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Answer: Yes — Chromium is banned in 1 country/region including European Union. The FDA still allows it in US cosmetics and personal-care products. Risk level: high. Commonly found in: pigments (contaminant).
TL;DR: Chromium is banned in the EU but allowed in the US (heavy metals).
Reviewed for clarity & usefulness by the BannedPantry Parent Panel
INCI name Chromium VI. CAS 18540-29-9.
| EU status | Banned |
|---|---|
| US status | Allowed |
| Risk level | high |
| Where it shows up | pigments (contaminant) |
| CAS number | 18540-29-9 |
Chromium (Chromium VI) is a toxic hexavalent chromium contaminant.
It is used for its preservative, coloring, fragrance, solvent or texture-enhancing function.
A carcinogen and sensitizer; banned in EU cosmetics.
For educational use only. This page summarizes the regulatory status of Chromiumwith citations to the primary sources below. It is not medical advice. Regulatory status is not the same as a proven health effect — read the cited sources for their exact wording, and consult a doctor for decisions about your or your family's health.
Choose EU-compliant or 'free-from' formulations and read the INCI list. BannedPantry flags this ingredient and suggests safer swaps.
Chromium is banned under the EU Cosmetics Regulation (1223/2009), but it is allowed in US personal-care products.
Yes — Chromium can still appear in US-sold cosmetics and personal-care products because US rules are far less restrictive than the EU's.
Read the INCI ingredient list on the back of the package. Scan the barcode with BannedPantry to flag Chromium automatically.
Yes. Look for EU-compliant or 'free-from' formulations; BannedPantry suggests safer swaps when it detects Chromium.
Scan any product's barcode and instantly see if it contains Chromium or other ingredients banned overseas.
Scan a product free →Our scores are never influenced by brands. Last updated 6/11/2026.