In Australia the ACCC regulates Australian Consumer Law which states when a consumer purchases a product they have the right that it will be of an acceptable quality and safe to use. There is no guidance offered how to achieve this in the case of cosmetics therefore the cosmetic industry has to rely on best practice guidelines.

 

This involves stability testing for each product. Various aspects of stability are tested to ensure the quality and safety of the product. These can include: emulsion stability, physical stability which includes appearance, form, aroma and colour, chemical stability and microbial stability.

 

As a brand owner it is your responsibility to be able to provide evidence your products are of acceptable quality and safe to use if requested by ACCC. Therefore if you create your own customised private label products we recommend you have your products tested. We can perform the tests for you or you can outsource them.

 

The stability testing program put together by Private Label Cosmeceuticals (PLC) includes:

 

1. Freeze/Thaw Test – 5 cycles – 10 day Test

Test pH, viscosity test, visual test for appearance, form and aroma and emulsion stability.

If stable indicates 2 year expiry.

 

2. Accelerated Stability Test @ 35C for 12 months

Test pH, viscosity, visual test and microbiology test at times = 0, 3, 6, 9 and 12 months.

If stable indicates 2 year expiry.

 

3. Accelerated Stability Test @45C for 6 months

Test pH, viscosity, visual test and microbiology test at times = 0, 3 and 6 months.

If stable indicates 2 year expiry.

 

Total Number of Tests:

pH tests x 9

Viscosity tests x 9

Visual test for appearance, form and aroma x 9

Microbiology Tests x 8. Each test involves taking a sample of the cream at the various time intervals and plating it up on 4 separate growth plates - each plate is specific to test for the presence of bacteria, fungus, pseudomonas and staphylococcus. The plates are then incubating for 2-5 days (depending on the specific plate requirements) then doing a colony count on each plate = 32 test plates and counts.

 

Product Requirement for Testing

100g of product x 9 – one for each test point.

 

Costs:

$1700 for tests + cost of 900g of product

 

Test Duration

The test takes 12 months to complete however we will update you at the 3 month mark if your waiting to go to market as soon as possible or at any time the test fails*

 

At completion of the test the results will be emailed to you to keep on record.

 

*If accelerated stability test at 45C at the 3 month mark indicates the product is stable and the freeze/thaw test passes the product can be released for sale knowing you have an expiry date of at least 12 months. This prevents further delays of product release to market. The tests will continue for the full duration in order to obtain a 2 year expiry date.

 

Private labeling differs from manufacturing where in the latter case a batch is produced every 3 years or so in a quantity that would last the 3 year period hence why a 3 year expiry date is a minimum requirement for mass produced manufactured cosmetic products. With PLC the batch sizes we produce are much smaller and made a lot more frequently - we make them fresh with each order which ideally the quantity ordered should last around 3 months. Therefore going to market with a product that initial testing indicates has a 12 month expiry would be sufficient and if/when it eventually passes the 2 year stability test mark would provide a more than ample shelf life.