Skip to content
ClaraDB
Sign inOpen ClaraDBCheck a productStart a workspace

CAS 50-00-0

Is Formaldehyde banned where you sell?

Also listed as methanal. 8 markets have rules for it. Selling something that contains it? Check it free, no account needed.

Check a productStart a workspace
  • Free
  • No account needed
  • The law behind every rule

Status

Status by market

Banned, limited, needs a warning, or no rule we know of. US states also follow federal rules, shown in their own row.

Market
Status
Requirement, dates and source
United States (federal)
Limited

For Home and kitchen goods: Limit 0.05 ppm (emission basis). In force since 1 Jun 2018.

“For hardwood plywood made with a veneer core or a composite core, 0.05 parts per million (ppm) of formaldehyde.”
§770.10(b) · fetched 2026-10-08US EPA via eCFR: 40 CFR 770(opens in a new tab)

For Home and kitchen goods: Limit 0.11 ppm (emission basis). In force since 1 Jun 2018.

“For medium-density fiberboard, 0.11 ppm of formaldehyde.”
§770.10(b) · fetched 2026-10-08US EPA via eCFR: 40 CFR 770(opens in a new tab)

For Home and kitchen goods: Limit 0.09 ppm (emission basis). In force since 1 Jun 2018.

“For particleboard, 0.09 ppm of formaldehyde.”
§770.10(b) · fetched 2026-10-08US EPA via eCFR: 40 CFR 770(opens in a new tab)

For Home and kitchen goods: Limit 0.13 ppm (emission basis). In force since 1 Jun 2018.

“For thin medium-density fiberboard, 0.13 ppm of formaldehyde.”
§770.10(b) · fetched 2026-10-08US EPA via eCFR: 40 CFR 770(opens in a new tab)
California (US state)
Banned

For Cosmetics and personal care: Banned. In force since 1 Jan 2025.

“(3) Formaldehyde (CAS no. 50-00-0).”
HSC 108980(a)(3) · fetched 2026-10-08California Legislature: Cal. Health & Safety Code 108980-108985.7(opens in a new tab)

Warning required when exposure exceeds the threshold (NSRL (µg/day): 40). In force since 1 Jan 1989.

Chemical
Formaldehyde (gas)
Type of toxicity
cancer
Listed by
the State's Qualified Experts (SQE)
CAS No.
50-00-0
Date listed
1 Jan 1988
NSRL or MADL (µg/day)
40

Prop 65 list row: Formaldehyde (gas) · fetched 2026-10-08

California OEHHA: 27 CCR 27001(opens in a new tab)
Colorado (US state)
No known rule

We have no rule for it here. Our coverage starts 1 Jan 2025 (Home and kitchen goods: 1 Jan 2025; Cosmetics and personal care: 1 Jan 2025), and this doesn't mean it's allowed.

Connecticut (US state)
No known rule

We have no rule for it here. Our coverage starts 1 Jan 2025, and this doesn't mean it's allowed.

Hawaii (US state)
No known rule

We have no rule for it here. Our coverage starts 1 Jan 2025, and this doesn't mean it's allowed.

Illinois (US state)
No known rule

We have no rule for it here. Our coverage starts 1 Jan 2025 (Home and kitchen goods: 1 Jan 2025; Cosmetics and personal care: 1 Jan 2025), and this doesn't mean it's allowed.

Maryland (US state)
Banned

For Cosmetics and personal care: Banned. In force, start date unknown.

“(3) Formaldehyde (CAS no. 50–00–0);”
21-259.2(b)(3) · fetched 2026-10-09Maryland General Assembly (mgaleg): Md. Code, Health-General 21-259.2(opens in a new tab)
Maine (US state)
No known rule

We have no rule for it here. Our coverage starts 1 Jan 2025 (Home and kitchen goods: 1 Jan 2025; Cosmetics and personal care: 1 Jan 2025), and this doesn't mean it's allowed.

Minnesota (US state)
No known rule

We have no rule for it here. Our coverage starts 1 Jan 2025 (Home and kitchen goods: 1 Jan 2025; Cosmetics and personal care: 1 Jan 2025), and this doesn't mean it's allowed.

New Hampshire (US state)
No known rule

We have no rule for it here. Our coverage starts 1 Jan 2025, and this doesn't mean it's allowed.

New Jersey (US state)
No known rule

We have no rule for it here. Our coverage starts 1 Jan 2025 (Home and kitchen goods: 1 Jan 2025; Cosmetics and personal care: 1 Jan 2025), and this doesn't mean it's allowed.

