FORMALDEHYDE
FORMALDEHYDE is a cosmetic ingredient classified as Antimicrobial. Also known as 포름알데히드, CAS 50-00-0. It is regulated in 21 markets including UAE, Australia, Bahrain.
Also Known As
- Common names
- 포름알데히드
- CAS Number
- 50-00-0
Market Overview — 29 Markets
Detailed Regulations
Europe3 regulations
- Chemical name
- Formaldehyde
- CAS
- 50-00-0
Source: EC 1223/2009 Annex II
- Chemical name
- Reaction product of acetophenone, formaldehyde, cyclohexylamine, methanol and acetic acid
Source: UK retained EC 1223/2009 Annex II
- Chemical name
- Formaldehyde
- CAS
- 50-00-0
Source: UK retained EC 1223/2009 Annex II
Americas5 regulations
- Chemical name
- Formaldehyde
- CAS
- 50-00-0
Source: CA AB 2762 (Toxic-Free Cosmetics Act 2020)
- Chemical name
- Formaldehyde (gas)
- CAS
- 50-00-0
- Conditions of use
- Prop 65 Warning Required: cancer
Source: California Prop 65
- Chemical name
- Formaldehyde
- CAS
- 50-00-0
Source: MD HB 643 (Toxic-Free Cosmetics Act)
- Chemical name
- Formaldehyde
- CAS
- 50-00-0
Source: WA HB 1047 (Toxic-Free Cosmetics Act 2023)
- Chemical name
- Formaldehyde
- CAS
- 50-00-0
- Max concentration
- b) 0.01% c) 0.1% d) 0.2% e) 5.0%
- Conditions of use
- a) Not permitted in aerosol products. b) Non-aerosol products that release formaldehyde vapours when used according to directions. c) Oral products d) Non-oral products as a preservative e) Nail hardeners, must be sold with nail shields and directions for use. | Warning: e) "This product contains formaldehyde which has the potential to cause skin sensitivity."
Source: Health Canada Cosmetic Ingredient Hotlist
East Asia & Oceania4 regulations
- Chemical name
- Formaldehyde
Source: MFDS Korea Cosmetics Regulation
- Chemical name
- Formaldehyde（Formalin）
- CAS
- 50-00-0
- Max concentration
- 75 ppm
- Product type
- contamination_limit
- Conditions of use
- (1)化粧品中使用DMDM Hydantoin、Imidazolidinyl urea、Quaterium 15、Benzylhemiformal、5-Bromo-5-nitro-1,3-dioxane、Bronopol、Methenamine、Sodium hydroxymethylglycinate、Diazolidinyl urea 成分作為防腐劑時,其總釋出之Free formaldehyde 量,不得超過1000ppm。 (2)未添加DMDM Hydantonin、Imidazolidinyl urea、Quaterium-15、DiaZolidinyl urea、Hexamethylenetetramine、 Benzylhemiformal、5-Bromo-5-nitro-1,3-dioxane、Bronopol 及Sodium hydroxymethylglycinate 等防腐劑成分,如於製造過程中,因所需使用原料或其他因素,且技術上無法避免,致含自然殘留微量時,則其最終製品中所含游離甲醛(Free formaldehyde)之殘留量,不得超過75ppm。
- Other conditions
- (1)化粧品中使用DMDM Hydantoin、Imidazolidinyl urea、Quaterium 15、Benzylhemiformal、5-Bromo-5-nitro-1,3-dioxane、Bronopol、Methenamine、Sodium hydroxymethylglycinate、Diazolidinyl urea 成分作為防腐劑時，其總釋出之Free formaldehyde 量，不得超過1000ppm。 (2)未添加DMDM Hydantonin、Imidazolidinyl urea、Quaterium-15、DiaZolidinyl urea、Hexamethylenetetramine、 Benzylhemiformal、5-Bromo-5-nitro-1,3-dioxane、Bronopol 及Sodium hydroxymethylglycinate 等防腐劑成分，如於製造過程中，因所需使用原料或其他因素，且技術上無法避免，致含自然殘留微量時，則其最終製品中所含游離甲醛（Free formaldehyde）之殘留量，不得超過75ppm。
Source: TFDA Cosmetics Regulations
- Chemical name
- FORMALDEHYDE (excluding its derivatives)
- Conditions of use
- (a) in oral hygiene preparations containing more than 0.1% of free formaldehyde; or (b) in aerosol sprays for cosmetic use containing 0.005% or more of free formaldehyde; or (c) in nail hardener cosmetic preparations containing 5% or more of free formaldehyde; or (d) in all other cosmetic preparations containing 0.05% or more of free formaldehyde except in preparations containing 0.2% or less of free formaldehyde when labelled with the warning statement:
Source: TGA SUSMP F2026L00060
- Chemical name
- FORMALDEHYDE (excluding its derivatives) in preparations containing 0.05% or more of
- Conditions of use
- free formaldehyde except: (a) for human therapeutic use; or (b) in oral hygiene preparations; or (c) in nail hardener cosmetic preparations containing 5% or more of free formaldehyde; or (d) in nail hardener cosmetic preparations containing 0.2% or less of free formaldehyde when labelled with the statement:
Source: TGA SUSMP F2026L00060
ASEAN12 regulations
- Chemical name
- Formaldehyde Except Lao PDR
- CAS
- 50-00-0
Source: ASEAN Cosmetic Directive (HSA Dec 2025)
- Chemical name
- Formaldehyde
- CAS
- 50-00-0
- Max concentration
- 2.2% calculated as formaldehyde
- Product type
- Nail hardening products
- Conditions of use
- Allowed only in Lao PDR | Label: Protects cuticles with grease or oil. Contains formaldehyde ( 2 (
Source: ASEAN Cosmetic Directive (HSA Dec 2025)
