China NIFDC Consults on Six Draft Cosmetic Testing Methods

1

General Guidelines for Microbiological Examination Methods in Cosmetics (Draft)

1) This method stipulates the basic requirements for cosmetic microbiological examination and is applicable to cosmetic sample collection, storage, preparation of test samples, and quality control;

2) Compared with the method in the Safety and Technical Standards for Cosmetics (STSC), this revised version adds requirements for culture media quality control and method applicability, refines laboratory, personnel, and biosafety standards, and clarifies post-examination sample handling procedures.

2

Aerobic Plate Count in Cosmetics (Draft)

1) This method specifies the procedure for determining the aerobic plate count in cosmetics;

2) Compared with the original method in STSC, the revised method introduces three additional quality control strains, incorporates the membrane filtration method with corresponding interpretation criteria, and optimizes the concentration of 2,3,5-triphenyl tetrazolium chloride (TTC) used.

3

Detection of Thermotolerant Coliform Bacteria in Cosmetics (Draft)

1) This method sets out the procedure for detecting thermotolerant coliform bacteria in cosmetics;

2) Unlike the one-step fermentation procedure used in the original method in STSC, the revised method adopts a two-step fermentation procedure, and removes the indole-based judgment requirement.

4

Detection of Staphylococcus Aureus in Cosmetics (Draft)

1) This method defines the procedure for detecting Staphylococcus aureus in cosmetics;

2) Compared with the original method in STSC, the revised method adds standard strains for positive control, introduces a method applicability test, extends the SCDLP enrichment incubation time, and allows the use of a biochemical identification kit or a microbiological identification system for identifying Staphylococcus aureus.

5

Detection of Mold and Yeast in Cosmetics (Draft)

1) This method lays down the procedure for detecting mold and yeast in cosmetics;

2) Compared with the original method in STSC, the revised method updates the name and formulation of the mold and yeast counting medium, adjusts the incubation temperature range, adds standard strains for the method applicability test, introduces the membrane filtration method for counting, and revises the acceptable colony count range.

6

Detection of Burkholderia Cepacia Complex in Cosmetics (Draft)

1) This method establishes the procedure for detecting Burkholderia cepacia complex in cosmetics;

2) The current STSC does not include a corresponding method. This method has been newly developed to serve as a supplement.