Question

Is OP-10 octylphenol polyoxyethylene ether compliant with environmental requirements? Can a test report be provided?

Answer
2026-06-06 官方文档 OP-10辛基酚聚氧乙烯醚

OP-10 octylphenol polyoxyethylene ether has clear environmental restrictions: it is harmful to aquatic life with long-lasting effects (GHS Aquatic Chronic Category 3), is not a green environmentally friendly surfactant, and has been strictly regulated in regions such as the EU.

Detailed Description

OP-10 (octylphenol polyoxyethylene ether) belongs to the class of alkylphenol polyoxyethylene ethers (APEOs), which are nonionic surfactants. The core environmental controversy of these substances is that their degradation intermediates in the environment—octylphenol (OP) and short-chain polyoxyethylene ether metabolites—are recognized as environmental endocrine disruptors (EDCs) with estrogenic effects. They can persist in water bodies, accumulate through the food chain, and cause long-term harm to the reproductive functions of fish, aquatic invertebrates, and even entire ecosystems.

According to the Safety Data Sheet in the Guoli Chemical product database, the aquatic ecotoxicity data for OP-10 are: fish 96h-LC50 approximately 3–10 mg/L, daphnia 48h-EC50 less than 10 mg/L. According to the GHS classification criteria, it is clearly classified as Aquatic Chronic Category 3 (H412) — "harmful to aquatic life with long-lasting effects." This classification means that even with diluted discharge, its cumulative effects cannot be ignored.

Currently, the EU REACH regulation has listed octylphenol (4-tert-octylphenol) in the Candidate List of Substances of Very High Concern (SVHC) and imposes strict restrictions on its content in articles; EU Regulation 2016/26 further restricts residues of NPEO and OPEO in textile products. Domestically, although not completely banned, standards such as GB/T 35613-2017 "Green Product Assessment - Textile Products" have explicitly restricted the use of APEOs. Export-oriented companies need to pay special attention to compliance risks. Therefore, OP-10 is not recommended for use in end-product formulations that require environmental certification or are intended for export to European and American markets.

Regarding Test Reports

Whether a test report for OP-10 can be provided, there is no specific information on third-party environmental test reports for this product in this database. Whether the company can provide test reports from authoritative institutions such as SGS, Intertek for RoHS, REACH, APEO residues, as well as the product's COA (Certificate of Analysis), needs to be confirmed directly with Guoli Chemical's sales or technical support department. Typically, testing can be arranged according to customer needs. Test items generally include: APEO content, heavy metals, halogens, phthalates, and other restricted substances.

Application Recommendations

If you have strict requirements for environmental compliance, it is recommended to consider the following alternatives:

  • Fatty alcohol polyoxyethylene ethers (AEO series): e.g., AEO-7, AEO-9, with better biodegradability than APEOs, widely used in daily chemical cleaning and industrial formulations.
  • Isomeric alcohol polyoxyethylene ethers (e.g., TO series): penetration and emulsifying power close to OP-10, and compliant with REACH and other regulations.
  • Alkyl polyglycosides (APG): derived from renewable raw materials, completely biodegradable, suitable for high-end green formulations.

For specific parameters and supply status of the above alternative products from Guoli Chemical, further inquiry can be made.

Precautions

  • The acute toxicity of OP-10 itself is of low toxicity level (rat oral LD50 approximately 1800 mg/kg), but it must not be discharged directly into water bodies or sewers without treatment.
  • Waste products and packaging should be disposed of by qualified treatment agencies in accordance with hazardous waste management requirements.
  • When using OP-10 in export products, be sure to check the regulatory restrictions of the target market in advance to avoid returns or penalties due to non-compliance.