Testing Personal Care Products

Personal Care Products (PCPs) or cosmetics are used by humans for physical care, hygiene or relaxation these include makeup, shampoo, toothpaste, perfume and skin creams

Almost all PCPs enter the environment after use via waste water. Almost all toiletries, toothpaste and shampoo end up at the sewage treatment plant and a small fraction flows directly into surface water. Water treatment plants manage to remove most of the substances, however some less degradable ones do get into surface water. 

PCPs may contain hormone disrupting substances such as phthalates, parabens, synthetic musk compounds and biocides. These substances are harmful to people and when in surface water they are harmful to the aquatic environment. 

To protect public health, the composition, labelling and packaging of cosmetic products is specified by law. In the Netherlands, the Commodities Act Decree on Cosmetic Products applies. 

You can find out more about our specialisms on our download page. For questions please contact your contact person or mail us at: info-env@eurofins.nl. Our experts are always happy to help.