IFSCC Monograph No. 2 Basics of Stability Testing

The IFSCC International Federation of Cosmetic Chemists Societies is a worldwide organization focused on international cooperation in cosmetic science and technology. Developed by this organization, Monograph No. 2 is concerned with the practical rather than the theoretical aspects of stability tests on cosmetic products. In particular, he recommends that the precise objectives of each test be clearly defined and carefully planned to save a great deal of time and effort.

The scope of this monograph is as follows:

• General introduction and objectives and principles of stability testing
• Test conditions
• Sample selection
• Product shelf life

The general purpose of a stability test is to determine whether a particular product in the container in which it will be marketed has an adequate shelf life under the conditions of the market in which it will be sold. Shelf life is simply the time a product stays within its specifications when stored under market conditions. Every product changes over time and is ultimately unsatisfactory, meaning that the product no longer conforms to its specifications.

Mainly shelf life is determined by the stability of the product and stability consists of two separate components:

• The inherent chemical and physical stability of the product, or rather the contents of the package (product stability)
• Possible interactions between the product (ingredients) and its direct container (product-container compatibility)

The purposes of stability testing are:

The basis for the proper design of a test is the clear definition of the test objectives. For example, a test may have one or more of the following objectives:

• Evaluation of product (ingredient) stability
• Evaluation of product-container compatibility
• Comparing the stability of a product made with a modified method to that of the original product
• Comparison of the stability of a product made according to a modified formula with that of the original product
• Comparison of the stability of a product made on new production equipment with that of the original product
• Comparing the compatibility of a product with a new container versus the original container
• Examining the effect of new materials from a new source of supply on product stability

Among the numerous test, measurement, analysis and evaluation studies it has given for businesses in various sectors, our organization, with its trained and expert staff and advanced technological equipment, IFSCC Monography No. 2 It also provides testing services in line with the basics of stability testing.