Regulatory
Propylene Glycol

Regulatory

Authorities confirm safety of propylene glycol

The safety of propylene glycol has been evaluated and confirmed by international and national authorities. Both the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), and the Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety, have published risk assessments that conclude propylene glycol has very low toxicity.

Pharmaceuticals

ImageIn Europe propylene glycol  used in pharmaceuticals applications must follow strict specifications for quality as laid out in the European Pharmacopoeia. The 8th edition of this official document of the European Directorate for the Quality of Medicines (EDQM) was published in 2013 and is used in more than 37 countries in Europe.

In the US, propylene glycol is regulated by the US Food & Drug Administration (FDA) and must meet the specifications for pharmaceutical grade material laid out in the United Stated Pharmacopeia. US Pharmaceopeia/National Formulary (USP/NF) chapter <467> imposes certain limits on Residual Solvents present as impurities in drug substances, excipient and products.

Food

The European authorities responsible for consumer health have approved the use of propylene glycol with food:

  • in direct food contact regulated by Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008 on food additives: Propane- 1,2-diol (propylene glycol USP/EP) is listed as an approved food additive in Annexes II+III under E1520. The full content of these annexes is published under Regulation (EU) No 1129/2011 and (EU) No 1130/2011 respectively. Propylene Glycol USP/EP meets the purity criteria for E1520 (propane- 1,2-diol) included Regulation (EC) No 2012/231, laying down specifications for food additives in Annexes II and III to Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008.
  • in indirect food contact covered by Regulation (EC) 10/2011 and amendments) relating to plastic materials and articles intended to come into contact with food, such as packaging material.

The United States FDA has affirmed propylene glycol as Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) when used:

  • as a direct food ingredient with certain limitations as specified in 21 CFR § 184.1666.  It is used in various applications such as stabilizers, thickeners, flavoring agent, emulsifiers, anticaking agent, antioxidant and others as defined in 21 CFR § 170.3.  
  • in various indirect food contact applications as specified in 21 CFR parts 174, 175, 176 or 177.  Propylene glycol is used in food contact surfaces such as adhesives and components of coatings, paper and paperboard components, polymers and others as specified in the above chapters.  

Propylene glycol used in food applications must meet the specifications of the US Food Chemicals Codex.  The caloric content of propylene glycol is 4 cal/g according to the definition of a carbohydrate as defined by the FDA in 21 CFR § 101.9(c)(1)(i)(B).

Animal Feed

As of October 2010 propylene glycol is an approved animal feed material according to Regulation (EC) No 767/2009. It is listed in the Catalogue of Approved Feed Materials (Regulation(EU) 68/2013) and in the EU Register of Feed Materials

The US FDA affirms propylene glycol is GRAS (except in cat food) as a general animal feed additive in 21 CFR § 582.1666 or as an emulsifying agent in 21 CFR § 582.4666 when used in accordance with good manufacturing or feeding practice.  The FDA has determined that propylene glycol is not safe for use in or on cat food, and such use causes the feed to be adulterated and therefore in violation of the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act (21 CFR § 589.1001).

Cosmetics

In 1994, the Cosmetics Industry Safety Panel (of CTFA, Cosmetic, Toiletry and Fragrance Association, known today as “The Personal Care Products Council”) confirmed propylene glycol to be safe for use in cosmetic articles, and at higher concentrations than those actually used in consumer products.

In Europe Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009 on Cosmetic Products works on the principle of a “negative” list which defines substances that are prohibited or restricted for use in cosmetics. Propylene Glycol is not on this list.

REACH

The Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006 concerning Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH) requires producers and importers of chemical substances in quantities of above 1 ton per year to register with the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA). The registration dossier contains detailed information on the substance's intrinsic properties and hazards, a detailed use mapping, and, for hazardous substances, an exposure and risk assessment. As propylene glycol is not classified as hazardous, exposure scenarios and risk assessments are not required. 

The Propylene Glycol Producers in the EU have worked together in a Consortium to jointly address the registration requirements of propylene glycol. For further details on this please visit the dedicated Propylene Oxide-Propylene Glycols REACH webpage managed by REACHCENTRUM.

Please be aware that the registration is valid for the molecule propylene glycol (CAS No 57-55-6) with a defined  substance identification agreed in the Consortium, which is different from the quality specifications necessary for industrial vs. pharmaceutical applications.

Classification

Most countries have adopted the UN Globally Harmonised System (GHS) for Classification and Labelling. In Europe GHS is implemented under Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008, also known as the CLP Regulation. In the United States GHS is implemented under the OSHA Hazard Communication Standard (HCS). Propylene Glycol is not classified as hazardous under GHS.