Microbiological purity of cosmetics and personal care products play a key role to determine their safety. Microbiology testing services help to minimize the risk of potential damage. Therefore manufacturer should maintain microbiological quality of products as industry is constantly challenged to develop safe, effective, and compliant products that meet the requirements of both legislation and consumers.
We provide accredited testing for identification of microorganisms to meet requirements:
- EN ISO 16212 – enumeration of yeast and mold in cosmetics
- EN ISO 21149 – general guidelines for enumeration microorganisms
- EN ISO 22718 – detection of Staphylococcus aureus in cosmetics
- EN ISO 22717 – detection of Pseudomonas aeruginosa in cosmetics
- EN ISO 18416 – detection of Candida albicans in cosmetics
- EN ISO 21150 – detection of Escherichia coli in cosmetics
Challenge test confirm that the used preservatives protect the cosmetic product against the development of dangerous microorganisms and protect it against the development of secondary infections during use. They consist in the infection of the tested cosmetic mass with the strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aurerus, Candida albicans and Aspergillus brasiliensis and the observation of the reduction of microorganisms over time.
In our laboratory, we perform challenge tests in accordance with:
- EN ISO 11930: 2019-03 with accreditation,
- Eur. 5.1.3. (European Pharmacopoeia method),
- the S&M Koko Test method,
- in selected cases, with the customer’s methodology.
Challenge test is carried out at different stages of production and storage:
- at the product development stage (in order to obtain the correct preservative system),
- during production (to confirm that the technological process has no negative impact on the durability of preservatives and their effectiveness),
- to protect the cosmetic product in the event of unforeseen contamination during production and during use by the consumer,
- to evaluate the action against environmental strains that pose microbiological problems.