- beauty
- industrial
Phenylacetonitrile
CAS 140-29-4 · 100/100 · High conf.
Concern score
100/100Critical concern based on regulatory listings.
High confidence
Phenylacetonitrile in plain language
Also known as Benzyl cyanide · Benzyl cyanide, when used as a fragrance ingredient · 2-phenylacetonitrile · (Cyanomethyl)benzene · 2-Phenylethanenitrile · Acetonitrile, phenyl-
Show all 18 names
phenyl-nitrile Acetic acid · Benzeneacetonitrile · Benzeneethanenitrile · Benzyl nitrile · Benzylkyanid · Benzylnitrile · Phenacetonitrile · Phenyl acetyl nitrile · Usaf KF-21 · alpha-Cyanotoluene · alpha-Tolunitrile · omega-Cyanotoluene
Used in cosmetics as a fragrance ingredient.
- Fragrance
- Deodorant
- Critical concern: no hazard classifications on record. It is banned in EU cosmetics.
Why it's flagged
Benzyl cyanide, when used as a fragrance ingredient is prohibited in cosmetic products under Annex II of the EU Cosmetics Regulation (EC) 1223/2009.
RestrictedEU EC — banned
The score describes this ingredient's chemical identity — its hazard profile from published classifications and regulatory status — not the safety of any product it appears in.
Regulation
Restrictions first, then routine listings from published regulatory sources.
- EU Annex II — prohibited
- EU prohibited in cosmetics
- Found in consumer products
- Industrial
- View source →banned
EUEC
Annex II of EU Cosmetics Regulation (EC) 1223/2009: substances prohibited in cosmetic products.
USEPAcommercial use observedEPA CPDat observed this chemical in 1 composition records across product categories including Laboratory supplies. EPA CPDat classifies this chemical for functional uses including Deodorizer, Fragrance.
- EPA CPDat observed this chemical in 1 composition records across product categories including Laboratory supplies. EPA CPDat classifies this chemical for functional uses including Deodorizer, Fragrance.Source →
USFDAlisted in openFDA substanceopenFDA substance registry classifies this ingredient as chemical.
- openFDA substance registry classifies this ingredient as chemical.Source →
Expert safety opinions
No expert opinion on file for Phenylacetonitrile. These are the independent scientific bodies that assess ingredients like this one; we show an opinion only when a record we hold cites it.
SCCS
EU Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety
No SCCS opinion on file.
CIR
Cosmetic Ingredient Review (US expert panel)
No CIR safety assessment on file.
Evidence & sources
No graded research studies for Phenylacetonitrile yet. This record is compiled from the published data sources below — registries and regulatory listings, not study findings.
Where this comes from
- Open →
CosIng
regulatory · updated 2026-09-23
- Open →
EU CosIng Cosmetics Regulation Annexes
regulatory · updated 2010-10-20
- Open →
EPA Chemical and Products Database
exposure · updated 2022-06-22
- Open →
EPA DSSTox Identifiers
chemistry · updated 2025-12-29
- Open →
FDA GSRS UNII
registry · updated 2026-02-26
- Open →
openFDA Substance
registry · updated 2026-05-24
- Open →
PubChem Live Enrichment
chemistry · updated 2026-05-17
Reference links (1)
Suitability
Context-specific fit derived from published classifications and the current ingredient evidence profile.
Fragrance avoidance
Not a strong fit for fragrance avoidance because it carries Fragrance.
The ingredient itself is a fragrance-linked signal, so it is better treated as an avoid case when fragrance exposure is the main concern.
Where it has been recorded
How often EPA CPDat has listed Phenylacetonitrile in a product composition. These are source records, not Greenveil catalog products.
Source records
1
Named organisations
2
Laboratory supplies
Typical roles
FragranceDeodorant