Triclocarban [N-(4-chlorophenyl)-N'-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-urea] - 101-20-2

Key Functions: Cosmetics & Personal Care, Pesticides & Biocides

Triclocarban (TCC) or 3,4,4'-trichlorocarbanilide, is a substance with anti-bacterial and antifungal properties that is used globally in a wide range of personal cleansing products (ChemIDplus 2014). Triclocarban has been marketed for more than 45 years around the world, and is used in bar and liquid soaps, detergents, body washes and wipes (SDA 2002a). Triclocarban is allowed for use as a preservative at levels up to 0.2% in cosmetic products in the European Union. However, it can be used at higher concentrations in cosmetics for use as a non-preservative (provided data to substantiate its safety are submitted to SCCP) and a safe level of 1.5% was approved for cosmetic rinse-off hand and body care products by the EU (SCCP 2005). Based on the results of a Soap and Detergent Association Use and Exposure Survey (SDA 2002b), bar soaps contain levels of triclocarban which range from 0.5 to 5% in the final formulation, liquid soaps contain triclocarban at levels ranging from 1 to 5% and body washes may contain from 0.1 – 0.5% in the final formulation. ToxServices assessed triclocarban against GreenScreen® Version 1.2 (CPA 2013) following procedures outlined in ToxServices’ SOP 1.37 (GreenScreen® Hazard Assessment) (ToxServices 2013).

Chemical Synonyms 3,4,4'-Trichlorocarbanilide; N-(4-Chlorophenyl)-N'-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)urea; TCC;1-(3',4'-Dichlorophenyl)-3-(4'-chlorophenyl)urea; Carbanilide, 3,4,4'-trichloro-; Cusiter; Cutisan; Genoface (ChemIDplus 2014).

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