Trusted Cosmetic Testing Laboratory for Product Safety
At CAL Laboratories, we support cosmetic and personal care manufacturers with comprehensive analytical testing to ensure product safety, stability, and compliance. Our ISO/IEC 17025:2017 accredited facility in Canada is equipped to conduct a wide range of cosmetic testing services that align with Health Canada, FDA (21 CFR), and international regulatory standards. We specialize in working with formulators, researchers, and brand owners to validate label claims, confirm ingredient potency, and bring compliant, market-ready products to retail.
Comprehensive Cosmetic Testing Services for Regulatory Compliance
Cosmetics and personal care products are complex mixtures of actives, preservatives, emollients, fragrances and other supportive molecules. We test for:
- Active ingredient quantification
- Heavy metal contaminants (lead, arsenic, cadmium, mercury)
- Preservative content and efficacy (challenge testing)
- Microbiological safety (pathogens, yeast, mold)
- Allergen and impurity screening All testing is conducted using pharmacopeial methods (USP, FCC, AOAC) or validated in-house protocols.
Advanced Sunscreen Testing for SPF and Ingredient Validation
Our sunscreen testing services verify UVA/UVB protection active ingredients such as avobenzone, octinoxate, and zinc oxide. We follow Health Canada’s Sunscreen Monograph, FDA regulations, and ISO 24443/24444 methodologies to support accurate labeling and regulatory submissions.
Cosmetic Stability Testing & Shelf Life Determination
CAL Laboratories performs both real-time, intermediate and accelerated stability studies to evaluate:
- Microbial stability: contamination by bacteria, mold, and yeast
- Physical changes: viscosity, texture, separation, color, odor
- Chemical integrity: pH, emulsion stability, degradation products
- Packaging compatibility and interaction These studies support shelf life prediction and expiration dating, essential for product safety and consumer trust.
When Stability Testing Is Needed:
- Launching a new product
- Reformulating an existing product
- Changing packaging components
- Switching suppliers or manufacturing sites
Sanitizer Testing – Compliance with Health Canada and FDA
CAL provides ethanol and isopropyl alcohol (IPA) sanitizer testing to ensure compliance with:
- Health Canada Antiseptic Skin Cleansers Monograph
- FDA 21 CFR OTC Topical Antimicrobial Drug Products We test raw materials and finished products for:
- Alcohol purity (GC testing for ethanol, methanol, IPA, impurities)
- Assay and impurities for volatile alcohols
- Efficacy testing (ASTM E2315, EN 1500 equivalent)
- Chemical characterization of packaging interaction
Cosmetic Testing FAQs: What Brands Need to Know
Yes. We assess the efficacy of preservative systems in R&D and commercial samples.
Yes. We assess how packaging affects product stability over time.
Yes. We test for bacterial pathogens, yeast, and mold contamination in both raw and finished products.
We follow USP, FCC, AOAC, ISO, FDA 21 CFR, and Health Canada guidelines.
Yes, we test all North American approved sunscreen active ingredients in line with Health Canada and FDA regulations.
It determines how long a product maintains its quality, safety, and efficacy under specific storage conditions.