Microplastic | EUROLAB

What Is Microplastics?

Microplastics analysis determines the presence, number and polymer type of small synthetic polymer particles in a sample. The sample is first freed of organic matter and separated; particles are then identified one by one with micro-FTIR or Raman. A count made without identification is not reliable: natural fibres can easily be miscounted.

Purpose of Microplastics

The purpose is to determine whether deliberately added microplastics are present in the product and to demonstrate compliance with the restriction under REACH. For environmental samples, the aim is to determine the level of pollution.

Which Products Is Microplastics Applied To?

Peeling and scrub products
Toothpaste and cleansers
Make-up and care products
Wastewater and treatment plant effluent
Seawater, sediment and drinking water samples

In Which Sectors Is Microplastics Used?

CosmeticsPersonal CareRetailChemistryEnvironment

Standards Related to Microplastics

EU 2023/2055 (REACH Annex XVII — restriction on intentionally added microplastics)
ISO 24187 (general principles for the analysis of microplastics)
ISO/TR 21960 (plastics — environmental aspects — state of knowledge and methodologies for measuring microplastics)
Relevant water and sediment sampling standards

Microplastics Conditions

Sample preparation: Removal of organic matter, density separation and filtration
Identification: Polymer species determination by micro-FTIR or Raman
Size range: The smallest grain size covered by the method is stated in the report
infection control: Blank samples are mandatory to monitor ambient fiber contamination

Equipment for Microplastics

Micro-FTIR and/or Raman microscope
Density separation setup
Filtration system and filters
Stereo microscope
Clean working environment limiting contamination

Sample Requirements for Microplastics

The product must be sent in its original, unopened packaging.
Batch number, manufacturing and expiry dates must be stated.
The ingredients list (INCI) and formulation information, if any, must be shared.
The required quantity varies by number of analyses; confirmation must be obtained before shipment.
Light- and temperature-sensitive products must be transported under suitable conditions.

Duration of Microplastics

Sample preparation is lengthy and identifying particles one by one takes time; analysing one sample generally takes a few working days.

Microplastics Procedure

1The sample is taken and delivered to the laboratory protected against contamination.
2Organic matter is removed by a suitable method.
3Plastic particles are separated by density separation.
4The sample is placed on a filter.
5A preliminary examination is made with the stereo microscope.
6Particles are identified with micro-FTIR or Raman.
7Polymer type and number/size distribution are reported; the blank sample result is given alongside.

Microplastics Acceptance Criteria

The acceptance criterion for cosmetic products does not come from a single test but from the product's safety assessment report and the regulation. EU 1223/2009 and the Cosmetics Regulation define prohibited and restricted substances, microbiological expectations, and labelling requirements; this page therefore does not give a fixed limit.

Evaluation of Results

Assessment for cosmetics relies on whether microplastics have been intentionally added to the product under EU 2023/2055. For environmental samples, since there is no generally accepted limit, the result is interpreted together with the blank sample level and the size range covered by the method.

Microplastics Report

Product name, batch number, and packaging information
Sample receipt date and storage conditions
Method applied and reference standard
Test conditions and conditioning, if any
Measurement results and units
Measurement uncertainty (if requested)
A statement that the result applies only to the specimen submitted for testing

Accreditation

EUROLAB holds internationally recognised accreditation obtained from accreditation bodies party to the IAF and ILAC multilateral recognition arrangements, under ISO/IEC 17025 for laboratory testing, ISO/IEC 17020 for inspection and surveillance, and ISO/IEC 17021-1 and ISO/IEC 17065 for system and product certification. This chain ensures the reports and certificates issued are accepted worldwide.

Whether this test can be offered within accredited scope depends on your product and the standard applied; since accreditation is method-based, the scope is confirmed in writing at the quotation stage.

Scope and authorisations

Related Regulations

EU 1223/2009 Cosmetic Products Regulation
Cosmetics Regulation (Türkiye)
Cosmetic Product Safety Report (CPSR) requirements
ISO 22716 (good manufacturing practice in cosmetics)

Kozmetik Testleri — What Does This Testing Field Cover?

