Substance profile
Ethyl formate
Ethyl formate is a mobile liquid with a fruity odor.
01 · Identification
What Ethyl formate is
Ethyl formate is a mobile liquid with a fruity odor. Its molecular formula is C3H6O2 and its molecular weight is 74.08 g/mol. It boils at 54.5 °C, melts at -80.5 °C.
Under the GHS it carries the signal word Danger. It is classed as flammable agents - 3rd degree.
02 · Identifiers
Ethyl formate identifiers and molecular data
Ethyl formate CAS number and EC number
Ethyl formate molecular formula and molecular weight
03 · GHS classification
Ethyl formate hazard classification
Harmonised classification under CLP Annex VI. This is the legally binding classification in the EU; other jurisdictions may differ.
Ethyl formate pictograms and signal word
Ethyl formate hazard class and category
| Hazard class | Category | From code | Pictogram |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flammable liquids GHS chapter 2.6 | Category 2 | H225 | GHS02 |
| Acute toxicity - oral GHS chapter 3.1 | Category 4 | H302 | GHS07 |
| Acute toxicity - inhalation GHS chapter 3.1 | Category 4 | H332 | GHS07 |
| Serious eye damage/eye irritation GHS chapter 3.3 | Category 2A | H319 | GHS07 |
| Specific target organ toxicity - single exposure GHS chapter 3.8 | Category 3 | H335 | GHS07 |
Ethyl formate hazard statements (H-codes)
| Code | Hazard statement |
|---|---|
| H225 | Highly flammable liquid and vapour. |
| H332 | Harmful if inhaled. |
| H302 | Harmful if swallowed. |
| H335 | May cause respiratory irritation. |
| H319 | Causes serious eye irritation. |
This page lists only the codes assigned to Ethyl formate. The full reference lives on the hazard statements hub, the precautionary statements hub and the GHS pictograms hub.
Safety Data Sheet
Getting an SDS for Ethyl formate
A Safety Data Sheet is written for a product, not for a substance: the supplier of the grade you actually buy issues it, so two suppliers of Ethyl formate issue two different sheets. That is why there is no single authoritative SDS for a substance to download — what there is, is the job of collecting the sheets for the products you hold and keeping them current as suppliers revise them.
04 · Precautionary statements
Ethyl formate precautionary statements
CLP Annex VI assigns 18 precautionary statements to Ethyl formate. They are grouped the way a label groups them: what to do before handling, what to do when something has already happened, how to store it and how to dispose of it.
Prevention
What to do before and during handling so the hazard never happens.
Response
What to do once exposure, spillage or fire has already happened.
Reading the notation. … is a blank the supplier fills in — not a truncated sentence.· [square brackets] mark a part printed only when it applies.
05 · Names in the regulation
Ethyl formate name in 23 EU languages
CLP Annex VI Part 3 is published in every language edition of the regulation, and the identification column is written out in each of them. Nothing below is translated by us: each line is the name as that edition prints it. Under Art. 18(2) the substance name from Annex VI is a lawful product identifier, so this is the wording to put on a label going to that market — and where the cell lists several designations, any one of them qualifies.
| Language | Name in CLP Annex VI Part 3 |
|---|---|
| Bulgarian български | етилов формат |
| Spanish español | Formiato de etilo |
| Czech čeština | ethyl-formiát |
| Danish dansk | ethylformiat |
| German Deutsch | Ethylformiat Ameisensäureethylester |
| Estonian eesti | etüülformiaat |
| Greek ελληνικά | μυρμηκικός αιθυλεστέρας μυρμηκικό αιθύλιο |
| English English | ethyl formate |
| French français | formiate d'éthyle |
| Croatian hrvatski | etil-formijat |
| Italian italiano | formiato di etile |
| Latvian latviešu | etilformiāts |
| Lithuanian lietuvių | etilformiatas |
| Hungarian magyar | etil-formiát |
| Maltese Malti | format tal-etil |
| Dutch Nederlands | ethylformiaat |
| Polish polski | mrówczan etylu ester etylowy kwasu mrówkowego |
| Portuguese português | formiato de etilo |
| Romanian română | formiat de etil |
| Slovak slovenčina | etyl-formiát |
| Slovenian slovenščina | etil format |
| Finnish suomi | etyyliformiaatti |
| Swedish svenska | etylformiat |
All 23 language editions of Annex VI carry this entry. Irish is the twenty-fourth official EU language and has no line here for a different reason: no consolidated CLP text has ever been published in Irish, so there is no Irish edition of Annex VI to quote a name from. Source: consolidated CLP, CELEX 02008R1272, language editions. © European Union, https://eur-lex.europa.eu — only the electronic Official Journal of the European Union is authentic.
