Ingredient Index

Is Cocamide DEA banned in Europe?

Restricted in EU

No: cocamide DEA is restricted, not banned, in the EU. It is allowed under Annex III with strict nitrosamine and purity limits, unlike plain DEA, which is banned. The US permits it, and California lists it under Prop 65.

CAS: 68603-42-9 Also seen as: Cocamide diethanolamine, Coconut oil acid DEA, CDEA

What the EU does

Restricted, not banned. Cocamide DEA is a coconut-derived foaming and thickening agent. It sits on Annex III of the EU Cosmetics Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009, the list of substances allowed only under conditions. The rules target nitrosamine risk: the finished product must keep secondary amine content low, the ingredient must not be used alongside nitrosating agents, nitrosamine content is capped (on the order of 50 micrograms per kilogram), and it must be stored in nitrite-free containers.

This is the key distinction people miss. Plain diethanolamine (DEA) is banned outright in the EU (Annex II), but its fatty-acid derivative cocamide DEA is not. It is permitted with guardrails. The reason is the same underlying chemistry, nitrosamine formation, handled with limits here rather than a flat prohibition, because the derivative can be manufactured and used to keep those byproducts to trace levels.

Citation Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009, Annex III (fatty acid dialkanolamides, nitrosamine limits); SCCS assessment

What the US does

Permitted, with a state-level asterisk. There is no US federal ban on cocamide DEA. It is widely used in shampoos, cleansers, and bubble baths as a foam booster and thickener. The notable US wrinkle is California: in 2012, cocamide DEA was added to the Proposition 65 list of chemicals known to the state to cause cancer, which triggered warning requirements and some reformulation for products sold there.

So the honest picture is a restriction gradient, not a ban. The EU allows cocamide DEA under tight nitrosamine controls, the US allows it with California's Prop 65 warning as the main friction, and plain DEA is the one that is actually banned in Europe. If a label lists cocamide DEA, it has not necessarily broken any European rule; it simply has to meet the purity conditions.

Citation FDA: DEA-related cosmetic ingredients; California Proposition 65 listing of cocamide DEA (2012)

Products that commonly contain it

Cocamide DEA is a lather-and-thickness workhorse in cleansing products. Look for it in:

Shampoos and 2-in-1 hair washes
Bubble baths and shower gels
Liquid hand soaps and facial cleansers
Some dishwashing and household cleaners

What to look for on a label

Names and neighbors to know:

"Cocamide DEA" or "cocamide diethanolamine" on the INCI list
It is distinct from plain "DEA" (diethanolamine), which is EU-banned
Relatives include cocamide MEA and lauramide DEA, each with their own status
A California-market product containing it may carry a Prop 65 cancer warning

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Frequently asked questions

Is cocamide DEA banned in Europe?

No. It is restricted, not banned. It is allowed under Annex III of Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009 with nitrosamine and purity limits. Plain DEA is the one banned outright.

What is the difference between DEA and cocamide DEA?

DEA (diethanolamine) is the small parent amine, banned in EU cosmetics. Cocamide DEA is its coconut-fatty-acid derivative, permitted in the EU under strict nitrosamine controls.

Is cocamide DEA legal in the US?

Yes, with no federal ban. California added it to the Proposition 65 list in 2012, which triggers warning labels and some reformulation for products sold there.

Why is cocamide DEA restricted?

Like other DEA-family ingredients, it can contribute to nitrosamine formation. The EU caps nitrosamine content and bars use with nitrosating agents rather than banning it.

Related ingredients

Primary sources

Last reviewed July 6, 2026 · How we assign statuses