TESTING SERVICES
products. InVitro International, which is
expanding its R&D capabilities, is currently
shopping for a new space for 2014.
Analysis of heavy metals continues to be
at the forefront of formulators’ concerns as
well, according to Bradford Rope, president,
BioScreen Testing, Torrance, CA. In addi-
tion, trace level analysis for prohibited com-
pounds such as formaldehyde, parabens,
diethanolamine and phthalates continues
to drive the business. As a result, BioScreen
has increased its laboratory space as well as
equipment to service the industry.
“Our chemistry laboratory has a new
state of the art Agilent ICP-MS for test-
ing heavy metals, Waters UPLC for faster
through-put of sunscreen analysis and automated sample diges-
tion system for titanium dioxide and zinc oxide and a new photo-
stability chamber,” Rope told HAPPI.
There is a growing demand among finished product marketers and raw material suppliers for high through-put screening,
according to Mafalda Salvi, business development manager, SGS
– Consumer Testing Services, Fairfield, NJ.
“This has created a demand for innovation of laboratory equipment through the use of robotics to our testing capabilities for automatic and hand dish and continuous cycle for fabric detergents
that replicate human activity,” explained Salvi. ”SGS’ detergents
labs are constantly driving innovations to the benefit of our clients.”
“This general trend is due to the worldwide growth of the industry and the increasing need for fast, reliable testing at highly
competitive pricing. Unquestionably, the main concern of our customers is production deadlines, so rapid turn-over time is imperative,” he told HAPPI, adding that his company continues to monitor
world changes in testing requirements.
Rules and Regulations
On the regulatory front, US and global requirements are shap-
ing the testing sector, especially by way of natural personal care.
According to Amy McDade, senior certification project manager,
NSF International, Ann Arbor, MI, her company has requests in-
crease to prove compliance with ISO and European directives.
“As manufacturers look to expand globally, they may have
products that currently meet US requirements but they need to
know if the same approach meets requirements for Europe,” she
told HAPPI.
As of July 2013, there are mandated GMP requirements in
the EU (ISO 22716). But in the US, H.R. 1385 would require
GMPs for Cosmetics, in addition to other
requirements such as facility registration
with FDA, established safety standards
and labeling requirements, review of safety
of cosmetics marketed in interstate com-
merce, serious adverse event reporting,
and gives the FDA authority to order a re-
call along with others.
“What we are seeing now is greater
overlap in requirements for testing, valida-
tion and certification services as consum-
ers ask more questions and demand more
information regarding the safety and ori-
gin of ingredients for personal care prod-
ucts,” noted McDade.
“Here in the US, the FDA is showing
more involvement in cosmetic regulations, particularly as to what
claims a product can make and have demonstrated this by is-
suing warnings to several companies,” added Hubert of Chemir.
“Globally, the EU has completed its initiative against animal test-
ing. We can see US customers leaning more toward this aspect
as well to complement the desire for eco-friendly, natural and
organic products.”
Weiss of CPTC agreed. He told HAPPI, “In the US, there is a
push backed by the government and NGOs to create a regulatory
framework for the personal care industry as seen in the past year
with three different cosmetic safety bills and one bill reintroduced
this year.”
Weiss added that in the EU, the recast of the cosmetic direc-
tive should allow for easier entrance into this important interna-
tional marketplace.
“More companies are selling their products globally, and not
just domestically, which requires a full understanding of the en-
trance requirements by marketplace,” he said.
Waves of the Future
As the household and personal care industry continues to expand, so will the need for testing service providers, according to
industry insiders. For example, in the past year, Chemir has seen
an increase in ethnic hair and skin care testing.
Hubert said that ultimately, the testing service sector is fielding more requests for analysis of products to ensure competitors
are using “what they say they use regarding ingredients, likely
driven by companies desiring to ensure that they are not unfairly
taking market share by inappropriately substituting ingredients.”
According to Ulmer of InVitro International,“More and more
elements of commercial business will look at cost and timing of
production with regulatory agencies making an emphasis on
what everyone does. Our industry looks to the pharmaceutical
business on how many days it takes to get a product into the
market—and how much time is lost getting it there—so testing
services will be more and more attractive.” •
Testing service
providers are always innovating.