New Mexico (US state)
No known rule

We have no rule for it here. Our coverage starts 1 Jan 2025, and this doesn't mean it's allowed.

New York (US state)
No known rule

We have no rule for it here. Our coverage starts 1 Jan 2025 (Home and kitchen goods: 1 Jan 2025; Cosmetics and personal care: 1 Jan 2025; Batteries, e-bikes and power banks: 16 Sep 2023), and this doesn't mean it's allowed.

Oregon (US state)
No known rule

We have no rule for it here. Our coverage starts 1 Jan 2025 (Home and kitchen goods: 1 Jan 2025; Cosmetics and personal care: not covered; Consumer electronics and small appliances: 1 Jan 2025), and this doesn't mean it's allowed.

Rhode Island (US state)
No known rule

We have no rule for it here. Our coverage starts 1 Jan 2025, and this doesn't mean it's allowed.

Vermont (US state)
Banned

For Cosmetics and personal care: Banned. In force since 1 Jan 2026.

“(3) formaldehyde (CAS 50-00-0);”
2494b(a)(3) · fetched 2026-10-08Vermont Legislature / Attorney General: 9 V.S.A. 2494a-2494c (2024 Act 131 Sec. 1-2)(opens in a new tab)
Washington (US state)
Banned

For Cosmetics and personal care: Banned. In force since 1 Jan 2025.

“(c) Formaldehyde (CAS 50-00-0) and chemicals determined by the department to release formaldehyde;”
70A.560.020(1)(c) · fetched 2026-10-09Washington State Legislature (Code Reviser): RCW 70A.560(opens in a new tab)
European Union
Banned

For Furniture: Limit 0.062 mg/m³ (emission basis). In force since 7 Aug 2026.

“after 6 August 2026, if, under the test conditions specified in Appendix 14, the concentration of formaldehyde released from those articles exceeds: (a) 0,062 mg/m3 for furniture and wood-based articles; (b) 0,080 mg/m3 for articles other than furniture and wood-based articles.”
Annex XVII entry 77 para 1 (excerpt) · fetched 2026-10-08ECHA / European Commission: Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006, Annex XVII(opens in a new tab)

For Home and kitchen goods: Limit 0.08 mg/m³ (emission basis). In force since 7 Aug 2026.

“after 6 August 2026, if, under the test conditions specified in Appendix 14, the concentration of formaldehyde released from those articles exceeds: (a) 0,062 mg/m3 for furniture and wood-based articles; (b) 0,080 mg/m3 for articles other than furniture and wood-based articles.”
Annex XVII entry 77 para 1 (excerpt) · fetched 2026-10-08ECHA / European Commission: Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006, Annex XVII(opens in a new tab)

Limit 75 mg/kg (content basis). In force since 2 Nov 2020.

“Formaldehyde 605-001-00-5 50-00-0 200-001-8 75 mg/kg”
Annex XVII entry 72 Appendix 12 (formaldehyde) (excerpt) · fetched 2026-10-08ECHA / European Commission: Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006, Annex XVII(opens in a new tab)

For Kitchen and Tableware and drinkware, except Kitchen textiles: Limit 15 mg/kg (migration basis). In force since 1 May 2011.

Group restriction No
15
FCM substance Nos
98, 196, 344
Total specific migration limit (mg/kg food)
15
Specification
expressed as formaldehyde

Annex I Table 1 FCM 98 / Table 2 group restriction 15 (formaldehyde) · fetched 2026-10-08

European Commission / EUR-Lex: Regulation (EU) No 10/2011(opens in a new tab)
Show 1 more rule for this market

For Cosmetics and personal care: Banned. In force, start date unknown.

From the consolidated text: Formaldehyde · 50-00-0 · 200-001-8

Annex II entry 1577 · fetched 2026-10-09

European Commission / Publications Office (CELLAR): Reg. (EC) 1223/2009 Annexes II-VI(opens in a new tab)
Great Britain (England, Scotland, Wales)
Banned

For Cosmetics and personal care: Banned. In force, start date unknown.

From the official list: Formaldehyde · 50-00-0 · 200-001-8

Annex II entry 1577 · fetched 2026-10-10

The National Archives (legislation.gov.uk): Reg. (EC) 1223/2009 (retained) Annexes II-VI(opens in a new tab)
Japan
No known rule

We have no rule for it here. Our coverage starts 1 Jan 2025 (Home and kitchen goods: 1 Jan 2025; Cosmetics and personal care: 12 Jul 2024; Packaged food and beverages: 1 Apr 2026; Consumer electronics and small appliances: 3 Sep 2026; Batteries, e-bikes and power banks: 1 Sep 2026), and this doesn't mean it's allowed.

