Why is Cosmetic Stability Testing Important?
Legal background
Under Annex I of Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009, the Cosmetic Product Safety Report (CPSR) must include information on the product’s physical/chemical characteristics and its stability under reasonably foreseeable storage conditions. Appropriate stability and compatibility data help support shelf-life determination, packaging suitability, product safety and EU cosmetic regulatory compliance.
Benefits of Stability & Compatibility Testing
How cosmetic stability testing supports shelf life, packaging suitability and regulatory compliance.
Supports shelf-life determination
Provides evidence to justify the expected stability and durability of the cosmetic product.
Confirms product quality
Helps verify that physical, chemical, sensory and functional properties remain acceptable over time.
Assesses packaging compatibility
Identifies potential interactions between the cosmetic formulation and its container or closure system.
Supports CPSR compliance
Provides stability data relevant to the safety assessment and regulatory documentation.
Our services
How We Support Cosmetic Stability & Compatibility Testing
Obelis coordinates cosmetic stability testing, accelerated stability studies, real-time stability testing and packaging compatibility testing through specialised laboratory partners. We help define an appropriate testing protocol based on the formulation, product type, packaging, storage conditions, distribution environment and intended shelf life. Studies can evaluate physico-chemical, microbiological, sensory and functional stability, while compatibility testing assesses potential interactions between the product and its container-closure system. Results can support shelf-life determination, CPSR preparation and broader EU cosmetic regulatory compliance.
- Accelerated Stability Testing: products are exposed to controlled environmental conditions designed to identify potential changes more quickly and provide supporting evidence for proposed shelf life.
- Packaging Compatibility Testing: compatibility studies assess whether the cosmetic formulation, packaging material and closure system interact in ways that could affect product safety, quality or performance.
- Shelf-Life & CPSR Support: stability study results can help substantiate the proposed minimum durability, Period After Opening considerations and CPSR stability assessment, where applicable.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Cosmetic stability testing evaluates whether a cosmetic product maintains acceptable physical, chemical, microbiological, functional and sensory characteristics throughout its intended shelf life under defined storage conditions.
EU cosmetics legislation requires the Cosmetic Product Safety Report (CPSR) to contain information on the stability of the cosmetic product under reasonably foreseeable storage conditions. Stability studies are commonly used to generate the evidence needed to support this assessment.
Accelerated stability testing uses controlled conditions intended to speed up potential product changes, while real-time stability testing monitors the product under expected storage conditions over a longer period. The two approaches may be used together to support shelf-life assessment.
Depending on the product, stability studies may assess parameters such as appearance, colour, odour, pH, viscosity, phase separation, weight loss, microbiological quality and overall product performance.
Stability data can help support the proposed shelf life or minimum durability of a cosmetic product. Accelerated studies may provide early supporting evidence, while real-time studies can provide longer-term confirmation.
