Registration Dossier

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Please be aware that this old REACH registration data factsheet is no longer maintained; it remains frozen as of 19th May 2023.

The new ECHA CHEM database has been released by ECHA, and it now contains all REACH registration data. There are more details on the transition of ECHA's published data to ECHA CHEM here.

Diss Factsheets

Administrative data

Description of key information

Key value for chemical safety assessment

Skin sensitisation

Endpoint conclusion
Endpoint conclusion:
no adverse effect observed (not sensitising)
Additional information:

The sensitising potential of TEA was investigated in a Guinea Pig Maximisation Test according to OECD TG 406 under GLP conditions. Based on the results of a pre-test, animals were dermally injected 1% TEA on day 1, followed day 7 by an epicutaneous induction (occlusive) with 0.3 - 0.5 mL undiluted TEA for 48 hours, and a dermal challenge (occlusive) with 75 and 50% TEA for 24 hours on day 21. Dermal reactions were evaluated according to Draize 24 and 48 hours after the start of the dermal challenge. No clinical signs were noticed. One animal out of 10 showed a skin reaction. Triethanolamine was concluded to be a weak sensitiser.

Regarding the available human data, the positive reactions interpreted as allergic seem to be caused by exposure to TEA in cosmetics and/or topical therapeutic preparations possibly on damaged skin. The diagnosis of TEA contact sensitisation should therefore not be based on a positive patch test reaction alone but on a combination of history and – preferably – validation tests.

The negative experimental findings in animals and the level of exposure to TEA in the population, together with the low frequency of positive reactions to low TEA concentrations in patch-tested patients indicate a very low sensitisation potential in humans, and the risk of sensitisation to TEA on uncompromised skin seems to be very low (Lessmann, 2009).

Migrated from Short description of key information:

For the major constituent, triethanolamine, no sensitisation potential was reported in guinea pigs upon dermal sensitisation and challenge. Although allergic reactions to TEA have been reported, the substance is judged to have a very low sensitisation potential.

Justification for classification or non-classification

Based on the available data, the substance does not need to be classified according to Directive 67/548/EEC and according to the EU Classification, Labelling and Packaging of Substances and Mixtures (CLP) Regulation (EC) No. 1272/2008.