Bisphenol a

Bisphenol a in plain language

What it is

On cosmetic ingredient lists it appears as “4'-ISOPROPYLIDENEDIPHENOL”.

Also known as 4'-ISOPROPYLIDENEDIPHENOL · 4,4'-ISOPROPYLIDENEDIPHENOL · Bisphenol A (4,4'-Isopropylidenediphenol) · (4,4'-Dihydroxydiphenyl)dimethylmethane · 2,2'-Bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)propane · 2,2-BIS(4-HYDROXYPHENYL)PROPANE

Show all 15 names

2,2-BIS-(4-HYDROXY-PHENYL)-PROPANE · 2,2-Bis(4'-hydroxyphenyl) propane · 4,4'-(1-METHYLETHYLIDENE)BISPHENOL · 4,4'-(Propane-2,2-diyl)diphenol · 4,4'-Propane-2,2-diyldiphenol · 4,4’-Propane-2,2-diyldiphenol · Brass Metal Flake · Phenol, 4,4'-(1-methylethylidene)bis- · bisphenol a (sara 313)

What it does

Used in cosmetics as an antioxidant.

• Antioxidant

Is it a concern?

Critical concern: classified for carcinogenic, mutagenic or reproductive toxicity (CMR). It is banned in EU cosmetics.

Why it's flagged

• Cmr

Bisphenol A (4,4'-Isopropylidenediphenol) 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.

• In marketed US drugs
• EU Annex II — prohibited
• EU prohibited in cosmetics

• EU·EC

  Annex II of EU Cosmetics Regulation (EC) 1223/2009: substances prohibited in cosmetic products. CMR: Reprotoxic Cat. 1B()

  banned
  View source →

• EU·CosIng·Active2 entries

  • Cosmetics Regulation annex II / ref 1176.Source →
  • 4,4'-(1-Methylethylidene)Bisphenol Restriction: II/1176 CMR 1BSource →
• US·EPA·commercial use observedEPA CPDat observed this chemical in 295 composition records across product categories including Furniture and furnishings, Raw materials, Medical/dental. EPA CPDat classifies this chemical for functional uses including No specific technical function, Binder, Hardener.

  • EPA CPDat observed this chemical in 295 composition records across product categories including Furniture and furnishings, Raw materials, Medical/dental. EPA CPDat classifies this chemical for functional uses including No specific technical function, Binder, Hardener.Source →
• US·FDA·marketed drug occurrenceFDA NDC lists this ingredient in 7 active drug products and 13 total products.

  • FDA NDC lists this ingredient in 7 active drug products and 13 total products.Source →
• US·FDA·listed 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 Bisphenol a. 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.