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Feb 5, 2026 - Cosmetics

BAV supports with the topic of preservation of cosmetics

All cosmetics placed on the market must be safe in accordance with Regulation (EC) No. 1223/2009. A core issue regarding safety is adequate preservation or the choice of a suitable preservation system. Exempt from this are so-called microbiologically low-risk products. These include, for example, water-free products, products with extreme pH values, or cosmetics with a very high solvent content. Typically, adding preservatives to such products is not necessary.

We have the expertise to support you with the topic of preservation and the selection of a suitable preservation system. Specifically, we help you with the following questions:

- Does my product need to be preserved at all?

- What do I do if my cosmetic product has not passed or has only insufficiently passed the preservation challenge test (PCT)?

- Which preservatives are effective against which types of microorganisms?

- Am I allowed to increase the amount of already added preservative?

- Which preservatives are possible and sensible for my type of product?

- What is permitted in terms of preservatives according to Annex V of the European Cosmetics Regulation?

Of course, we also support and advise you on positive microbiological findings and the best way to react. Complaints are repeatedly found, among other things with the bacteria Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Pluralibacter gergoviae.

Alongside advice on preservation, you will receive all necessary tests and regulatory compliance from us to meet the requirements of Regulation (EC) No. 1223/2009.

Incidentally, the use of thiomersal and phenylmercuric salts as preservatives in products intended for use on the eyes was recently assessed as unsafe. This assessment was carried out by the EU's Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety (SCCS).

Source:

https://health.ec.europa.eu/publications/sccs-scientific-advice-safety-thiomersal-cas-no-54-64-8-ec-no-200-210-4-and-phenylmercuric-salts_en