Preservatives
Quaternium-15
Banned in European Union and United Kingdom; its status in Nigeria is not confirmed.
Why it matters
It releases formaldehyde, causes contact allergy, and the EU banned it under its CMR (carcinogen) rules.
What to look for on the label
Quaternium-15.
Country by country
Around the worldBanned in European Union and United Kingdom; its status in Nigeria is not confirmed.
Why: It releases formaldehyde, causes contact allergy, and the EU banned it under its CMR (carcinogen) rules.
| Place | Status |
|---|---|
| Nigeria | not confirmed |
| European Union | bannedAnnex II/1385-1386 (cis-CTAC); Annex V/31 deleted (Reg 2019/831). |
| United Kingdom | bannedAnnex II/1385-1386 under Reg 2019/831 as kept in UK law. |
| United States | no specific ruleNot on FDA prohibited/restricted ingredients list. |
| Canada | no specific ruleNot found on Hotlist prohibited (A-T) or restricted tables. |
Sources: EU Reg 2019/831 (Publications Office) · legislation.gov.uk Reg 2019/831 (UK version) · FDA Prohibited & Restricted Ingredients · Health Canada Hotlist. Checked 2026-10-19; rules change, so check the regulator before relying on it.
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Paste the ingredient list, scan the barcode or read it from a photo. The check flags quaternium-15 and anything else worth knowing.
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Education, not legal advice. Rules change: check with your country's regulator before relying on this.