SODIUM HYDROXYMETHYLGLYCINATE

BannedCAS 70161-44-325 regulations across 18 markets

SODIUM HYDROXYMETHYLGLYCINATE is a cosmetic ingredient classified as Hair Conditioning. Also known as CAS 70161-44-3. It is regulated in 18 markets including UAE, Bahrain, Brazil.

Also Known As

CAS Number
70161-44-3

Market Overview — 29 Markets

European Union2
United Kingdom1
United States
California
Maryland
Washington1
Canada
Brazil1
South Korea1
Japan
Taiwan1
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 #1669
Chemical name
Sodium N-(hydroxymethyl)glycinate; [formaldehyde released from sodium N-(hydroxymethyl)glycinate] if the maximum theoretical concentration of releasable formaldehyde, irrespective of the source, in the mixture as placed on the market is ≥ 0,1 % w/w

Source: EC 1223/2009 Annex II

European UnionRestrictedAnnex V #51
Chemical name
Sodium hydroxymethylamino acetate
CAS
70161-44-3
Max concentration
0.5%
Other conditions
Not to be used if the maximum theoretical concentration of releasable formaldehyde, irrespective of the source, if the mixture as placed on the market is ≥ 0,1 % w/w

Source: EC 1223/2009 Annex V

United KingdomRestrictedAnnex V #51
Chemical name
Sodium hydroxymethylamino acetate
CAS
70161-44-3
Max concentration
0,5 %
Conditions of use
Max: 0,5 %
Other conditions
Not to be used if the maximum theoretical concentration of releasable formaldehyde, irrespective of the source, in the mixture as placed on the market is ≥ 0,1 % w/w

Source: UK retained EC 1223/2009 Annex V

Americas2 regulations
WashingtonBannedAnnex HB1047_P2
Chemical name
Sodium Hydroxymethylglycinate
CAS
70161-44-3
Conditions of use
Banned effective 2027-01-01 (HB 1047 Phase 2 - formaldehyde releasers)

Source: WA HB 1047 (Toxic-Free Cosmetics Act)

BrazilRestrictedAnnex RDC_528 #51
Chemical name
Hidroximetilamino acetato de sódio
CAS
70161-44-3
Max concentration
0,5%

Source: ANVISA RDC 528

East Asia & Oceania2 regulations
South KoreaRestrictedAnnex restricted #M929
Chemical name
Sodium Hydroxymethylglycinate
Conditions of use
* 배합한도 : 0.5%

Source: MFDS Korea Cosmetics Regulation

TaiwanRestrictedAnnex Preservatives List #57
Chemical name
Sodium hydroxymethylamino acetate
CAS
70161-44-3
Max concentration
0.5 %
Conditions of use
When used as preservatives in cosmetic products, the total amount of released free formaldehyde should not exceed 1000 ppm

Source: TFDA Cosmetics Regulations

ASEAN6 regulations
SingaporeRestrictedAnnex ACD Annex VI (Preservatives) #51
Chemical name
Sodium N-(hydroxymethyl) glycinate ( / Sodium Hydroxymethylglycinate)
CAS
70161-44-3
Max concentration
0.5%
Conditions of use
Not to be used unless it can be shown that the maximum theoretical concentration of releasable formaldehyde, irrespective of the source, in the mixture as placed on the market is < 0.1 %w/w.

Source: ASEAN Cosmetic Directive (HSA Dec 2025)

MalaysiaRestrictedAnnex ACD Annex VI (Preservatives) #51
Chemical name
Sodium N-(hydroxymethyl) glycinate ( / Sodium Hydroxymethylglycinate)
CAS
70161-44-3
Max concentration
0.5%
Conditions of use
Not to be used unless it can be shown that the maximum theoretical concentration of releasable formaldehyde, irrespective of the source, in the mixture as placed on the market is < 0.1 %w/w.

Source: ASEAN Cosmetic Directive (HSA Dec 2025)

ThailandRestrictedAnnex ACD Annex VI (Preservatives) #51
Chemical name
Sodium N-(hydroxymethyl) glycinate ( / Sodium Hydroxymethylglycinate)
CAS
70161-44-3
Max concentration
0.5%
Conditions of use
Not to be used unless it can be shown that the maximum theoretical concentration of releasable formaldehyde, irrespective of the source, in the mixture as placed on the market is < 0.1 %w/w.

Source: ASEAN Cosmetic Directive (HSA Dec 2025)

IndonesiaRestrictedAnnex ACD Annex VI (Preservatives) #51
Chemical name
Sodium N-(hydroxymethyl) glycinate ( / Sodium Hydroxymethylglycinate)
CAS
70161-44-3
Max concentration
0.5%
Conditions of use
Not to be used unless it can be shown that the maximum theoretical concentration of releasable formaldehyde, irrespective of the source, in the mixture as placed on the market is < 0.1 %w/w.

Source: ASEAN Cosmetic Directive (HSA Dec 2025)

VietnamRestrictedAnnex ACD Annex VI (Preservatives) #51
Chemical name
Sodium N-(hydroxymethyl) glycinate ( / Sodium Hydroxymethylglycinate)
CAS
70161-44-3
Max concentration
0.5%
Conditions of use
Not to be used unless it can be shown that the maximum theoretical concentration of releasable formaldehyde, irrespective of the source, in the mixture as placed on the market is < 0.1 %w/w.