The section below describes the field that the Microplastics test belongs to; the conditions and acceptance criteria of this particular test are given in the sections above. The scope specific to your product is confirmed in writing at the quotation stage.

Cosmetics testing shows that a product stays microbiologically safe throughout its use, delivers the performance it claims and contains no restricted substances. There is NO PRODUCT APPROVAL in this family: no authority approves a cosmetic product; responsibility rests entirely with the manufacturer and with the responsible person established in the EU.

This responsibility model shapes how the field works. Before the product is placed on the market a product information file (PIF) is prepared, a safety assessment (CPSR) is carried out and notification is completed. Inspection comes afterwards and asks for the file; if the file is incomplete the product is withdrawn from the market. Test reports form the evidence base of that file.

On the microbiological side there are two different questions and each is answered by a separate test. The CURRENT microbiological quality of the product is measured by enumeration and testing for specified microorganisms. The EFFECTIVENESS of the preservative system is examined by deliberately inoculating the product with microorganisms (challenge test): can the product resist repeated contamination throughout its use? A jar of cream is touched by a finger at every use; the preservative system must cope with that.

On the performance side, claim substantiation studies are carried out. For sunscreens, determination of SPF and UVA protection and measurement of water resistance are mandatory and are the basis of the value declared on the label. Evidence is also produced by in vivo or in vitro methods for claims such as moisturisation, appearance of wrinkles, hair care and colour retention.

On the chemical side, banned and restricted substances are screened: heavy metals, prohibited colorants, preservative concentrations, UV filter levels and contaminants such as nitrosamines. Products containing nanomaterials carry a separate notification obligation.

The BAN ON ANIMAL TESTING is the most defining constraint of the field. Animal testing cannot be carried out on finished products or ingredients, and a product tested on animals cannot be placed on the market. Alternative in vitro methods (reconstructed human skin models, cell culture based tests) are therefore at the centre of the field, and toxicological assessment rests largely on existing data, read-across approaches and in vitro results.

Stability and packaging compatibility studies determine shelf life and the period after opening (PAO). The interaction of the product with its packaging is also assessed: an active substance may migrate into the packaging, and substances that should not be present may pass from the packaging into the product.

On the process side, good manufacturing practice is demonstrated through ISO 22716; this is separate from product testing but a mandatory part of the file.

Method groups in this field

Microbiological quality
Enumeration of aerobic mesophilic bacteria, yeasts and moulds; testing for Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, Candida albicans and E. coli.
Preservative efficacy
Resistance of the preservative system to repeated contamination by challenge test (ISO 11930).
Sun protection
In vivo SPF determination, in vitro UVA protection determination, water resistance and critical wavelength measurements.
Chemical analysis
Heavy metals, banned and restricted substances, quantification of preservatives and UV filters, contaminant screening.
Safety assessment
In vitro irritation and sensitisation methods, toxicological risk assessment, exposure calculations.
Stability and compatibility
Real-time and accelerated stability, packaging compatibility, PAO determination, sensory and physicochemical monitoring.

Commonly confused in this field

There is NO CE marking on cosmetics; conformity is demonstrated through the PIF, the safety assessment and notification.
The responsible person must be established in the EU; unless the exporter arranges this, the product cannot be placed on the market.
Microbiological quality and preservative efficacy are different tests; a product that comes out clean may still have a weak preservative system.
The animal testing ban covers ingredients too; animal test data generated for another market creates a problem of use.
An SPF claim must be supported by measurement; a formulation change requires a new measurement.
A change of packaging may require the stability and compatibility studies to be repeated.

Which decisions these results support

The product information file and the safety assessment
Verification of the preservative system design
Substantiation of SPF and efficacy claims
Determining shelf life and the period after opening
Compliance with destination market restrictions for export

Related Tests

Frequently Asked Questions About Microplastics

Why is the blank sample so important?

Synthetic fibres from laboratory air and clothing easily fall into the sample. The blank sample shows this background level; a count taken without it does not reflect actual contamination.

Is every plastic particle counted as a microplastic?

The definition depends on the size range and the regulation. The report clearly states the smallest size the method covers; particles below this limit are not included in the count.