Melissa Meisel, Associate Editor10.05.21
From anti-aging serums made from nourishing ingredients like hyaluronic acid to CBD-infused soothing muscle rubs to germ-busting antibacterial kitchen sprays, personal care and household products are more sophisticated in 2021. Both consumers and regulators demand data to back elaborate claims providing both safety and efficacy. That’s why finding the right testing company is critical to a product’s success in the marketplace.
Happi tapped leading testing service providers to talk shop on the latest technology in the sector. Here’s their expertise (presented in alphabetical order by company). A directory of testing service providers follows the feature.
Happi: How do testing services and labs help the marketer? How about the consumer?
Rope of BioScreen: It’s the lab’s job to make the connection between the marketer and real-world data. When ALS works with our clients we always start with “who are you selling to” and “what is the main claim or goal.” From there we work with our clients to tailor every study to suit the specific needs to the marketing they envision, and help them to understand what is and isn’t possible. In terms of what we do for the end users, it’s very indirect, but good laboratory data is the basis for the science and transparency they expect to see from brands.
Baubie of CRG: Verifiable, independent clinical testing services are essential to “claim” contentions. Our testing services effectively legitimize a manufacturer’s claim by performing blinded evaluations of the products. Armed with clean, independent and verifiable data, the manufacturer can rest assured that its product claims will withstand scrutiny. Similarly, independent clinical testing can legitimize the product in the mind of the discerning consumer.
Today’s consumers have endless investigative tools at their fingertips to compare and contrast products before making their purchase. As a result, conscious consumerism is on the rise. This is true for both men and women. The average American woman spends more than $3,000 annually on her personal appearance. Likewise, according to Orbis Research, globally the men’s grooming products market is expected to grow at the rate of 5.23% during the forecast period of 2018 to 2023.
While many factors influence consumer purchasing decisions, the importance of “clinically tested” cannot be understated. Given a choice between a product that merely touts its performance vs one that has the muscle to back up its performance claims with independent, verifiable research, I think the “clinically tested” product readily prevails.
Unfortunately for the consumer, not all testing conducted is independent or verifiable. When a company, for example, seeks to perform its own claims testing in-house, even under the most rigorous standards of independence, it leaves the test results vulnerable to attack due to the perceived bias of in-house testing.
Weiss of CPTC Labs: Testing at an ethical testing lab allow marketers to assure they are producing safe and efficacious products. The consumer benefits, as they can be sure the products they use will not hurt them and should do what they claim to do.
Langerveld of Genemarkers: Testing services provide data, and quality, reliable data is critical for substantiating marketing claims. For companies that do not have in-house laboratory services, outsourcing to companies like Genemarkers which have expertise in personal care testing is an ideal option. Consumers are faced with an overwhelming number of products and this has driven them to become more discerning and to evaluate claims with more scrutiny. Developing products with robust scientific data will help establish consumer confidence and brand loyalty. We’ve also noticed an increase in requests for cruelty-free, ethical testing. Genemarkers’ R&D testing protocols align very well with these new requirements in the skin care industry.
Jhalani of InVitro International: Bringing innovative products to market and launching them in advance of major competitors is the stuff of “marketer’s dreams.” And consumers win by getting products that they really want at a reasonable price. We have been providing faster and lower cost testing services for decades to make these dreams a reality.
Tervooren of VCS: Testing laboratories provide a means to hold product manufacturers accountable for the safety and efficacy of their products, and to help demonstrate what does and doesn’t really work. At VCS, we strive to help educate the consumer on how product testing works, opening doors and offering a much more transparent approach to clinical testing.
The more consumers understand the process, the more they will seek out safer, well-documented products with clearly defined and well-established claims. At VCS, we pride ourselves on providing the highest level of ethical, transparent and accurate testing.
Giovannini of Zurko Research: If we are talking about the market and new trends, of course, new needs are the driving force for manufacturers who are constantly developing new products to meet those needs. Manufacturers are invited to develop new technologies and new formats to meet market requirements.
As a consequence, also the product evaluation activity, to which Zurko is dedicated, has to develop and adapt, evolving together with the products to be tested.
