What does Phosphoric acid do?

Used in cosmetics as a pH buffer.

Is Phosphoric acid safe?

Moderate concern: no hazard classifications on record. It is listed for cosmetic use in the EU.

beauty
cleaning
food
industrial

Phosphoric acid

CAS 62046-92-8 · 40/100 · High conf.

Also registered as 9 other CAS numbers

28602-75-7 · 178560-73-1 · 959699-83-3 · 1021417-41-3 · 1053657-23-0 · 1196963-54-8 · 1643589-98-3 · 2055242-58-3 · 7664-38-2

Concern score

40/100Moderate concern based on regulatory listings.

High confidence

Phosphoric acid in plain language

What it is: Also known as Orthophosphoric acid · Acidum phosphoricum · Amberphos 54 · Vococid · Wc-reiniger · 3M Etching Liquid
Show all 30 names
Acidic phosphates · Acide orthophosphorique · Acide phosphorique · Acido fosforico · Conditioner 36 · E 338 · Etchalite · Evits · Fosforzuuroplossingen · Ins NO.338 · INS-338 · Phosphoric Acid Neutralized · Phosphoric acid Divosan X-Tend formulation · Phosphorsaeure · Phosphorsaeureloesungen · Sonac · White phosphoric acid · Y-11A06 · acido ortofosforico · o-Phosphoric acid · phosphoric acid (sara 313) (cercla) · phosphoric acid (sara 313) (cercla). vp:0.0 @ 68f · phosphoric acid (sara iii) · Phosphoricum acidum
What it does: Used in cosmetics as a pH buffer.
Buffering
Acid, antioxidant synergist, sequestrant, synergist
pH adjuster
Fragrance
Flavouring
Stabiliser
Is it a concern?: Moderate concern: no hazard classifications on record. It is listed for cosmetic use in the EU.

Why it's flagged

EPA CPDat observed this chemical in 3140 composition records across product categories including Construction and building materials, Raw materials, Home maintenance.

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

No restrictions found. Phosphoric acid appears in these published regulatory listings.

In marketed US drugs
Inactive ingredient in US drugs

Recorded in these product areas

Found in consumer products
Beauty
Cleaning
Industrial

USFDAinactive ingredient database28 entries — 11 administration routes
- Route: INTRAVENOUS; Dosage form: INJECTION, POWDER, FOR SOLUTION; Potency: ADJ PHSource →
- Route: INTRAVENOUS; Dosage form: INJECTION, POWDER, LYOPHILIZED, FOR SOLUTION; Potency: ADJ PHSource →
- Route: INTRAVENOUS; Dosage form: INJECTION, SOLUTION; Potency: ADJ PHSource →
- Route: OPHTHALMIC; Dosage form: SOLUTION; Potency: ADJ PHSource →
- Route: OPHTHALMIC; Dosage form: SOLUTION/ DROPS; Potency: ADJ PHSource →
- Route: ORAL; Dosage form: SOLUTION; Maximum daily exposure: 19 mgSource →
- Route: ORAL; Dosage form: TABLET; Potency: 0.04 mgSource →
- Route: ORAL; Dosage form: TABLET, EXTENDED RELEASE; Potency: 0.19 mgSource →
- Route: ORAL; Dosage form: TABLET, FILM COATED, EXTENDED RELEASE; Maximum daily exposure: 6 mgSource →
- Route: ORAL; Dosage form: TABLET, ORALLY DISINTEGRATING; Maximum daily exposure: 4 mgSource →
- Route: SOFT TISSUE; Dosage form: INJECTION; Potency: ADJ PHSource →
- Route: SUBCUTANEOUS; Dosage form: INJECTION; Potency: ADJ PHSource →
- Route: SUBCUTANEOUS; Dosage form: INJECTION, POWDER, FOR SOLUTION; Potency: ADJ PHSource →
- Route: TOPICAL; Dosage form: CREAM; Maximum daily exposure: 13 mgSource →
- Route: TOPICAL; Dosage form: GEL; Potency: ADJ PHSource →
- Route: TOPICAL; Dosage form: LOTION; Maximum daily exposure: 1 mgSource →
- Route: TOPICAL; Dosage form: LOTION, AUGMENTED; Maximum daily exposure: 1 mgSource →
- Route: TOPICAL; Dosage form: OINTMENT; Potency: ADJ PHSource →
- Route: TOPICAL; Dosage form: SOLUTION; Potency: 0.23 %w/wSource →
- Route: TOPICAL; Dosage form: SPONGE; Potency: ADJ PHSource →
- Route: VAGINAL; Dosage form: AEROSOL, FOAM; Potency: NASource →
- Route: VAGINAL; Dosage form: CREAM; Potency: 0.56 %w/wSource →
- Route: INTRAMUSCULAR; Dosage form: INJECTION; Potency: ADJ PHSource →
- Route: INTRALESIONAL; Dosage form: INJECTION; Potency: ADJ PHSource →
- Route: INTRA-ARTICULAR; Dosage form: INJECTION; Potency: ADJ PHSource →
- Route: DENTAL; Dosage form: PASTE, DENTIFRICE; Potency: ADJ PHSource →
- Route: INTRAVENOUS; Dosage form: INJECTION; Potency: 2.11 %w/vSource →
- Route: INTRAMUSCULAR; Dosage form: INJECTION, POWDER, FOR SOLUTION; Potency: ADJ PHSource →
EUEFSAEFSA opinion2 entries
- Scientific Opinion on the evaluation of the substances currently on the list in the Annex to Commission Directive 96/3/EC as acceptable previous cargoes for edible fats and oils - Part I of III (EFSA CONTAM)Source →
- Scientific Opinion on the safety and efficacy of orthophosphoric acid for all animal species (EFSA FEEDAP)Source →
GLOBALJECFAEvaluated2 entries
- JECFA evaluation record.Source →
- JECFA evaluation record. Functional class: acid, antioxidant synergist, sequestrant, synergist.Source →
EUCosIngActiveListed in CosIng inventory for cosmetic use.
- Listed in CosIng inventory for cosmetic use.Source →
EUEFSAReasoned opinionModification of the existing MRLs for potassium phosphonates in lemons, limes and mandarins and in herbal infusions from leaves and herbs (EFSA)
- Modification of the existing MRLs for potassium phosphonates in lemons, limes and mandarins and in herbal infusions from leaves and herbs (EFSA)Source →
EUEFSAEFSA statementAssessment of one published review on health risks associated with phosphate additives in food (EFSA ANS)
- Assessment of one published review on health risks associated with phosphate additives in food (EFSA ANS)Source →
USEPAcommercial use observedEPA CPDat observed this chemical in 3140 composition records across product categories including Construction and building materials, Raw materials, Home maintenance. EPA CPDat classifies this chemical for functional uses including Stabilizing agent, Bleaching agent, pH regulating agent.
- EPA CPDat observed this chemical in 3140 composition records across product categories including Construction and building materials, Raw materials, Home maintenance. EPA CPDat classifies this chemical for functional uses including Stabilizing agent, Bleaching agent, pH regulating agent.Source →
USFDAmarketed drug occurrenceFDA NDC lists this ingredient in 255 active drug products and 288 total products.
- FDA NDC lists this ingredient in 255 active drug products and 288 total products.Source →
USFDAlisted in openFDA substanceopenFDA substance registry classifies this ingredient as chemical.
- openFDA substance registry classifies this ingredient as chemical.Source →