Source: ASEAN Cosmetic Directive (HSA Dec 2025)

PhilippinesRestrictedAnnex ACD Annex VI (Preservatives) #51
Chemical name
Sodium N-(hydroxymethyl) glycinate ( / Sodium Hydroxymethylglycinate)
CAS
70161-44-3
Max concentration
0.5%
Conditions of use
Not to be used unless it can be shown that the maximum theoretical concentration of releasable formaldehyde, irrespective of the source, in the mixture as placed on the market is < 0.1 %w/w.

Source: ASEAN Cosmetic Directive (HSA Dec 2025)

GCC12 regulations
UAEBannedAnnex II #1669
Chemical name
Sodium N-(hydroxymethyl)glycinate; [formaldehyde released from sodium N-(hydroxymethyl)glycinate] if the maximum theoretical concentration of releasable formaldehyde, irrespective of the source, in the mixture as placed on the market is ≥ 0,1 % w/w

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

UAERestrictedAnnex V #51
Chemical name
Sodium hydroxymethylamino acetate
CAS
70161-44-3
Max concentration
0.5%
Other conditions
Not to be used if the maximum theoretical concentration of releasable formaldehyde, irrespective of the source, if the mixture as placed on the market is ≥ 0,1 % w/w

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

Saudi ArabiaBannedAnnex II #1669
Chemical name
Sodium N-(hydroxymethyl)glycinate; [formaldehyde released from sodium N-(hydroxymethyl)glycinate] if the maximum theoretical concentration of releasable formaldehyde, irrespective of the source, in the mixture as placed on the market is ≥ 0,1 % w/w

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

Saudi ArabiaRestrictedAnnex V #51
Chemical name
Sodium hydroxymethylamino acetate
CAS
70161-44-3
Max concentration
0.5%
Other conditions
Not to be used if the maximum theoretical concentration of releasable formaldehyde, irrespective of the source, if the mixture as placed on the market is ≥ 0,1 % w/w

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

QatarBannedAnnex II #1669
Chemical name
Sodium N-(hydroxymethyl)glycinate; [formaldehyde released from sodium N-(hydroxymethyl)glycinate] if the maximum theoretical concentration of releasable formaldehyde, irrespective of the source, in the mixture as placed on the market is ≥ 0,1 % w/w

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

QatarRestrictedAnnex V #51
Chemical name
Sodium hydroxymethylamino acetate
CAS
70161-44-3
Max concentration
0.5%
Other conditions
Not to be used if the maximum theoretical concentration of releasable formaldehyde, irrespective of the source, if the mixture as placed on the market is ≥ 0,1 % w/w

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

OmanBannedAnnex II #1669
Chemical name
Sodium N-(hydroxymethyl)glycinate; [formaldehyde released from sodium N-(hydroxymethyl)glycinate] if the maximum theoretical concentration of releasable formaldehyde, irrespective of the source, in the mixture as placed on the market is ≥ 0,1 % w/w

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

OmanRestrictedAnnex V #51
Chemical name
Sodium hydroxymethylamino acetate
CAS
70161-44-3
Max concentration
0.5%
Other conditions
Not to be used if the maximum theoretical concentration of releasable formaldehyde, irrespective of the source, if the mixture as placed on the market is ≥ 0,1 % w/w

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

KuwaitBannedAnnex II #1669
Chemical name
Sodium N-(hydroxymethyl)glycinate; [formaldehyde released from sodium N-(hydroxymethyl)glycinate] if the maximum theoretical concentration of releasable formaldehyde, irrespective of the source, in the mixture as placed on the market is ≥ 0,1 % w/w

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

KuwaitRestrictedAnnex V #51
Chemical name
Sodium hydroxymethylamino acetate
CAS
70161-44-3
Max concentration
0.5%
Other conditions
Not to be used if the maximum theoretical concentration of releasable formaldehyde, irrespective of the source, if the mixture as placed on the market is ≥ 0,1 % w/w

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

BahrainBannedAnnex II #1669
Chemical name
Sodium N-(hydroxymethyl)glycinate; [formaldehyde released from sodium N-(hydroxymethyl)glycinate] if the maximum theoretical concentration of releasable formaldehyde, irrespective of the source, in the mixture as placed on the market is ≥ 0,1 % w/w

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

BahrainRestrictedAnnex V #51
Chemical name
Sodium hydroxymethylamino acetate
CAS
70161-44-3
Max concentration
0.5%
Other conditions
Not to be used if the maximum theoretical concentration of releasable formaldehyde, irrespective of the source, if the mixture as placed on the market is ≥ 0,1 % w/w

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

EAEUNo restrictions

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Is SODIUM HYDROXYMETHYLGLYCINATE banned in any country?

Yes, SODIUM HYDROXYMETHYLGLYCINATE is banned in UAE, Bahrain, European Union, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Washington. Always check current regulations before formulating products for these markets.

What are the restrictions on SODIUM HYDROXYMETHYLGLYCINATE in cosmetics?

SODIUM HYDROXYMETHYLGLYCINATE is restricted or has conditions of use in UAE, Bahrain, Brazil, European Union, Indonesia, 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 SODIUM HYDROXYMETHYLGLYCINATE in cosmetics?

SODIUM HYDROXYMETHYLGLYCINATE is regulated in 18 markets. It is banned in UAE, Bahrain, European Union, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Washington. It has restrictions in UAE, Bahrain, Brazil, European Union, Indonesia, 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.