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Triclosan

Triclosan suppliers and sourcing guide

Triclosan is a chlorinated diphenyl ether, an off-white crystalline powder with low water solubility, made synthetically from chlorinated phenols. It is sold for use as a preservative and antimicrobial agent in some cosmetics and oral care products, subject to tight regulatory limits that differ widely by country. Buyers need impurity data on dioxins and furans and should check the current status in each market before formulating.

See suppliersWhat to ask for on the COA
Also known as
5-Chloro-2-(2,4-dichlorophenoxy)phenol · CAS 3380-34-5
Facts checked
November 2026

Forms and grades of triclosan

Suppliers sell different products under the same name. Specify the one you need.

  • Powder

    Crystalline triclosan, usually high purity, dissolved in surfactant, glycol or alcohol phases.

  • Solutions

    Pre-dissolved triclosan in a glycol or solvent for easier handling.

  • Oral-care grade

    Grades supplied with the dioxin and furan impurity data that oral products need in Canada.

What to check on the COA

Compare each result with your own specification when the lot arrives.

Assay
Triclosan content by HPLC or GC.
Dioxin and furan impurities
Polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans by high-resolution GC-MS, reported against the limits buyers must meet.
Related phenols
Chlorinated phenol impurities by GC or HPLC.
Melting range
Melting range as an identity and purity check.
Heavy metals and water
Metals by ICP-MS and water by Karl Fischer.

Storage, lots and expiry

Storage and shelf life

Store triclosan in closed containers in a cool, dry place out of light. Handle with dust control, and keep it out of drains because it is toxic to aquatic life. Shelf life and retest dates follow the supplier's specification.

Lots and expiry dates

Keep each lot's dioxin and furan results and the method used on file, since some regulators require them. Record assay per lot and confirm the current regulatory status in each market before each production run.

Regulatory status

Facts from regulators and standards bodies, each linked to its source.

  • 21 CFR 310.545 lists triclosan among ingredients with inadequate data to establish general recognition of safety and effectiveness in OTC consumer antiseptic hand wash and body wash products, as of September 6, 2017.

    Source: ecfr.gov (opens in a new tab)

  • Health Canada's Cosmetic Ingredient Hotlist restricts triclosan (CAS 3380-34-5) to 0.03% in mouthwashes and 0.3% in other cosmetics, and requires raw material specifications and dioxin and furan impurity controls for oral products.

    Source: canada.ca (opens in a new tab)

This is general information, not regulatory advice. Status differs by country and by how the ingredient is used, so check the rules for your product and market.

Triclosan suppliers

Manufacturers and distributors whose own websites say they sell it.

We are checking triclosan suppliers now

Every listing is checked against the supplier’s own website before it goes live, so this list fills in over the coming weeks. The specs and COA checklist above are ready today.

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Frequently asked questions

What forms of triclosan can brands buy?

Common forms include powder, solutions and oral-care grade. Ask each supplier for the specification sheet of the exact grade they quote.

What should the COA for triclosan include?

Expect assay, dioxin and furan impurities, related phenols, melting range and heavy metals and water, each with its method, specification and result for that lot.

How should triclosan be stored?

Store triclosan in closed containers in a cool, dry place out of light. Handle with dust control, and keep it out of drains because it is toxic to aquatic life. Shelf life and retest dates follow the supplier's specification.

What is the regulatory status of triclosan?

21 CFR 310.545 lists triclosan among ingredients with inadequate data to establish general recognition of safety and effectiveness in OTC consumer antiseptic hand wash and body wash products, as of September 6, 2017. Health Canada's Cosmetic Ingredient Hotlist restricts triclosan (CAS 3380-34-5) to 0.03% in mouthwashes and 0.3% in other cosmetics, and requires raw material specifications and dioxin and furan impurity controls for oral products.

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