New ISO standard introduced to evaluate antimicrobial protection of cosmetics
The Switzerland-based organisation says the new standard, ISO 11930:2012, Cosmetics – Microbiology – Evaluation of the antimicrobial protection of a cosmetic product, will help test their effectiveness in safeguarding consumers.
The ways highlighted in the standard to protect cosmetics are chemical preservation, inherent characteristics of the formulation, package design and the manufacturing process.
Ensuring product safety
“Many of us use cosmetics such as make-up or shampoo to cleanse, perfume, protect and change our appearance or scent. But how do we know that the products we apply are safe?” comments an ISO spokesperson.
“The use of cosmetics is as global as the industry,” adds Andrée Cremieux, project leader of ISO 11930. “Harmonized global guidance is necessary to ensure tests of cosmetics are carried out reliably around the world, and that results from different laboratories are comparable.”
Cremieux explains that the new standard outlines a procedure for evaluating the overall preservation of a cosmetic product including a preservation efficacy test, as well as evaluation criteria.
“The standard will share best practice around the world, making companies more efficient, bringing down barriers to trade and reassuring consumers that the products they use are safe,” says the project leader.
Use with…
The new standards builds upon ISO’s previously set standard two years ago, 29621:2010 guidelines for the risk assessment and identification of microbiologically low-risk products.
ISO says that ISO 11930 should be used in accordance with its predecessor, which helps determine which products have a risk of microbial contamination.
ISO 11930:2012, Cosmetics – Microbiology – Evaluation of the antimicrobial protection of a cosmetic product, was developed by ISO technical committee ISO/TC 217, Cosmetics.
It is available from ISO national member institutes and may also be obtained directly from the ISO Central Secretariat, at 98 Swiss francs (€82), through the ISO Store or by contacting the Marketing, Communication & Information department.
