Phenoxyacetic acid

Phenoxyacetic acid in plain language

What it is

Also known as Glycolic acid phenyl ether · Phenoxyethanoic acid · o-PHENYLGLYCOLIC ACID · 2-phenoxyacetic acid · Acetic acid, 2-phenoxy- · Acetic acid, phenoxy-

Show all 15 names

Acide phenoxyacetique · Glycol acid phenyl ether · Glycollic acid phenyl ether · Phenyl ether glycolic acid · Poa · POA cpd · Phenoxy acetic acid · Phenoxyacetate · acido fenoxiacetico

What it does

Used in cosmetics as a fragrance ingredient.

• Perfuming
• Flavouring agent
• Fragrance
• Flavouring

Is it a concern?

High 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 1 composition records across product categories including Laboratory supplies.

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.

• EU·EFSA·EFSA opinion2 entries

  • Flavouring Group Evaluation 53, Revision 1 (FGE.53Rev1): Consideration of phenethyl alcohol, aldehyde, acid and related acetals and esters evaluated by JECFA (59th meeting) and structurally related to phenethyl alcohol, aldehyde, esters and related phenylacetic acid esters evaluated by EFSA in FGE.14Rev1 (2009) and one phenoxyethyl ester evaluated in FGE.23Rev1 (2008). Scientific Opinion of the Panel on Food Contact Materials, Enzymes, Flavourings and Processing Aids (CEF) (EFSA CEF)Source →
  • Flavouring Group Evaluation 53 (FGE.53) Consideration of phenethyl alcohol, aldehyde, acid and related acetals and esters evaluated by JECFA (59th meeting) structurally related to phenethyl alcohol, aldehyde, esters and related phenylacetic acid esters evaluated by EFSA in FGE.14 (2005) and one phenoxyethyl ester evaluated in FGE.23 (2006) (Commission Regulation (EC) No 1565/2000 of 18 July 2000) (EFSA AFC)Source →
• EU·CosIng·ActivePOA

  • POASource →
• GLOBAL·JECFA·EvaluatedJECFA evaluation record.

  • JECFA evaluation record.Source →
• GLOBAL·JECFA·No safety concern at current levels of intake when used as a flavouring agentJECFA evaluation lists ADI No safety concern at current levels of intake when used as a flavouring agent. Functional class: flavouring agent.

  • JECFA evaluation lists ADI No safety concern at current levels of intake when used as a flavouring agent. Functional class: flavouring agent.Source →
• US·EPA·commercial 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 Fragrance, Flavouring and nutrient.

  • EPA CPDat observed this chemical in 1 composition records across product categories including Laboratory supplies. EPA CPDat classifies this chemical for functional uses including Fragrance, Flavouring and nutrient.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

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

  • Flavouring Group Evaluation 53, Revision 1 (FGE.53Rev1): Consideration of phenethyl alcohol, aldehyde, acid and related acetals and esters evaluated by JECFA (59th meeting) and structurally related to phenethyl alcohol, aldehyde, esters and related phenylacetic acid esters evaluated by EFSA in FGE.14Rev1 (2009) and one phenoxyethyl ester evaluated in FGE.23Rev1 (2008). Scientific Opinion of the Panel on Food Contact Materials, Enzymes, Flavourings and Processing Aids (CEF) (EFSA CEF)

    2009 · EU EFSA listing · Read the source →

  • Flavouring Group Evaluation 53 (FGE.53) Consideration of phenethyl alcohol, aldehyde, acid and related acetals and esters evaluated by JECFA (59th meeting) structurally related to phenethyl alcohol, aldehyde, esters and related phenylacetic acid esters evaluated by EFSA in FGE.14 (2005) and one phenoxyethyl ester evaluated in FGE.23 (2006) (Commission Regulation (EC) No 1565/2000 of 18 July 2000) (EFSA AFC)

    2008 · 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 lists ADI No safety concern at current levels of intake when used as a flavouring agent. Functional class: flavouring agent.

    Year not recorded · GLOBAL JECFA listing · Read the source →