South Korea
Banned

For Cosmetics and personal care: Banned. In force under the consolidated notice effective 18 Mar 2026; earlier versions are not in our data.

From the official list: 포름알데하이드 및 p-포름알데하이드 · 50-00-0 · 포름알데하이드

Schedule 1 포름알데하이드 및 p-포름알데하이드 · fetched 2026-10-09

Ministry of Food and Drug Safety / National Law Information Center (law.go.kr): 화장품 안전기준 등에 관한 규정 별표 1, 별표 2, 제6조(opens in a new tab)

For Cosmetics and personal care: Limit 2000 µg/g (content basis). In force under the consolidated notice effective 18 Mar 2026; earlier versions are not in our data.

“9. 포름알데하이드 : 2000㎍/g이하, 물휴지는 20㎍/g이하”
Article 6(2)9. · fetched 2026-10-09Ministry of Food and Drug Safety / National Law Information Center (law.go.kr): 화장품 안전기준 등에 관한 규정 별표 1, 별표 2, 제6조(opens in a new tab)

For Cosmetics and personal care: Limit 20 µg/g (content basis). In force under the consolidated notice effective 18 Mar 2026; earlier versions are not in our data.

Applies to wet wipes (물휴지); wet wipes are not a separate product type here.

“9. 포름알데하이드 : 2000㎍/g이하, 물휴지는 20㎍/g이하”
Article 6(2)9. · fetched 2026-10-09Ministry of Food and Drug Safety / National Law Information Center (law.go.kr): 화장품 안전기준 등에 관한 규정 별표 1, 별표 2, 제6조(opens in a new tab)

For Kitchen and Tableware and drinkware: Limit 4 mg/L (migration basis). In force under the consolidated notice effective 27 Mar 2026; earlier versions are not in our data.

“페놀 5 이하 포름알데히드 4 이하 멜라민 2.5 이하”
Ⅴ. 1. 1-6 가. 2) 용출규격 · fetched 2026-10-08Ministry of Food and Drug Safety / National Law Information Center: 식품의약품안전처 고시 제2026-24호 (2026-03-27), 식품위생법 제9조제1항(opens in a new tab)
Show 2 more rules for this market

For Kitchen and Tableware and drinkware: Limit 4 mg/L (migration basis). In force under the consolidated notice effective 27 Mar 2026; earlier versions are not in our data.

“납 1 이하 포름알데히드 4 이하 형광증백제 불검출”
Ⅴ. 4. 다. 용출규격 · fetched 2026-10-08Ministry of Food and Drug Safety / National Law Information Center: 식품의약품안전처 고시 제2026-24호 (2026-03-27), 식품위생법 제9조제1항(opens in a new tab)

For Kitchen and Tableware and drinkware: Limit 4 mg/L (migration basis). In force under the consolidated notice effective 27 Mar 2026; earlier versions are not in our data.

“포름알데히드 이하 4”
Ⅴ. 3. 다. 용출규격 · fetched 2026-10-08Ministry of Food and Drug Safety / National Law Information Center: 식품의약품안전처 고시 제2026-24호 (2026-03-27), 식품위생법 제9조제1항(opens in a new tab)

California

Prop 65 listing

California's list of chemicals known to cause cancer or reproductive harm.

Listing
Listed 1988-01-01 (cancer). Grace period: "Proposition 65 warning requirements do not apply until 12 months after the chemical has been listed" (Appendix A); listing date plus 12 months.
Warning applies from
1 Jan 1989
Requirement
Warning required when exposure exceeds the threshold (NSRL (µg/day): 40)
Warning wording
This product can expose you to Formaldehyde (gas), which is known to the State of California to cause cancer. For more information go to www.P65Warnings.ca.gov.
Chemical
Formaldehyde (gas)
Type of toxicity
cancer
Listed by
the State's Qualified Experts (SQE)
CAS No.
50-00-0
Date listed
1 Jan 1988
NSRL or MADL (µg/day)
40

Prop 65 list row: Formaldehyde (gas) · fetched 2026-10-08

California OEHHA: 27 CCR 27001(opens in a new tab)

Groups

Group memberships

Groups that name this substance. Markets define groups like PFAS in different ways.

