Our work
It is imperative that products used on a day-to-day basis by the general population are safe. Unlike in industrial settings, where users are trained and have access to the necessary protective equipment, consumers at home have to trust that the products they buy are safe. We are experienced in the assessment of cosmetics and other consumer products, and can assist with their evaluation before they go to market – for example through screening out undesirable chemicals – and if specific concerns are raised during their lifetime.
Even if they aren’t covered by a sector-specific regulation, companies are still required by the General Product Safety Regulation to ensure that their products are safe for use. This includes an understanding of the risks posed by the product as a whole, but also any potential residual substances that may be present in trace amounts from the manufacturing process. We can assist with the understanding of the health hazards and risks associated with a wide range of consumer products.
Cosmetics
Cosmetic products are often mixtures – and even mixtures of mixtures. This makes carrying out a defensible toxicological assessment very challenging. The ban on testing cosmetic ingredients on vertebrate animals adds a further complication. Through collaboration with our clients, our skills in searching the toxicological literature and carrying out read-across and (Q)SAR assessments, we are able to provide robust evaluations of safety, including for Cosmetic Product Safety Reports (CPSRs) as required in the EU under Regulation (EC) 1223/2009.
Helpful information
The General Product Safety Regulations
Some of our case studies in this area
Literature review and in silico prediction of metabolites
Case study
As part of their overall regulatory requirements, the client was asked to provide information on the known or predicted metabolites of a number of ingredients in their products. This formed part of a broader programme of work that bibra conducted for this client.
In silico prediction of genotoxicity and carcinogenicity
Case study
As part of their overall regulatory requirements, the client was asked to provide an assessment of the known or predicted genotoxicity and carcinogenicity of a number of ingredients in their products. Bibra were provided with a list of several substances and asked to carry out this work following the genetic toxicology in silico (GIST) protocol.
Evaluation of the safety of two complex cosmetics ingredients
Case study
The client was interested in extending the conditions of use of two of its manufactured surfactants to cosmetics and requested a risk assessment in order to evaluate their safety in a range of rinse-off and leave-on products. The two surfactants are each a mixture of several different structurally-related chemicals.