When we talk about the market, we are obviously talking about the role of the consumer, his needs, demands and tastes. Consumers’ desire for new, better and safer products, delivered by dynamic and responsible companies, is becoming more and more evident. This fact drives the industry need to constantly innovate and be up to the task. Around the world, consumer are seeking transparency, veracity and sustainability, and the personal care industry is not an exception.
Happi: What have been the main service requests your company received during the past year in terms of personal care care/cosmetics testing? Is this different in any way? If so, how so and what do you think is behind it?
Rope of BioScreen: We are seeing companies make much more significant investments in safety testing than ever before. I think that companies are being driven to perform more robust safety testing of their products by market forces, and I only see that accelerating in the coming years as end users become more educated. We are also seeing new claims associated with wearing masks, such as maskne, makeup transfer studies and long wear of makeup under masks.
Baubie of CRG: In 2021, we have seen a heightened request for testing textured hair, both in adult and toddler/infant formulations. It is estimated that 55-65% of the world’s population has textured hair, yet it is a market that traditionally has been underserved. There is an enormous opportunity to better serve the textured hair population. We welcome this diversification.
Weiss of CPTC Labs: The main services for this year have been very different than they have been in the past. We have been requested to perform more impurities assay in our chemistry lab for hand sanitizers and sunscreens due to the pandemic and NGO activity. Similarly, we have had many more requests for antimicrobial activity testing in the microbiology lab. Our clinical laboratory has been asked for new and different efficacy studies to support non-maskne claims. Most if not all of the changes in requests are directly attributable to the ongoing COVID pandemic.
Langerveld of Genemarkers: We offer very specialized testing services, focused on the evaluation of biomarkers for discovery, efficacy validation and claims substantiation. Testing can be performed on raw materials, formulations and finished products. Testing is typically performed using cell and tissue models, often exposed to different challenge conditions. In the past year, we have seen an increase in requests for testing related to oxidative stress, DNA repair, wound healing, blue light and the microbiome.
We have been performing gene expression studies to understand the effects of CBD for the past three years; this has been steady and we are seeing an increase in requests to evaluate other cannabinoids, including CBC (cannabichromeme), CBG (cannabigerol) and CBN (cannabinol). We have also seen an increase in testing of novel biosynthetic actives, fermented ingredients and innovative delivery systems for formulating with cannabinoids.
Jhalani of InVitro International: The key focus for us this year has been Ocular Irritection (OI). Customers appreciate that they can get an OECD (TG 496) adopted ocular irritation result within 48 hours, at nearly half the cost. Changing laws and increasing consumer aversion to animal testing will be the key driving factors for OI and all our in vitro technologies.
Tervooren of VCS: The most significant change overall is that our clients switched to working from home and are dealing with extended production timelines, digital meetings and often seem to be behind the eight ball with development cycles.
At VCS we’re a small privately held laboratory that we proudly own and manage. We have one beautiful, modern lab site and we don’t have any corporate bureaucracy or convoluted layers of management who have to weigh in on each and every pricing or study design adjustment. This gives us the ability to act very quickly and decisively, providing our clients with unparalleled customer service. When we design and price a study, you can rest assured that we will provide you with accurate, detailed quotes and timelines.
Brian [Ecclefield, founder of VCS] and I aren’t your average sale people—this is our lab, our livelihood, and our passion; we genuinely love what we do. Simply put, the buck stops with us. We can make an immediate decision about cost, timing and study design based on input from our clients. As a boutique, completely privately owned company, our customer service blows everyone else out of the water.
Giovannini of Zurko Research: If we talk about how the services and the typology of products have been affected by the pandemic, we cannot fail to mention all the products directly or indirectly related to the disinfection and the virucidal or bactericidal effect.
The market is probably more familiar with Zurko’s activity and experience with cosmetic products; however, Zurko Research has a long experience with in vitro and in vivo evaluation of biocidal products. All gels, hydrogels and disinfectant products, which have entered our daily routine worldwide, fall into this category. Therefore, the demand for services for these products at Zurko has risen enormously in the last year.
On the other hand, the repeated use of disinfectant products has been the cause of new alterations in the skin, which has become more sensitive and irritable to certain products or to alcohol itself.
There has also been an increased demand for evaluation studies for products intended to care for skin stressed by the use of masks, gloves and protective equipment in contact with the skin. These are just a few examples of how the pandemic has led to changes in the personal care market.
