On 2 September 2026, ECHA (the European Chemicals Agency) announced Austria’s intention to introduce an amendment to the harmonised classification and labelling (CLH) for decanoic acid.
Decanoic acid (CAS No.334-48-5, EC No.206-376-4, INCI: Capric Acid) is an ingredient listed in Cosing, with the functions: Cleansing, Surfactant - Emulsifiying, Fragrance, Surfactant - Cleansing - Perfuming.
It is not currently regulated by the European Cosmetics Regulation 1223/2009.
It is listed in Annex VI/607-709-00-X of the European CLP Regulation 1272/2008, with the following classifications:
• Skin Irrit. 2, H315 - Causes skin irritation.
• Eye Irrit. 2, H319 - Causes serious eye irritation.
• Aquatic Chronic 3, H412 - Harmful to aquatic life with long lasting effects.
Austria intends to propose a change to the classification of eye hazards, which would result in: • Skin Irrit. 2, H315 - Causes skin irritation.
• Eye Dam. 1, H318 - Causes serious eye damage.
• Aquatic Chronic 3, H412 - Harmful to aquatic life with long lasting effects.
Sources
• ECHA Weekly - Classification, labelling and packaging - New intention to harmonise classification and labelling, ECHA, 2 September 2026
• Registry of CLH intentions until outcome - Decanoic acid, ECHA, 1 September 2026