Expert safety opinions

Independent scientific assessments cited by the records we hold, with the year and link where the record gives one.

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.
EFSA
European Food Safety Authority
- Modification of the existing MRLs for potassium phosphonates in lemons, limes and mandarins and in herbal infusions from leaves and herbs (EFSA)
  2021 · EU EFSA listing · Read the source →
- Scientific Opinion on the evaluation of the substances currently on the list in the Annex to Commission Directive 96/3/EC as acceptable previous cargoes for edible fats and oils - Part I of III (EFSA CONTAM)
  2011 · EU EFSA listing · Read the source →
- Scientific Opinion on the safety and efficacy of orthophosphoric acid for all animal species (EFSA FEEDAP)
  2013 · EU EFSA listing · Read the source →
- Assessment of one published review on health risks associated with phosphate additives in food (EFSA ANS)
  2013 · EU EFSA listing · Read the source →
JECFA
Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives
- JECFA evaluation record.
  Year not recorded · GLOBAL JECFA listing · Read the source →
- JECFA evaluation record. Functional class: acid, antioxidant synergist, sequestrant, synergist.
  Year not recorded · GLOBAL JECFA listing · Read the source →

Evidence & sources

No graded research studies for Phosphoric acid yet. This record is compiled from the published data sources below — registries and regulatory listings, not study findings.

10 data sources

Where this comes from

CosIng
regulatory · updated 2026-09-23
Open →
EFSA OpenFoodTox
regulatory · updated 2026-10-04
Open →
EPA Chemical and Products Database
exposure · updated september 11, 2014
Open →
EPA DSSTox Identifiers
chemistry · updated 2025-12-29
Open →
FDA Inactive Ingredient Database
regulatory · updated 2026-01-09
Open →
FDA National Drug Code Directory
regulatory · updated 2029-08-02
Open →
FDA GSRS UNII
registry · updated 2026-02-26
Open →
WHO JECFA Database
regulatory · updated 2026-10-04
Open →
openFDA Substance
registry · updated 2026-05-24
Open →
PubChem Live Enrichment
chemistry · updated 2026-05-17
Open →

Reference links (1)

Openfda substance

codexalimentarius.net

Read →

Suitability

Context-specific fit derived from published classifications and the current ingredient evidence profile.

Food use

Food-use source coverage is present in the current record.

Good fit

The ingredient appears in food-oriented source coverage or allowed-use references, which makes food use easier to support than a context with no domain signal at all.

Fragrance avoidance

Not a strong fit for fragrance avoidance because it carries Fragrance.

Avoid

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 Phosphoric acid in a product composition. These are source records, not Greenveil catalog products.

Source records

3,140

Named organisations

Construction and building materialsRaw materialsHome maintenanceLaboratory suppliesCleaning products and household careIndustrial products

Typical roles

BufferingAcid, antioxidant synergist, sequestrant, synergistpH adjusterFragranceFlavouringStabiliser

See products using Phosphoric acid →

Catalog

Found in these products

Their ingredient lists include Phosphoric acid; each product's own rating depends on its whole formula, so it is shown on the product page, not here.

See all 302 →Find products without it →