<!-- DHHB (Uvinul A Plus): is it reef safe? | Reef Label -->
Source: https://reeflabel.com/ingredients/diethylamino-hydroxybenzoyl-hexyl-benzoate/

Chemical (organic) UV filter · Reef research: Limited data

# DHHB (Uvinul A Plus)

A photostable UVA filter used in Europe and Asia.

Banned in

-   Palau

Also excluded where only mineral sunscreen is allowed

-   Maui County
-   Hawaiʻi County

Not approved in the US, so US sunscreens do not contain it.

## Where it’s restricted

Named in the law or guidance

| Location | Status | Since |
| --- | --- | --- |
| [Palau](https://reeflabel.com/locations/palau/) [law text ↗](https://www.palaugov.pw/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/RPPL-No.-10-30-re.-The-Responsible-Tourism-Education-Act-of-2018.pdf) | In force | January 1, 2020 |

### Also not allowed under mineral-only rules

DHHB (Uvinul A Plus) isn’t named in these laws, but they allow only mineral (zinc oxide or titanium dioxide) sunscreens, so a product containing it is excluded anyway.

-   [Maui County (Maui, Molokaʻi, Lānaʻi)](https://reeflabel.com/locations/maui-county/) (in force since October 1, 2022)
-   [Hawaiʻi County (Big Island)](https://reeflabel.com/locations/hawaii-county/) (in force since December 1, 2022)

## Why it’s regulated

In June 2025 the EU Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety set a maximum of 260 ppm for DnHexP, a phthalate contaminant in DHHB. DnHexP is already banned in cosmetics, and the committee set 1 ppm as the target for it in DHHB. DHHB remains authorised under entry 28 of Annex VI, and the committee's limit assumes use up to 10%.

## What the reef research says

No peer-reviewed study of DHHB's effects on coral or other reef species was found in this research. The EU Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety's 2025 opinion on DHHB is about human health and sets a limit for a phthalate contaminant.

-   [SCCS scientific advice on the safety of DHHB (S83), SCCS/1678/25, final version 26 June 2025 (full opinion PDF)](https://health.ec.europa.eu/document/download/0bb2a0be-ba7c-4a1f-96df-d57d18c1316f_en?filename=sccs_o_299.pdf)

Last reviewed October 14, 2026.

### Label names we match

-   diethylamino hydroxybenzoyl hexyl benzoate
-   uvinul a plus
-   dhhb

### Regulatory status

**Wikidata:** [Q5275146](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q5275146)

**US FDA:** Not approved in the US.

**EU:** Approved, max 10%.

**Protects against:** UVA-I.
