ISO launches standard to identify microbiological low-risk cosmetics

The new standard aims to identify which levels and types of contamination represent a health hazard, and more specifically which types of contamination do not pose any health risk, the organisation said.

The ISO 29621:2010, Cosmetics – Microbiology Guidelines for the risk assessment and indentification of microbiology low risk products, will determine the risk posed in cosmetic and personal care products.

Graded risk assessment​

The idea is to identify exactly and grade the level of risk posed to the user by specific cosmetics and personal care products, which will cover the entire spectrum of categories, from skin care to hair care and colour cosmetics.

“There are many ways in which a cosmetic product can be contaminated by microorganisms,”​ the organisation said in an official statement about the new standard.

“These then multiply to produce high bacterial counts that can cause adverse effects on product quality and consumer health, ranging from infections to severe allergic reactions.”​

Low risk product​

The new ISO standard will serve to determine whether or not a product is of a ‘low-risk product’ or not. If it receives the low-risk status, it can be certified with the new ISO standard and will not have to undergo any further testing.

Cosmetics manufacturers can contact Mojden Rowshan Tabari, secretary of the ISO technical committee and head of the working group that developed the new standards, to determine the best means to commence the certification application process and the necessary risk assessment.

Also, to accompany the new standard ISO has developed a guidelines dossier that has been prepared by the orgnaisation’s technical committee, ISO/TC 217, and is available for purchase from the ISO national member institutes and the ISO Central Secretariat.