HC BLUE NO. 2
HC BLUE NO. 2 is permitted in cosmetics in the EU with restrictions — Annex III, entry 247 of Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009. Review the conditions of use, permitted concentration and Safety Gate alerts.
Regulatory status as of 2026-08-28 (per the CosIng database).
About the ingredient
2,2'-[[4-[(2-Hydroxyethyl)amino]-3-nitrophenyl]imino]bisethanol
EU regulatory status
Annex of Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009: III/247
Source: the European Commission's official CosIng database and Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council on cosmetic products. How we assess ingredients — full methodology.
- View the entry in the CosIng database (European Commission)
- Open Regulation 1223/2009 in EUR-Lex
- Check the chemical profile in PubChem
Last updated:
Functions in cosmetics
Frequently asked questions
Is HC BLUE NO. 2 safe in cosmetics?
HC BLUE NO. 2 is permitted in cosmetics in the EU, but subject to the conditions set out in Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009 — typically a maximum concentration, product category or a mandatory warning on the packaging. Manufacturers must comply with these limits.
In which annex of Regulation 1223/2009 is HC BLUE NO. 2 listed?
HC BLUE NO. 2 is listed under reference III/247 in the annexes of Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009 on cosmetic products. The first part (Roman numeral) indicates the annex: II – prohibited substances, III – substances restricted by conditions, IV – permitted colorants, V – permitted preservatives, VI – permitted UV filters.
What functions does HC BLUE NO. 2 perform in cosmetics?
According to the European Commission's CosIng database, HC BLUE NO. 2 performs the following functions in cosmetics: HAIR DYEING. Functions are defined in the CosIng glossary and describe the technological role of a substance in the finished product.
Are there Safety Gate alerts concerning HC BLUE NO. 2?
Our copy of the EU Safety Gate database currently contains no alerts linking HC BLUE NO. 2 to a cosmetic recall. The database is refreshed regularly from the European Commission's official Safety Gate system.