PHENOL

BannedCAS 108-95-226 regulations across 18 markets

PHENOL is a cosmetic ingredient classified as Antimicrobial. Also known as CAS 108-95-2. It is regulated in 18 markets including UAE, Bahrain, Brazil.

Also Known As

CAS Number
12167-20-3, 27311-52-0, 149861-22-3, 6994-64-5, 108-95-2

Market Overview — 29 Markets

European Union2
United Kingdom1
United States
California
Maryland
Washington
Canada1
Brazil2
South Korea1
Japan1
Taiwan
Australia
Singapore1
Malaysia1
Thailand1
Indonesia1
Vietnam1
Philippines1
UAE2
Saudi Arabia2
Qatar2
Oman2
Kuwait2
Bahrain2
Russia
Belarus
Kazakhstan
Armenia
Kyrgyzstan

Detailed Regulations

Europe3 regulations
European UnionBannedAnnex II #1175
Chemical name
Phenol
CAS
108-95-2

Source: EC 1223/2009 Annex II

European UnionRestrictedAnnex III #368
Chemical name
Phenol, 2-methoxy- 4-(2-propenyl)-, acetate
Other conditions
The presence of the substance shall be indicated in the list of ingredients referred to in Article 19(1), point (g), when its concentration exceeds: — 0,001 % in leave-on products — 0,01 % in rinse-off products.

Source: EC 1223/2009 Annex III

United KingdomBannedAnnex II #1175
Chemical name
Phenol
CAS
108-95-2

Source: UK retained EC 1223/2009 Annex II

Americas3 regulations
CanadaBannedAnnex Table 1 (Prohibited)
Chemical name
Phenol
CAS
108-95-2
Conditions of use
Prohibited in cosmetics

Source: Health Canada Cosmetic Ingredient Hotlist

BrazilBannedAnnex RDC_529 #1175
Chemical name
Fenol
CAS
108-95-2

Source: ANVISA RDC 529

BrazilBannedAnnex RDC_529 #208
Chemical name
Fenadiazol*
CAS
1008-65-7

Source: ANVISA RDC 529

East Asia & Oceania2 regulations
South KoreaBannedAnnex banned #M275
Chemical name
Phenol

Source: MFDS Korea Cosmetics Regulation

JapanRestrictedAnnex Appendix 3 (Preservatives) #3-1
Chemical name
Phenol
Max concentration
0.10%

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

ASEAN6 regulations
SingaporeBannedAnnex ACD Annex II (Prohibited) #1175
Chemical name
Phenol
CAS
108-95-2

Source: ASEAN Cosmetic Directive (HSA Dec 2025)

MalaysiaBannedAnnex ACD Annex II (Prohibited) #1175
Chemical name
Phenol
CAS
108-95-2

Source: ASEAN Cosmetic Directive (HSA Dec 2025)

ThailandBannedAnnex ACD Annex II (Prohibited) #1175
Chemical name
Phenol
CAS
108-95-2

Source: ASEAN Cosmetic Directive (HSA Dec 2025)

IndonesiaBannedAnnex ACD Annex II (Prohibited) #1175
Chemical name
Phenol
CAS
108-95-2

Source: ASEAN Cosmetic Directive (HSA Dec 2025)

VietnamBannedAnnex ACD Annex II (Prohibited) #1175
Chemical name
Phenol
CAS
108-95-2

Source: ASEAN Cosmetic Directive (HSA Dec 2025)

PhilippinesBannedAnnex ACD Annex II (Prohibited) #1175
Chemical name
Phenol
CAS
108-95-2

Source: ASEAN Cosmetic Directive (HSA Dec 2025)

GCC12 regulations
UAEBannedAnnex II #1175
Chemical name
Phenol
CAS
108-95-2

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

UAERestrictedAnnex III #368
Chemical name
Phenol, 2-methoxy- 4-(2-propenyl)-, acetate
Other conditions
The presence of the substance shall be indicated in the list of ingredients referred to in Article 19(1), point (g), when its concentration exceeds: — 0,001 % in leave-on products — 0,01 % in rinse-off products.

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

Saudi ArabiaBannedAnnex II #1175
Chemical name
Phenol
CAS
108-95-2

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

Saudi ArabiaRestrictedAnnex III #368
Chemical name
Phenol, 2-methoxy- 4-(2-propenyl)-, acetate
Other conditions
The presence of the substance shall be indicated in the list of ingredients referred to in Article 19(1), point (g), when its concentration exceeds: — 0,001 % in leave-on products — 0,01 % in rinse-off products.

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

QatarBannedAnnex II #1175
Chemical name
Phenol
CAS
108-95-2

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

QatarRestrictedAnnex III #368
Chemical name
Phenol, 2-methoxy- 4-(2-propenyl)-, acetate
Other conditions
The presence of the substance shall be indicated in the list of ingredients referred to in Article 19(1), point (g), when its concentration exceeds: — 0,001 % in leave-on products — 0,01 % in rinse-off products.

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

OmanBannedAnnex II #1175
Chemical name
Phenol
CAS
108-95-2

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

OmanRestrictedAnnex III #368
Chemical name
Phenol, 2-methoxy- 4-(2-propenyl)-, acetate
Other conditions
The presence of the substance shall be indicated in the list of ingredients referred to in Article 19(1), point (g), when its concentration exceeds: — 0,001 % in leave-on products — 0,01 % in rinse-off products.

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

KuwaitBannedAnnex II #1175
Chemical name
Phenol
CAS
108-95-2

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

KuwaitRestrictedAnnex III #368
Chemical name
Phenol, 2-methoxy- 4-(2-propenyl)-, acetate
Other conditions
The presence of the substance shall be indicated in the list of ingredients referred to in Article 19(1), point (g), when its concentration exceeds: — 0,001 % in leave-on products — 0,01 % in rinse-off products.

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

BahrainBannedAnnex II #1175
Chemical name
Phenol
CAS
108-95-2

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

BahrainRestrictedAnnex III #368
Chemical name
Phenol, 2-methoxy- 4-(2-propenyl)-, acetate
Other conditions
The presence of the substance shall be indicated in the list of ingredients referred to in Article 19(1), point (g), when its concentration exceeds: — 0,001 % in leave-on products — 0,01 % in rinse-off products.

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

EAEUNo restrictions

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Is PHENOL banned in any country?

Yes, PHENOL is banned in UAE, Bahrain, Brazil, Canada, European Union, Indonesia, South Korea, Kuwait, Malaysia, Oman, Philippines, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Thailand, United Kingdom, Vietnam. Always check current regulations before formulating products for these markets.

What are the restrictions on PHENOL in cosmetics?

PHENOL is restricted or has conditions of use in UAE, Bahrain, European Union, Japan, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia. Restrictions may include maximum concentration limits, product type limitations, or mandatory labeling requirements. See the detailed regulations above for specifics.

Can I use PHENOL in cosmetics?

PHENOL is regulated in 18 markets. It is banned in UAE, Bahrain, Brazil, Canada, European Union, Indonesia, South Korea, Kuwait, Malaysia, Oman, Philippines, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Thailand, United Kingdom, Vietnam. It has restrictions in UAE, Bahrain, European Union, Japan, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia. 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.