---
type: "WebPage"
title: "Laboratory analysis of Glycol Ethers"
description: "You wish to carry out a Glycol Ethers analysis What are glycol ethers? Glycol ethers (or glycol ethers) are a family of organic solvents resulting from the reaction between an alcohol and a glycol ether. Widely used for their solubility..."
resource: "https://filab.fr/en/our-services/our-analysis-services/chemical-analysis-laboratory/analysis-glycol-ethers/"
tags: ["EN", "pll_68c92fb988841", "Anaïs DECAUX"]
timestamp: "2025-12-31T08:32:24Z"
published: "2025-09-16T11:53:12Z"
language: "en"
author: "Laure Durieux"
---

# Laboratory analysis of Glycol Ethers

## You wish to carry out a Glycol Ethers analysis

### What are glycol ethers?

**Glycol ethers** (or glycol ethers) are a family of organic solvents resulting from the reaction between an alcohol and a glycol ether. Widely used for their solubility and volatility, they are found in many sectors:

- **[Paints and varnishes](https://filab.fr/en/our-services/our-analysis-services/polymer-materials-analysis-laboratory/laboratory-analysis-paint-varnish.md), inks**
- **Cosmetics and pharmaceuticals**
- **Industrial cleaners and [detergents](https://filab.fr/en/our-services/our-analysis-services/chemical-analysis-laboratory/analysis-and-dosage-of-detergents-in-the-laboratory-2.md)**
- **Electronics and [microelectronics](https://filab.fr/en/sectors-of-activity/microelectronics-analysis-laboratory.md)**

Due to their **potential toxicity** and high reactivity, analytical monitoring of glycol ethers is essential to ensure the compliance of finished products and the safety of industrial processes.

## The FILAB laboratory supports you in the analysis of Glycol Ethers

### Our Glycol Ethers analysis services

Analysis and dosage of Glycol Ethers

[Expertise on non-conformities](https://filab.fr/en/our-services/rd/custom-testing/filab-helps-you-solve-your-product-non-conformity-problems-in-relation-to-a-specification.md): [particles](https://filab.fr/en/our-services/our-expertise-services/laboratory-analyis-standard-iso-19227/particle-counting-laboratory.md), [deposits](https://filab.fr/en/our-services/our-expertise-services/laboratory-analysis-deposit-contamination.md), [unknown spike](https://filab.fr/en/laboratory-mass-spectrometry-unknown-spike-analysis.md), material degradation, etc.

[Degradation study](https://filab.fr/en/sectors-of-activity/health-pharmaceutical-cosmetics/forced-degradation-study-in-laboratory.md)

Analysis and dosage of N-METHYL -2 PYRROLODONE (NMP) (LOQ < 50 ppm)

Analysis of 10 GLYCOL ETHERS (LOQ < 3 ppm)

[Purity analysis](https://filab.fr/en/our-services/our-expertise-services/laboratory-analysis-deposit-contamination/purity-analysis-laboratory.md) of Glycol Ethers

[Deformulation](https://filab.fr/nos-prestations/expertise/filab-realise-la-deformulation-ou-reverse-engineering-de-vos-echantillons.md)

[Analysis of contaminants](https://filab.fr/en/our-technical-resources/laboratory-analysis-sem-scanning-electron-microscopy/laboratory-analysis-contaminants.md) in Glycol Ethers

Analysis and dosage of PAHs

### Our associated services

Analysis and dosage of PAHs

Analysis of 10 Glycol Ethers (LOQ < 3 ppm)

## Our Glycol Ethers analysis techniques

 [### HS-GC/MS](https://filab.fr/en/our-technical-resources/gas-chromatography-analysis-lab-gc/gc-ms-hs-gc-ms-and-tdu-gc-ms-laboratory.md) [### HPLC-MS and HPLC-MS/MS](https://filab.fr/en/our-technical-resources/laboratory-analysis-uplc/laboratory-analysis-hplc-lcms.md) [### MALDI-TOF](https://filab.fr/en/our-technical-resources/maldi-tof-laboratory-analysis.md) [### ICP-MS](https://filab.fr/en/our-technical-resources/icp-ms-analysis-laboratory.md) [### LC-QTOF-MS](https://filab.fr/en/our-technical-resources/laboratory-for-lc-qtof-analysis.md)
### FTIR

### Why choose FILAB for Glycol Ethers analysis

- A comprehensive and modern analytical suite, enabling reliable and rapid analysis.
- Multi-sector expertise: cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, chemicals, medical devices, electronics, automotive, etc.
- Tailor-made support: simple analysis, in-depth expertise, or R&D projects.
- A responsive and available team, capable of handling your urgent requests.

### Why analyze glycol ethers?

Glycol ether testing is essential for:

- **Meeting regulatory requirements** ([REACH](https://filab.fr/en/our-services/our-analysis-services/laboratory-reach-analysis.md), CLP, European directives, sector standards).
- **Ensuring the compliance** and safety of products intended for sensitive sectors: [pharmaceuticals](https://filab.fr/en/sectors-of-activity/analysis-industry-pharmaceuticals.md), [cosmetics](https://filab.fr/en/sectors-of-activity/laboratory-analysis-cosmetics.md), electronics, etc.
- [Assessing the purity of raw materials](https://filab.fr/en/our-services/our-expertise-services/laboratory-analysis-deposit-contamination/purity-analysis-laboratory.md) and verifying the compliance of manufacturing processes.

## FAQ

 What are the main sectors concerned by the analysis of glycol ethers?
Glycol ethers are used in many fields, including paints and varnishes, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, electronics, medical devices, automotive, and industrial chemistry. Each sector has its own regulatory requirements and quality constraints, making their analysis essential.

 What are the risks associated with glycol ethers?
Some glycol ethers have reproductive toxicity and can be harmful through inhalation or skin contact. Monitoring them helps limit operator exposure and ensure the safety of finished products.

 What techniques can be used to identify and quantify glycol ethers?
The most common methods include gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), HPLC, and spectroscopic techniques such as FT-IR and NMR. The choice depends on the matrix and the expected level of sensitivity.

 Which glycol ethers are regulated by REACH?
The most monitored are: 2-methoxyethanol (CAS 109-86-4), 2-ethoxyethanol (CAS 110-80-5) and their derivatives, due to their CMR classification (Carcinogenic, Mutagenic, Reprotoxic). Others may be subject to declaration depending on their use and concentration.

 What types of samples can be tested for glycol ethers?
The analysis can be carried out on raw materials as well as on formulated products (paints, inks, cosmetics, cleaning solvents), but also in industrial effluents or environmental samples.

 Examples of glycol ethers analyzed in the laboratory and associated CAS numbers
| Common name | Designation | CAS Number |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 2-methoxyethanol (EGME) | Ethylene glycol monoether | 109-86-4 |
| 2-ethoxyethanol (EGEE) | Ethylene glycol ethyl ether | 110-80-5 |
| 2-butoxyethanol (EGBE) | Butyl glycol | 111-76-2 |
| 2-methoxypropanol (PGME) | Methylpropylene glycol | 107-98-2 |
| Dipropylene glycol monomethyl ether (DPM) | Formulation solvent | 34590-94-8 |