Phenoxyethanol BP EP USP Pharma Grade stands out as a glycol ether often used for its stability and versatility. This chemical, known by its molecular formula C8H10O2, carries a molar mass of 138.17 g/mol. Its structure features an aromatic ring joined to an ethylene glycol chain, pairing solubility in organic solvents with practical antibacterial action. In applications, I have encountered it most in pharmaceutical preservation, where its safety margin and performance push it ahead of competitors, and also in specialized chemical synthesis where ingredient purity sets the foundation for reliable results. HS Code allocation for Phenoxyethanol falls under 29094900, a marker anyone sourcing raw materials in bulk learns to memorize.
Pharmaceutical companies employ Phenoxyethanol BP EP USP equally for otics, injectable medicines, and topical creams due to its broad-spectrum action against bacteria and fungi. Outside injection formulations, it exists almost as a household baseline — present in lotions, creams, and antiseptic liquids where it extends shelf life by keeping microbes at bay. I have opened ingredient lists on dozens of sterile ointments and found phenoxyethanol running as a staple, valued for not reacting aggressively with APIs or excipients and for blending seamlessly at recommended concentrations.
Phenoxyethanol takes the form of a colorless, nearly odorless oily liquid at room temperature, with a density ranging between 1.101 and 1.103 g/cm3. Its boiling point hovers near 247°C and it barely registers any melting point since it's rarely solid at common storage temperatures; only at subzero chilling does it present a waxy or crystalline state. Shelf stock sometimes appears as flakes, pearls, or powders for labs, but formulation rooms usually deal with it as a liquid dispensed by the liter. Water solubility remains moderate, but its solubility climbs in ethanol and ether, which influences packaging and handling. Direct experience tells me that, compared to many pharmaceutical solvents, phenoxyethanol resists rapid evaporation and shows less stickiness on contact surfaces — a subtle detail, perhaps, but one that impacts daily work with precision measurement.
Reputable batches of BP EP USP Pharma Grade should meet pharmaceutical standards with a purity close to 99.0%, holding residual impurities well below regulatory thresholds. Standard tests include checks for refractive index (1.535–1.538 at 20°C), acidity, heavy metals (max 10 ppm), and related substances, which get detailed scrutiny during every incoming raw material release. Genuine material certification must report these values; from experience, skipping assay validation leads to product recalls and regulatory trouble. Viscosity at 25°C measures roughly 22 mPa.s, influencing how it dispenses in manufacturing lines and how much energy mixes the product.
In occupational health sessions, phenoxyethanol gets attention because, despite moderate toxicity, mishandling can cause effects: eye and skin irritation, central nervous system symptoms at high exposures, and rarely allergic reactions. It carries GHS labeling as an irritant and is best stored with gloves and protective eyewear, especially if you work in raw materials warehouses. The oral LD50 in rats stands at around 1260 mg/kg; for professionals, this points to relative safety compared to more aggressive preservatives, but not to negligence. Chronic hazards remain rare, yet safe practice — fume hoods, containment, good ventilation — always comes up in training. Accidental spillage leads to routine cleanups, and phenoxyethanol's low volatility lessens respiratory hazards, though it still makes sense to respect no-eating and no-drinking rules around storage and transfer.
Most supply chains source phenoxyethanol from petrochemical derivatives, tying availability to global ethylene and phenol streams. Any company in pharmaceuticals that witnessed the pandemic shipping crunch knows supply volatility can hit hard. Quality audits usually trace sourcing and manufacturing, seeking assurance of BP, EP, USP compliance, reinforcing the importance of choosing partners who document every step. Supply chain disruptions make safe storage and robust inventory policies crucial; I have watched price spikes ripple through manufacturing budgets due to short-term shortages.
Investing in secondary suppliers, rigorous in-house testing, and smarter stock management all help buffer risks tied to chemical raw material volatility. Formulators sometimes seek alternatives for products destined for populations with heightened chemical sensitivity, yet phenoxyethanol’s balance of safety, broad-spectrum action, and stability has kept it at the core of pharmaceutical and personal care production. Safety protocols need regular refreshers, not only in labs but in warehouses and at distribution points. Direct engagement with regulatory updates also pays off; substances like phenoxyethanol cycle through periodic reviews and safety reassessments, and missing one can put whole product lines at risk.
Pharmaceutical grade phenoxyethanol, vetted through BP, EP, and USP criteria, secures its place on account of tested performance and regulatory reliability. End product integrity, shelf stability, and patient safety improve when preservative consistency and purity standards are verified and maintained. Batches failing to meet standard bring both safety hazards and production loss, which direct experience in QA makes sharply clear. As research on safer materials advances, phenoxyethanol continues proving its value, giving product developers and manufacturers a stable, tested solution that rarely demands a second thought when compared to less-established chemicals.