Cosmetics, Toiletries, Personal Care & Household Products

For confirming that raw materials, intermediates and finished products are of satisfactory microbiological quality and fall within specified limits. Donnington Laboratories are happy to use any standard or client specified method if so instructed. We would recommend following the testing set out in ISO 17516 ‘Microbiological Limits.’

Our in-house methods comply with the ISO 21148, ISO 21149, ISO 16212, ISO 18415, ISO 21150, ISO 22717 & ISO 22718 standards.

Samples falling outside of specified limits or giving unexpected results, will be retested free of charge.

ISO 17516 ‘Microbiological Limits’

• TVC Bacteria, yeast and mould *
• Detection of:
  • Pseudomonas aeruginosa
  • Escherichia coli
  • Staphylococcus aureus
  • Candida albicans

Optional:
Gram negative bacteria – this is useful, as it not only detects pathogens, but it will also detect many organisms known to cause spoilage in products, such as Pluralibacter gergoviae and Burkholderia cepacia.

Other tests we offer:

Enumeration and Detection Tests

• Mesophilic anaerobes and Clostridia spp
• Lactic acid bacteria (including Lactobacillus spp.)
• Enterobacter spp. and Bile Tolerant Gram-negative bacteria
• Coliforms
• Pseudomonas spp.
• Enterococcus spp.
• Thermotolerant and mesophilic spores
• General bacteria *

We offer:

• BP-EP “preparation for cutaneous application”, previously known as topical products *
• BP-EP “Oral preparations” *
• ISO 11930 *
• USP United States Pharmacopoeia
• Headspace or multiple insult. This is useful for assessing products that are in wide neck jars and are to be used in high-risk conditions, such as body or scalp scrubs to be used in showers or baths.
• Testing against in-house strains.

• Phase 1 - Developmental stage
  • BS EN ISO 1040 Bactericidal properties
  • BS EN ISO 1275 Fungicidal/Yeasticidal properties
• Phase 2 Step 1 - To assess products' activity
  • BS EN ISO 1276 Bactericidal
  • BS EN ISO 1650 Fungicidal/Yeasticidal
• Phase 2 Step 2 - To assess products' activity on a surface
  • BS EN ISO 13697

Testing conditions available:

• 5°C
• 20°C
• 22°C
• 25°C
• 30°C
• 40°C
• 45°C
• 50°C
• North east window sill
• Freeze-thaw testing (cycles between -20°C to +40°C every 12 hrs)
• UV Light cabinet (SUN Test)

Test parameters available:

• Colour Odour Appearance (COA)
• pH
• Viscosity
• Pack integrity
• Pump Functionality
• Microscopic assessment – checking the stability of the emulsion.
• Centrifugation
• Melting/slip point
• Loss on drying
• Specific gravity
• Refractive index
• Water activity
• Weight loss
• Acid value
• Saponification value
• Iodine value
• Peroxide value