  • Banned cosmetic ingredients from 2025 in California (US state): The 12 numbered ingredient groups of Health and Safety Code 108980(a) (phthalates DBP and DEHP, formaldehyde, paraformaldehyde, methylene glycol, quaternium-15, mercury, isobutylparaben, isopropylparaben, m- and o-phenylenediamine and their salts, and 13 listed PFAS and their salts) when intentionally added to a cosmetic product. The statute prints CAS 355-76-2 for nonadecafluorodecanoic acid (HSC 108980(a)(12)(H)); that number fails the CAS check digit, so the registry number 335-76-2 is listed as well (deliberate addition).

    “a person or entity shall not manufacture, sell, deliver, hold, or offer for sale in commerce any cosmetic product that contains any of the following intentionally added ingredients:”
    HSC 108980(a) (excerpt) · fetched 2026-10-08California Legislature: HSC 108980(a)(opens in a new tab)

  • Banned chemicals in cosmetics and menstrual products in Vermont (US state): The chemicals of 9 V.S.A. 2494b(a)(3)-(14) when intentionally added to a cosmetic or menstrual product in any amount: formaldehyde, methylene glycol, mercury and compounds, 1,4-dioxane, isopropylparaben, isobutylparaben, lead and compounds, asbestos, triclosan, m-phenylenediamine and salts (the statute prints CAS 108-42-5; the usual CAS 108-45-2 is also listed), o-phenylenediamine and salts, quaternium-15.

    “any cosmetic or menstrual product to which the following chemicals or chemical classes have been intentionally added in any amount:”
    9 V.S.A. 2494b(a) (excerpt) · fetched 2026-10-08Vermont Legislature / Attorney General: 9 V.S.A. 2494b(a)(opens in a new tab)

  • Banned cosmetic ingredients in Maryland (US state): The 12 numbered ingredients of Md. Health-General 21-259.2(b): DBP, DEHP, formaldehyde, paraformaldehyde, methylene glycol, quaternium-15, mercury, isobutylparaben, isopropylparaben, m- and o-phenylenediamine and salts, and 13 listed PFAS and salts, when intentionally added. The statute prints CAS 335-76-2 for nonadecafluorodecanoic acid (21-259.2(b)(12)(viii)); the group uses that number as printed (the California text prints 355-76-2 for the same substance).

    “a person may not knowingly manufacture, sell, deliver, hold, or offer for sale in the State a cosmetic product that contains any of the following intentionally added ingredients:”
    Health-General 21-259.2(b) (excerpt) · fetched 2026-10-09Maryland General Assembly (mgaleg): Health-General 21-259.2(b)(opens in a new tab)

  • Formaldehyde and hexamethylenetetramine (sum) in European Union: Group restriction No 15 in Annex I Table 2: substances FCM 98 (formaldehyde), 196 (hexamethylenetetramine) and 344 (1,4-butanediol formal) with SML(T) 15 mg/kg expressed as formaldehyde

    FCM substance Nos
    15, 98, 196, 344
    Total specific migration limit (mg/kg food)
    15
    Specification
    expressed as formaldehyde

    Annex I Table 2 group 15 · fetched 2026-10-08

    European Commission / EUR-Lex: Annex I Table 2 group 15(opens in a new tab)

  • Prohibited chemicals in cosmetics in Washington (US state): Intentionally added chemicals in RCW 70A.560.020(1)(c)-(h): formaldehyde, methylene glycol, mercury, triclosan, m- and o-phenylenediamine

    “(c) Formaldehyde (CAS 50-00-0) and chemicals determined by the department to release formaldehyde; (d) Methylene glycol (CAS 463-57-0); (e) Mercury and mercury compounds (CAS 7439-97-6); (f) Triclosan (CAS 3380-34-5); (g) m-phenylenediamine and its salts (CAS 108-45-2); and (h) o-phenylenediamine and its salts (CAS 95-54-5).”
    RCW 70A.560.020(1) · fetched 2026-10-09Washington State Legislature (Code Reviser): RCW 70A.560.020(1)(opens in a new tab)

Records

Recalls and alerts

Recalls, safety alerts and Prop 65 notices that name Formaldehyde, with a link to the original. A Prop 65 notice is a claim by the sender, not a ruling.

No records in our feeds

No Prop 65 notice, EU Safety Gate alert or CPSC recall has named Formaldehyde since January 2023. Other agencies may still have acted.

See all recalls and alerts

See also

Related

Alerts

Get an email when these rules change.

Check a product free, no account needed. Save it, and you see when a rule that affects it changes, and Team emails you the day it does.

Check a productStart a workspace

Free for 10 products. Email alerts from $39 a month. See pricing