- Chemical name
- Formaldehyde Except Lao PDR
- CAS
- 50-00-0
Source: ASEAN Cosmetic Directive (HSA Dec 2025)
- Chemical name
- Formaldehyde
- CAS
- 50-00-0
- Max concentration
- 2.2% calculated as formaldehyde
- Product type
- Nail hardening products
- Conditions of use
- Allowed only in Lao PDR | Label: Protects cuticles with grease or oil. Contains formaldehyde ( 2 (
Source: ASEAN Cosmetic Directive (HSA Dec 2025)
- Chemical name
- Formaldehyde Except Lao PDR
- CAS
- 50-00-0
Source: ASEAN Cosmetic Directive (HSA Dec 2025)
- Chemical name
- Formaldehyde
- CAS
- 50-00-0
- Max concentration
- 2.2% calculated as formaldehyde
- Product type
- Nail hardening products
- Conditions of use
- Allowed only in Lao PDR | Label: Protects cuticles with grease or oil. Contains formaldehyde ( 2 (
Source: ASEAN Cosmetic Directive (HSA Dec 2025)
- Chemical name
- Formaldehyde Except Lao PDR
- CAS
- 50-00-0
Source: ASEAN Cosmetic Directive (HSA Dec 2025)
- Chemical name
- Formaldehyde
- CAS
- 50-00-0
- Max concentration
- 2.2% calculated as formaldehyde
- Product type
- Nail hardening products
- Conditions of use
- Allowed only in Lao PDR | Label: Protects cuticles with grease or oil. Contains formaldehyde ( 2 (
Source: ASEAN Cosmetic Directive (HSA Dec 2025)
- Chemical name
- Formaldehyde Except Lao PDR
- CAS
- 50-00-0
Source: ASEAN Cosmetic Directive (HSA Dec 2025)
- Chemical name
- Formaldehyde
- CAS
- 50-00-0
- Max concentration
- 2.2% calculated as formaldehyde
- Product type
- Nail hardening products
- Conditions of use
- Allowed only in Lao PDR | Label: Protects cuticles with grease or oil. Contains formaldehyde ( 2 (
Source: ASEAN Cosmetic Directive (HSA Dec 2025)
- Chemical name
- Formaldehyde Except Lao PDR
- CAS
- 50-00-0
Source: ASEAN Cosmetic Directive (HSA Dec 2025)
- Chemical name
- Formaldehyde
- CAS
- 50-00-0
- Max concentration
- 2.2% calculated as formaldehyde
- Product type
- Nail hardening products
- Conditions of use
- Allowed only in Lao PDR | Label: Protects cuticles with grease or oil. Contains formaldehyde ( 2 (
Source: ASEAN Cosmetic Directive (HSA Dec 2025)
GCC6 regulations
- Chemical name
- Formaldehyde
- CAS
- 50-00-0
Source: GSO 1943:2024 (based on EU 1223/2009 II)
- Chemical name
- Formaldehyde
- CAS
- 50-00-0
Source: GSO 1943:2024 (based on EU 1223/2009 II)
- Chemical name
- Formaldehyde
- CAS
- 50-00-0
Source: GSO 1943:2024 (based on EU 1223/2009 II)
- Chemical name
- Formaldehyde
- CAS
- 50-00-0
Source: GSO 1943:2024 (based on EU 1223/2009 II)
- Chemical name
- Formaldehyde
- CAS
- 50-00-0
Source: GSO 1943:2024 (based on EU 1223/2009 II)
- Chemical name
- Formaldehyde
- CAS
- 50-00-0
Source: GSO 1943:2024 (based on EU 1223/2009 II)
EAEUNo restrictions
No specific restrictions for FORMALDEHYDE in Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Armenia, Kyrgyzstan.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is FORMALDEHYDE banned in any country?
Yes, FORMALDEHYDE is banned in UAE, Australia, Bahrain, European Union, Indonesia, South Korea, Kuwait, Malaysia, Oman, Philippines, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Thailand, United Kingdom, California, Maryland, Washington, Vietnam. Always check current regulations before formulating products for these markets.
What are the restrictions on FORMALDEHYDE in cosmetics?
FORMALDEHYDE is restricted or has conditions of use in Australia, Canada, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Taiwan, Vietnam. Restrictions may include maximum concentration limits, product type limitations, or mandatory labeling requirements. See the detailed regulations above for specifics.
Can I use FORMALDEHYDE in cosmetics?
FORMALDEHYDE is regulated in 21 markets. It is banned in UAE, Australia, Bahrain, European Union, Indonesia, South Korea, Kuwait, Malaysia, Oman, Philippines, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Thailand, United Kingdom, California, Maryland, Washington, Vietnam. It has restrictions in Australia, Canada, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Taiwan, Vietnam. Use Formpli's free screening tool to check your full ingredient list against all 26 markets at once.
Screen FORMALDEHYDE with your full formula
Paste your entire ingredient list and get a compliance report across 26 markets — free, no signup.
Check Ingredients FreeThis 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.