POTASSIUM METABISULFITE
POTASSIUM METABISULFITE is permitted in cosmetics in the EU with restrictions — Annex III, entry 99 of Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009. Review the conditions of use, permitted concentration and Safety Gate alerts.
Regulatory data checked on 2026-09-05. The legal status follows Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009 and its annexes; the substance is identified from the European Commission's CosIng database.
About the ingredient
Dipotassium disulphite
EU regulatory status
Annex of Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009: III/99
What entry III/99 of the Regulation says
Inorganic sulfites and bisulfites (12)
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 POTASSIUM METABISULFITE safe in cosmetics?
POTASSIUM METABISULFITE 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 does POTASSIUM METABISULFITE fall?
POTASSIUM METABISULFITE falls under reference III/99 in the annexes of Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009 on cosmetic products. An annex entry may name a substance directly or cover it as part of a broader category. 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 POTASSIUM METABISULFITE perform in cosmetics?
According to the European Commission's CosIng database, POTASSIUM METABISULFITE performs the following functions in cosmetics: HAIR WAVING OR STRAIGHTENING, PRESERVATIVE, REDUCING. 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 POTASSIUM METABISULFITE?
Our copy of the EU Safety Gate database currently contains no alerts linking POTASSIUM METABISULFITE to a cosmetic recall. The database is refreshed regularly from the European Commission's official Safety Gate system.