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Answer: Yes — DEHP 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: nail polish, perfume, hairspray.
TL;DR: DEHP is banned in the EU but allowed in the US (phthalates).
Reviewed for clarity & usefulness by the BannedPantry Parent Panel
INCI name Diethylhexyl Phthalate. CAS 117-81-7.
Other names: di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate
| EU status | Banned |
|---|---|
| US status | Allowed |
| Risk level | high |
| Where it shows up | nail polish, perfume, hairspray, lotion |
| CAS number | 117-81-7 |
DEHP is a phthalate plasticizer historically used in fragrances, nail polish and hair products.
Phthalates make plastics flexible, help fragrance last longer and reduce nail-polish chipping.
DEHP is a reproductive and developmental toxicant and endocrine disruptor. The EU bans CMR phthalates in cosmetics; the US has no federal cosmetic ban.
For educational use only. This page summarizes the regulatory status of DEHPwith 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 phthalate-free and 'fragrance-free' products. BannedPantry flags phthalates and undisclosed 'fragrance' on the label.
DEHP is banned under the EU Cosmetics Regulation (1223/2009), but it is allowed in US personal-care products.
Yes — DEHP 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 DEHP automatically.
Yes. Look for EU-compliant or 'free-from' formulations; BannedPantry suggests safer swaps when it detects DEHP.
Scan any product's barcode and instantly see if it contains DEHP or other ingredients banned overseas.
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