Diethylene glycol is a low-toxic chemical substance. After entering the human body, it is rapidly metabolized and excreted without obvious accumulation. So far, no evidence of carcinogenic, teratogenic or mutagenic effects has been found. However, large-dose intake can damage the kidneys. . This raw material is a banned substance in China, but it may be inevitably produced or brought in as a safety risk substance during the raw materials, packaging materials, production, transportation and storage of cosmetics. Therefore, the detection of diethylene glycol in cosmetics has always been A relatively important test item.
But so far, there is no complete, accurate and independent detection method. Generally, refer to the “Physical and Chemical Test Method 2.20 Diethylene Glycol” in the “Safety Technical Specifications for Cosmetics” (2015 Edition), which is suitable for propylene glycol in cosmetic raw materials. Determination of diethylene glycol content. For the presence of diethylene glycol in other raw materials, the test results are not accurate. Or refer to the “GB/T 21842-2008 Determination of diethylene glycol in toothpaste” method implemented on December 1, 2008, to conduct verification tests on diethylene glycol in cleaning cosmetics, care cosmetics, and beauty/modification cosmetics. The experimental results show that this standard method can be used for the determination of diethylene glycol in cosmetics.
The new recommended industry standard “QB/T 5411-2019 Determination of the banned substance diethylene glycol in cosmetics by gas chromatography” was released on December 2, 2019, and will be implemented on April 1, 2020.
This standard specifies the gas chromatography-hydrogen flame ion detector determination method of diethylene glycol, a banned substance in cosmetics, and is suitable for the determination of diethylene glycol in creams, water preparations, lotions, and gel cosmetics. The detection limit and quantification limit of this standard: the detection limit of diethylene glycol in gels and liquids is 200 mg/kg, and the quantification limit is 500 mg/kg. The detection limit of diethylene glycol in cream and lotion samples is The output limit is mg/kg, and the limit of quantitation is 600 mg/kg.
Restrictions on diethylene glycol in domestic and foreign regulations and standards
(1) my country’s restrictions on diethylene glycol
The national standard “GB 22115-2008 Specification for Raw Materials for Toothpaste” stipulates that diethylene glycol shall not be intentionally added to toothpaste products, and stipulates that the sum of diethylene glycol and ethylene glycol introduced as impurities in toothpaste should be ≤0.1 %.
The national standard “GB 22114-2008 Moisturizing Agents for Toothpaste: Glycerin and Polyethylene Glycol” stipulates that the content of diethylene glycol and related compounds in glycerol for toothpaste should be ≤1.0% (referring to the total content of diethylene glycol and related impurities, other The content of single impurities is ≤0.1% respectively).
The 2010 edition of “Chinese Pharmacopoeia” (Part 2) stipulates that diethylene glycol in glycerol should be ≤0.025%.
On July 11, 2007, the General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine issued the “Announcement on Prohibiting the Use of Diethylene Glycol as a Raw Material for Toothpaste”, which stipulated that toothpaste manufacturers shall not use diethylene glycol as a raw material.
(2) Foreign restrictions on diethylene glycol
On June 4, 2008, the EU Scientific Committee on Consumer Products SCCP (Scientific Committee on Consumer Products) issued a review opinion on diethylene glycol. Regarding the impurities of glycerol and polyethylene glycol in the final cosmetic products, , the highest concentration is 0.1% diethylene glycol, which is considered safe. The European Union revised the “EU Cosmetics Regulation 76/768/EEC” on February 4, 2009. In the notice (COMMISSION DIRECTIVE Official Journal of the European Union 2009/6/EC), the use of diethylene glycol as a raw material in cosmetics is prohibited. It also stipulates that as an impurity in raw materials, the content of diethylene glycol in the final cosmetic product should be ≤0.1%.
The “Ministry of Medicine’s Quasidrug Ingredients Specifications 2006” (Japan) stipulates that the content of diethylene glycol and similar substances in glycerin should be less than 0.1%.
“European Pharmacopoeia 5.0” stipulates that diethylene glycol should be ≤0.1% in glycerin.
“United States Pharmacopeia USP30-NF25” stipulates that diethylene glycol in glycerol should be ≤0.1% thickener.
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) stipulates that the content of diethylene glycol in finished toothpaste and mouthwash products should be ≤0.25%.
