BASIC VIOLET 3- ▸ Biological staining: laboratory biological stain
- ▸ pH indicator: indicator across pH 0.8 to 2.6
- ▸ Dyeing: violet dye for wood, silk and paper
- ▸ Inks: colorant for inks
A grade-specific Safety Data Sheet (SDS) — with the complete hazard classification, handling precautions, and transport information — is supplied with every shipment and available on request. Confirm all safety and regulatory details against the SDS for your specific grade.
Request SDS →⚠ WARNING: This product can expose you to Gentian Violet, which is known to the State of California to cause cancer. For more information go to www.P65Warnings.ca.gov.
Gentian violet (crystal violet; C.I. Basic Violet 3; CAS 548-62-9) is a triarylmethane basic dye. It is used as a dye for wood, silk and paper, as a colorant in inks, as a biological stain, and as a pH indicator across the range 0.8 to 2.6.
Regulatory & registration requirements
- TSCA (US):
- REACH (EU):
- EC number: 208-953-6
Source: EPA TSCA Inventory (July 2025 release) · ECHA CHEM — retrieved 2026-07-12
Regulatory restriction status
Gentian Violet (Crystal Violet) (CAS 548-62-9) appears on the regulatory list(s) below. This is public regulatory information about the substance — not a statement about any specific supplier’s material, and not a safety claim. Confirm the current status for your jurisdiction and intended use.
- California Proposition 65: listed for cancer, listed 23 Nov 2018. A California Proposition 65 warning applies (see the warning above).
- REACH SVHC Candidate List (EU): listed 18 Jun 2012 on the basis of carcinogenic (Art. 57(a)). SVHC status triggers EU supplier-communication and notification duties above 0.1% w/w; it is not, by itself, a ban on sale.
Sources: ECHA Candidate List / Annex XIV / Annex XVII (echa.europa.eu); U.S. EPA TSCA; UN Stockholm Convention / EU POPs Regulation; California OEHHA Proposition 65 list. Retrieved 2026-07-13.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is gentian violet used for?
Gentian violet (crystal violet; C.I. Basic Violet 3; CAS 548-62-9) is used as a laboratory biological stain, as a pH indicator across the range 0.8 to 2.6, as a violet dye for wood, silk, and paper, and as a colorant in inks.
Is gentian violet the same as crystal violet?
Yes. Gentian violet is another name for crystal violet, a triarylmethane basic dye (C25H30ClN3). USP-grade material is supplied to that compendial specification.
Is gentian violet an indicator?
Yes. It functions as a pH indicator across the range of approximately 0.8 to 2.6, and is also widely used as a biological stain (for example in Gram staining). Performance depends on grade and application conditions.
What is the CAS number and HS code for gentian violet?
Gentian violet (crystal violet, C.I. Basic Violet 3) is CAS 548-62-9, classified under HS 3204.13. Reference these on RFQs and customs paperwork for correct identity and tariff treatment.
What bulk packaging and documentation are available?
USP-grade gentian violet is supplied as a powder; request a bulk quote for available pack sizes and order quantities. An SDS and Certificate of Analysis accompany each shipment.
What is the REACH and TSCA regulatory status of Gentian Violet (Crystal Violet)?
Gentian Violet (Crystal Violet) (CAS 548-62-9) is subject to U.S. TSCA Inventory requirements; supplying it into the EU requires valid REACH registration ((EC) No 1907/2006). RawSource cannot verify a third-party supplier's registrations — buyers should require documented TSCA and REACH compliance for their jurisdiction and volume (EC 208-953-6).