06 · Label elements
Ethyl formate GHS label elements
Everything CLP Annex VI fixes for Ethyl formate, laid out the way it appears on a label. The greyed lines are the parts only the supplier can fill in.
Danger
Ethyl formate
- Highly flammable liquid and vapour.
- Harmful if inhaled.
- Harmful if swallowed.
- May cause respiratory irritation.
- Causes serious eye irritation.
- Keep away from heat, hot surfaces, sparks, open flames and other ignition sources. No smoking.
- Keep container tightly closed.
- Use explosion-proof [electrical/ventilating/lighting/…] equipment.
- Use only non-sparking tools.
- Do not breathe dust/fume/gas/mist/vapours/spray.
- Wash … thoroughly after handling.
- Do not eat, drink or smoke when using this product.
- Use only outdoors or in a well-ventilated area.
- Wear protective gloves/protective clothing/eye protection/face protection/hearing protection/…
- IF SWALLOWED:
- IF INHALED:
- IF IN EYES:
- Call a POISON CENTER/doctor/… if you feel unwell.
- Get medical advice/attention.
- Rinse mouth.
- If eye irritation persists:
- Remove contact lenses, if present and easy to do. Continue rinsing.
- Store in a well-ventilated place.
Supplier name, address and telephone number· Product identifier·Nominal quantity
Need this as an actual label? Open Ethyl formate in the GHS label constructor →
07 · Health hazards
Ethyl formate health hazards and exposure limits
Ethyl formate occupational exposure limits
| Limit | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| PEL | 100.0 [ppm] | Haz-Map, Information on Hazardous Chemicals and Occupational Diseases |
| PEL | 100 ppm (300 mg/m³) | Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) |
| PEL | TWA 100 ppm (300 mg/m3) | The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) |
| REL | 100 ppm (300 mg/m³) | Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) |
| REL | TWA 100 ppm (300 mg/m3) | The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) |
| IDLH | 1500 ppm (NIOSH, 2024) | CAMEO Chemicals |
| IDLH | 1500.0 [ppm] | Haz-Map, Information on Hazardous Chemicals and Occupational Diseases |
| IDLH | Excerpts from Documentation for IDLHs: It has been reported that 330 ppm produced slight eye irritation and rapidly increasing nasal irritation [Flury and Zernik 1931]. | Haz-Map, Information on Hazardous Chemicals and Occupational Diseases |
These are United States values. The European Union sets its own indicative and binding limits, and the figure that applies at a given workplace is the one in the local regulation — not the one shown here.
08 · Physical and chemical properties
Ethyl formate properties
Every value is shown with the conditions it was measured under and the source it came from. Where sources disagree, all values are listed rather than one being picked — the difference is usually a different form of the substance, not an error.
Ethyl formate boiling point
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boiling point | 54.5 °C (130.1 °F) | at 760 mmHg | HSDB |
| 54.44 °C (130 °F) | NIOSH | ||
| 54.22 °C (129.6 °F) | at 760 mmHg | CAMEO |
Ethyl formate melting point
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Melting point | -80.5 °C (-112.9 °F) | HSDB | |
| -80.56 °C (-113 °F) | NIOSH | ||
| -78.89 °C (-110 °F) | CAMEO |
Ethyl formate density
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Density | 0.92 g/cm³ | NIOSH | |
| 0.9168 g/cm³ | at 20 °C | HSDB | |
| 0.922 g/cm³ | at 20 °C | CAMEO |
Ethyl formate solubility
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Solubility | SOL IN ALL PROPORTIONS IN ALCOHOL, ETHER; VERY SOL IN ACETONE | HSDB | |
| SOLUBILITY IN WATER: 9 PARTS/100 @ 18 °C; MISCIBLE WITH BENZENE | at 18 °C | HSDB | |
| Soluble in most fixed oils, propylene glycol, water (with gradual decomposition), slightly soluble in mineral oil. Insoluble in glycerol | decomposes | JECFA |
Ethyl formate vapor pressure
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vapor pressure | 200 mmHg | NIOSH | |
| 200 mmHg | at 20.6 °C | HSDB | |
| 245 mmHg | at 25 °C, calc from exper determined coefficients | HSDB |
Ethyl formate flash point
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flash point | -20 °C (-4 °F) | HSDB |
Ethyl formate autoignition temperature
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Autoignition temperature | 455 °C (851 °F) | HSDB | |
| 440 °C (824 °F) | ICSC |
Ethyl formate lower explosive limit (LEL)
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lower explosive limit (LEL) | 2.8 % by volume | HSDB |
Ethyl formate upper explosive limit (UEL)
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Upper explosive limit (UEL) | 16 % by volume | HSDB |
Ethyl formate vapor density
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vapor density | 2.56 (air = 1) | HSDB | |
| 2.6 (air = 1) | ICSC |
Ethyl formate odor threshold
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Odor threshold | Odor Threshold Low: 18.0 [ppm] | Haz-Map | |
| Odor Threshold High: 20.0 [ppm] | Haz-Map | ||
| Odor threshold from AIHA | Haz-Map |
Ethyl formate critical temperature and pressure
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Critical temperature and pressure | 235 °C (455 °F) | HSDB |
Values compiled from PubChem Laboratory Chemical Safety Summary. Temperatures converted to Fahrenheit for reference.
