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Answer: Yes — Coal tar 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: anti-dandruff shampoo, hair dye, psoriasis products.
TL;DR: Coal tar is banned in the EU but allowed in the US (carcinogens, mutagens & reproductive toxicants).
Reviewed for clarity & usefulness by the BannedPantry Parent Panel
INCI name Coal Tar. CAS 8007-45-2.
| EU status | Banned |
|---|---|
| US status | Allowed |
| Risk level | high |
| Where it shows up | anti-dandruff shampoo, hair dye, psoriasis products |
| CAS number | 8007-45-2 |
Coal tar is a complex byproduct of coal processing used in dandruff and psoriasis products and dyes.
It is used for its preservative, coloring, UV-filtering, lightening or texture-enhancing properties.
A known human carcinogen. Restricted in the EU (banned in hair dye); permitted in US OTC products.
For educational use only. This page summarizes the regulatory status of Coal tarwith 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.
Coal tar is banned under the EU Cosmetics Regulation (1223/2009), but it is allowed in US personal-care products.
Yes — Coal tar 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 Coal tar automatically.
Yes. Look for EU-compliant or 'free-from' formulations; BannedPantry suggests safer swaps when it detects Coal tar.
Scan any product's barcode and instantly see if it contains Coal tar or other ingredients banned overseas.
Scan a product free →Our scores are never influenced by brands. Last updated 6/11/2026.