Fragrance avoidance
No fragrance-linked caution surfaced in the current profile.
This ingredient does not currently read as a fragrance-linked driver in the published evidence and hazard profile.
- beauty
- cleaning
- industrial
2-Ethylhexanoic acid
CAS 149-57-5 · 100/100 · High conf.
Also registered as 2 other CAS numbers
83829-68-9 · 202054-39-5
Concern score
100/100Critical concern driven by cmr.
High confidence
2-Ethylhexanoic acid in plain language
Also known as Ethyl hexanoic acid, 2- · Hexanoic acid, 2-ETHYL- · (.+-.)-2-Ethylhexanoic acid · 2-AETHYLCAPRONSAEURE · 2-Butylbutanoic acid · 2-Ethyl-1-hexanoic acid
Show all 18 names
2-Ethylcaproic acid · 2-Ethylhexansaure · 2-ethyl hexanoic acid · 2-ethyl-hexoic acid · 2-ethylhexoic acid · 3-Heptanecarboxylic acid · Butylethylacetic acid · Ethyl hexanoic acid · Ethylhexanoic acid · alpha-Ethylcaproic acid · alpha-Ethylhexanoic acid · ethylhexoic acid
Used in consumer products as a solvent and a flavouring.
- Solvent
- Flavouring
- Critical concern: classified for carcinogenic, mutagenic or reproductive toxicity (CMR). It is banned in EU cosmetics.
Why it's flagged
- Cmr
2-ethylhexanoic acid and its salts with the exception of those specified elsewhere in Annex VI to Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008. 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
- Cleaning
- Industrial
- View source →banned
EUEC
Annex II of EU Cosmetics Regulation (EC) 1223/2009: substances prohibited in cosmetic products. CMR: Reprotoxic Cat. 2()
EUCosIngActiveCosmetics Regulation annex II / ref 1024.
- Cosmetics Regulation annex II / ref 1024.Source →
USEPAcommercial use observedEPA CPDat observed this chemical in 52 composition records across product categories including Raw materials, Home maintenance, Vehicle. EPA CPDat classifies this chemical for functional uses including Flavouring and nutrient, Solvent.
- EPA CPDat observed this chemical in 52 composition records across product categories including Raw materials, Home maintenance, Vehicle. EPA CPDat classifies this chemical for functional uses including Flavouring and nutrient, Solvent.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 2-Ethylhexanoic acid. 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 2-Ethylhexanoic acid 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 2023-08-21
- Open →
EPA Chemical and Products Database
exposure · updated January 7, 2008
- 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
Suitability
Context-specific fit derived from published classifications and the current ingredient evidence profile.
Good fit
Where it has been recorded
How often EPA CPDat has listed 2-Ethylhexanoic acid in a product composition. These are source records, not Greenveil catalog products.
Source records
52
Named organisations
6
Raw materialsHome maintenanceVehicleIndustrial productsLaboratory suppliesSpecialty occupational products
Typical roles
SolventFlavouring