09 · Fire and explosion
Ethyl formate fire and explosion behaviour
These are descriptions rather than measured values, so they are kept out of the table above and quoted here with the source that reported them.
Ethyl formate fire potential
Burning Rate: 3.6 mm/min.
Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
10 · Handling and storage
Ethyl formate storage and handling
Ethyl formate safe storage
Fireproof. Separated from strong oxidants. Cool.
Source: ILO-WHO International Chemical Safety Cards (ICSCs)
Ethyl formate storage conditions
KEEP TIGHTLY CLOSED & PREFERABLY IN CONTACT WITH CALCIUM CHLORIDE.
Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
Ethyl formate incompatible materials
Nitrates; strong oxidizers, alkalis & acids [Note: Decomposes slowly in water to form ethyl alcohol & formic acid].
Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
Ethyl formate reactivity
ETHYL FORMATE is an ester. Esters react with acids to liberate heat along with alcohols and acids. Strong oxidizing acids may cause a vigorous reaction that is sufficiently exothermic to ignite the reaction products. Heat is also generated by the interaction of esters with caustic solutions. Flammable hydrogen is generated by mixing esters with alkali metals and hydrides. This compound is incompatible with the following: Nitrates; strong oxidizers, alkalis & acids [Note: Decomposes slowly in water to form ethyl alcohol and formic acid.] (NIOSH, 2024).
Source: CAMEO Chemicals
Planning storage for a mix of chemicals? Check Ethyl formate in the storage compatibility matrix →
11 · Transport
Ethyl formate UN number and transport classification
Transport classification is a separate system from the GHS classification above. It decides how a package is marked and how a load may be carried; it does not follow from the workplace label, and the workplace label does not follow from it. The entries below are linked by CAS number, never by name.
Ethyl formate under UN 1190 — shipping name, class and packing group
Europe · ADR 2025, Table A
| Proper shipping name (3.1.2) | Class | Classification code | PG | Labels (column 5) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ETHYL FORMATE | 3 | F1 | II | |
Source: ADR 2025, Table A of Chapter 3.2 · ECE/TRANS/352 Vol. I (UNECE). Class 3 is “Flammable liquids” (ADR 2.1.1.1).
United States · 49 CFR 172.101 Hazardous Materials Table
| Proper shipping name (column 2) | Class or division | PG | Labels (column 6) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ethyl formate | 3 | II | |
Source: 49 CFR 172.101 Hazardous Materials Table · eCFR, revision 2026-08-03. Class 3 is “Flammable and combustible liquid” (49 CFR 173.2).
12 · Questions
Ethyl formate — frequently asked questions
What is the CAS number of Ethyl formate?
The CAS number of Ethyl formate is 109-94-4. Its EC number is 203-721-0.
What is the chemical formula of Ethyl formate?
The molecular formula of Ethyl formate is C3H6O2 and its molecular weight is 74.08 g/mol.
What does a Ethyl formate label have to show?
Under CLP Annex VI the label for Ethyl formate carries the pictograms Flame and Exclamation mark and the signal word is Danger.
Is Ethyl formate flammable?
Yes. CLP Annex VI assigns Ethyl formate H225 — highly flammable liquid and vapour. The flash point reported for it is -20 °C (-4 °F) (HSDB).
Is Ethyl formate a carcinogen?
CLP Annex VI records no harmonised carcinogenicity classification for Ethyl formate. Annex VI is a list of agreed classifications, not a list of substances found safe, so this is an absence of a classification rather than a clean bill of health.
What is the exposure limit for Ethyl formate?
The US occupational exposure limit reported for Ethyl formate is 100.0 [ppm] (Haz-Map, Information on Hazardous Chemicals and Occupational Diseases). Limits differ by country: the EU sets its own indicative and binding values, and the figure that applies at a given workplace is the one in the local regulation.
What is the boiling point of Ethyl formate?
The boiling point reported for Ethyl formate is 54.5 °C (130.1 °F), at 760 mmHg (HSDB).
What is the melting point of Ethyl formate?
The melting point reported for Ethyl formate is -80.5 °C (-112.9 °F) (HSDB).
How should Ethyl formate be stored?
CLP Annex VI assigns Ethyl formate the storage statement P403. KEEP TIGHTLY CLOSED & PREFERABLY IN CONTACT WITH CALCIUM CHLORIDE. (Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB))
Nearby
Substances next to Ethyl formate
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