CEPRA for Chemicals Testing

Preservatives

The CEPRA laboratory performs analyzes on the main preservatives (parabens, mit, phenoxyethanol ..) used in cosmetic products, in order to verify that the concentration limits imposed by Annex V of Regulation 1223/2009 are respected.

PARABEN ANALYSIS:

Methylparaben (CAS: 99-76-3) MAXIMUM ALLOWED CONCENTRATION:

0.4% (in acid) for a single ester

0.8% (in acid) for ester mixtures

Ethylparaben (CAS 120-47-8) MAXIMUM ALLOWED CONCENTRATION:

0.4% (in acid) for a single ester

0.8% (in acid) for ester mixtures

Propylparaben (CAS: 94-13-3) MAXIMUM ALLOWED CONCENTRATION:

0.14% (in acid) for the sum of the individual concentrations

0.8% (in acid) for mixtures, to the extent that the sum of the individual concentrations of propylparaben and butylparaben and their salts does not exceed 0.14%.

OTHER LIMITATIONS AND REQUIREMENTS: Not to be used in leave-on products intended to be applied in the diaper area of children under the age of three.

Butylparaben (CAS: 94-26-8) MAXIMUM ALLOWED CONCENTRATION:

0.14% (in acid) for the sum of the individual concentrations

0.8% (in acid) for mixtures, to the extent that the sum of the individual concentrations of propylparaben and butylparaben and their salts does not exceed 0.14%.

OTHER LIMITATIONS AND REQUIREMENTS: Not to be used in leave-on products intended to be applied in the diaper area of children under the age of three.

Benzylparaben (CAS: 94-18-8) is prohibited in cosmetic products (Annex II, item 1377)

MIT ANALYSIS

Methylchloroisothiazolinone (CAS: 26172-55-4) MAXIMUM ALLOWED CONCENTRATION

0.0015% (of a 3: 1 mixture of methylchloroisothiazolinone and methylisothiazolinone) in the rinse products

Methylisothiazolinone (CAS: 2682-20-4) MAXIMUM ALLOWED CONCENTRATION

0.0015% (of a 3: 1 mixture of methylchloroisothiazolinone and methylisothiazolinone) in the rinse products

0.0015% in rinsing products

NB: the two conditions are mutually exclusive. The use of methylisothiazolinone mixed with methylchloroisothiazolinone is not compatible with the use of methylisothiazolinone alone.

Methylchloroisothiazolinone and Methylisothiazolinone (CAS: 55965-84-9) MAXIMUM ALLOWED CONCENTRATION

0.0015% (of a 3: 1 mixture of methylchloroisothiazolinone and methylisothiazolinone) in the rinse products

PHENOXYETHANOL ANALYSIS

Phenoxyethanol (CAS: 122-99-6) MAXIMUM CONCENTRATION ALLOWED
1.0%

BENZOIC ACID ANALYSIS

Benzoic acid (CAS: 65-85-0) MAXIMUM CONCENTRATION ALLOWED

2.5% (in acid) in rinse-off products excluding oral hygiene products; 1.7% acid in oral hygiene products 0.5% acid in leave-on products

SORBIC ACID ANALYSIS

Sorbic acid (CAS: 110-44-1) MAXIMUM ALLOWED CONCENTRATION 0.6% (in acid)

BENZYL ALCOHOL ANALYSIS

Benzyl alcohol (CAS: 100-51-6) MAXIMUM CONCENTRATION ALLOWED 1.0%