysiaRestrictedAnnex ACD Annex VI (Preservatives) #42
Chemical name
Chlorhexidine (INN) and its digluconate, diacetate and dihydrochloride (+) Chlorhexidine, Chlorhexidine diacetate, Chlorhexidine digluconate / Chlorhexidine dihydrochloride
CAS
55-56-1
Max concentration
0.3% expressed as chlorhexidine

Source: ASEAN Cosmetic Directive (HSA Dec 2025)

ThailandRestrictedAnnex ACD Annex VI (Preservatives) #42
Chemical name
Chlorhexidine (INN) and its digluconate, diacetate and dihydrochloride (+) Chlorhexidine, Chlorhexidine diacetate, Chlorhexidine digluconate / Chlorhexidine dihydrochloride
CAS
55-56-1
Max concentration
0.3% expressed as chlorhexidine

Source: ASEAN Cosmetic Directive (HSA Dec 2025)

IndonesiaRestrictedAnnex ACD Annex VI (Preservatives) #42
Chemical name
Chlorhexidine (INN) and its digluconate, diacetate and dihydrochloride (+) Chlorhexidine, Chlorhexidine diacetate, Chlorhexidine digluconate / Chlorhexidine dihydrochloride
CAS
55-56-1
Max concentration
0.3% expressed as chlorhexidine

Source: ASEAN Cosmetic Directive (HSA Dec 2025)

VietnamRestrictedAnnex ACD Annex VI (Preservatives) #42
Chemical name
Chlorhexidine (INN) and its digluconate, diacetate and dihydrochloride (+) Chlorhexidine, Chlorhexidine diacetate, Chlorhexidine digluconate / Chlorhexidine dihydrochloride
CAS
55-56-1
Max concentration
0.3% expressed as chlorhexidine

Source: ASEAN Cosmetic Directive (HSA Dec 2025)

PhilippinesRestrictedAnnex ACD Annex VI (Preservatives) #42
Chemical name
Chlorhexidine (INN) and its digluconate, diacetate and dihydrochloride (+) Chlorhexidine, Chlorhexidine diacetate, Chlorhexidine digluconate / Chlorhexidine dihydrochloride
CAS
55-56-1
Max concentration
0.3% expressed as chlorhexidine

Source: ASEAN Cosmetic Directive (HSA Dec 2025)

GCC6 regulations
UAERestrictedAnnex V #42
Chemical name
N,N'-bis(4-chlorophenyl)-3,12-diimino-2,4,11,13-tetraazatetradecanediamidine and its digluconate, diacetate and dihydrochloride
CAS
55-56-1 / 56-95-1 / 18472-51-0 / 3697-42-5
Max concentration
0.3% (as chlorhexidine)

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

Saudi ArabiaRestrictedAnnex V #42
Chemical name
N,N'-bis(4-chlorophenyl)-3,12-diimino-2,4,11,13-tetraazatetradecanediamidine and its digluconate, diacetate and dihydrochloride
CAS
55-56-1 / 56-95-1 / 18472-51-0 / 3697-42-5
Max concentration
0.3% (as chlorhexidine)

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

QatarRestrictedAnnex V #42
Chemical name
N,N'-bis(4-chlorophenyl)-3,12-diimino-2,4,11,13-tetraazatetradecanediamidine and its digluconate, diacetate and dihydrochloride
CAS
55-56-1 / 56-95-1 / 18472-51-0 / 3697-42-5
Max concentration
0.3% (as chlorhexidine)

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

OmanRestrictedAnnex V #42
Chemical name
N,N'-bis(4-chlorophenyl)-3,12-diimino-2,4,11,13-tetraazatetradecanediamidine and its digluconate, diacetate and dihydrochloride
CAS
55-56-1 / 56-95-1 / 18472-51-0 / 3697-42-5
Max concentration
0.3% (as chlorhexidine)

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

KuwaitRestrictedAnnex V #42
Chemical name
N,N'-bis(4-chlorophenyl)-3,12-diimino-2,4,11,13-tetraazatetradecanediamidine and its digluconate, diacetate and dihydrochloride
CAS
55-56-1 / 56-95-1 / 18472-51-0 / 3697-42-5
Max concentration
0.3% (as chlorhexidine)

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

BahrainRestrictedAnnex V #42
Chemical name
N,N'-bis(4-chlorophenyl)-3,12-diimino-2,4,11,13-tetraazatetradecanediamidine and its digluconate, diacetate and dihydrochloride
CAS
55-56-1 / 56-95-1 / 18472-51-0 / 3697-42-5
Max concentration
0.3% (as chlorhexidine)

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

EAEUNo restrictions

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Is CHLORHEXIDINE banned in any country?

CHLORHEXIDINE 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 CHLORHEXIDINE in cosmetics?

CHLORHEXIDINE is restricted or has conditions of use in UAE, Australia, 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 CHLORHEXIDINE in cosmetics?

CHLORHEXIDINE is regulated in 20 markets. It has restrictions in UAE, Australia, 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.