Benzalkonium Chloride

(in 586 products)

1. Antimicrobial Preservative - Actively kills and inhibits the growth of unwanted microorganisms which may be harmful.

2. Antiseptic / Disinfectant - Prevents growth of unwanted microorganisms.

3. Antistatic Agent - Reduces or eliminates the build up of static electricity.

4. Surfactant - Reduces the surface tension to allow mixtures to be formed evenly. Emulsifier is a specific type of surfactant which allows two liquids to mix together evenly

Benzalkonium chloride is a type of cationic surfactant which is commonly used in detergents and antiseptics. It is often mixed with other ingredients such as ethanol or acetone for stability. In industry, it is commonly sold in concentrations ranging from 50-80%, stylized as (BC/BAC50 or BC/BAC80).

This ingredient has been designated by the Singaporean Government to be effective against coronaviruses. "As the COVID-19 virus is new, no study has been published on the virus. This assessment is thus based on published scientific studies on coronaviruses, a group to which the COVID-19 virus would belong."

A minimum concentration of 0.05% is sufficient to be effective against coronaviruses.

1. Singapore Interim List of Household Products and Active Ingredients for Disinfection of COVID-19 (Coronavirus Disease 2019) [Revised: 13 November 2020]

- Benzalkonium chloride, minimum concentration: 0.05%

2. South Korea - Ministry of Food and Drug Safety - Prohibited/Restricted Chemicals

- Ref: 471

3. CANADA INGREDIENT HOTLIST, List of Ingredients that are Restricted for Use in Cosmetic Products [2019]

- Alkyl(C12-C18)benzyldimethylammonium chloride;

- Alkyl(C12-16)dimethylbenzylammonium chloride

4. EU CosIng Annex III, SUBSTANCES WITH RESTRICTIONS IN COSMETIC PRODUCTS [2018]

- Ref: III/65

5. Japan - Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare - Restricted Ingredients

- Benzalkonium chloride

6. FDA Unapproved

- 82 FR 60474

7. EU CosIng Annex V, PRESERVATIVES ALLOWED IN COSMETIC PRODUCTS [2017]

- Ref: V/54