With regard to changes in personnel and equipment, of course the new circumstances have required intensifying the work of our team of dermatologists who have closely monitored and supervised all the in vivo activities carried out in the laboratory.
Happi: What’s on the regulatory front here in the US or globally that is on your radar screen—and why—and what impact might it have on your customers?
Rope of BioScreen: Probably the biggest question mark is the new sunscreen regulations. We would rather not speculate about potential impacts but wait and see what comes out.
Baubie of CRG: The law governing the $100 billion beauty industry has not change for more than 80 years. Not surprisingly, there are on-going Congressional efforts to update federal law to provide FDA oversight.
As they have in previous sessions of Congress, Sens. Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) and Susan Collins (R-ME) re-introduced the “Personal Care Products Safety Act” (S. 726) in July 2021. The bill was introduced in a previous session of Congress, but it did not receive a vote.
The Personal Care Products Safety Act bill would amend the Federal Food, Drug & Cosmetic Act (FDCA) by including additional federal regulation, such as: requiring cosmetic makers to register with the FDA; requiring cosmetic ingredient statements; requiring the FDA establishment of good manufacturing practices for cosmetics, directing the FDA to review ingredients for safety at the rate of five per year; requiring the FDA to create a product recall protocol and more.
Additionally, in July 2021, US Representative Jan Schakowsky (D-IL-09), announced the Safer Beauty Bill Package, a suite of four new bills aimed at making beauty and personal care products safer. The Safer Beauty Bills cover a wide range of safety concerns, including proposals to ban 11 toxic chemicals, including mercury, formaldehyde, parabens, phenylenediamines, and an entire class of PFAS “forever” chemicals, from cosmetic products. The bill also proposes to offer protections for women of color and salon workers who are often exposed to higher levels of these chemicals and to make ingredient transparency an industry standard.
Still, although major industry players support FDA oversight and greater regulation, it seems unlikely that the hurdles inherent in passing sweeping regulatory reform will be met in 2021. Until change happens, the US will remain behind the EU in safety regulations for beauty and personal care products.
Weiss of CPTC Labs: The biggest on this front are the cosmetic modernization bills that have been floated in the US Congress, many of them will have possible tragic consequences for the industry, especially smaller companies. There are many secondary fronts to be concerned about as well, there are many states that have decided to regulate cosmetics/personal care on their own. I can’t image a bigger headache than having to create multiple labels for the same product just to comply with different states regulation—50 labels for 50 states?
Langerveld of Genemarkers: As part of our service offerings, we test the biological efficacy of cannabinoids and cannabinoid-based products. We follow the changing regulatory requirements for this sector of the industry as it impacts how our customers can formulate, market and sell their products. Our team has been closely following the Hemp Access and Consumer Safety Act. This Act may remove some of the existing barriers for incorporating CBD into dietary, food and beverage items.
Since many of our customers operate in a global market, we try to stay updated on regulatory issues in other countries. For CBD, the global regulatory landscape can be quite complicated as different European countries allow varying levels of CBD and/or THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) in skin care products and cosmetics. In general, our testing services must adhere to the FDA’s requirement that product marketing cannot claim drug-like claims or alter the structure or function of the body.
Jhalani of InVitro International: This year Maine became the sixth US state to ban the sale of new cosmetic products tested on animals. It joins Hawaii, California, Illinois, Nevada and Virginia in implementing such a ban; pending legislation is in New Jersey, Maryland, New York, Rhode Island and Oregon. Is a US wide ban in our near future? China is the second largest cosmetics market in the world and its longstanding requirement for “animal testing” of cosmetic products has been a major hurdle for non-animal testing globally. In 2021, China provided a pathway for companies to import as well as to sell non-animal tested cosmetics.
These regulatory and legal changes are in response to a global outcry against animal testing for everyday cosmetics and personal care products. We believe consumers will finally have myriad choices that serve their increasing desire for “cruelty free” products that minimize animal suffering in 2021-22 and beyond.
Tervooren of VCS: The personal care world is always in flux, and often times it is industry driven as opposed to being driven by direct regulatory considerations that shape the face of the industry. We’re all still waiting for the FDA to finalize its new OTC/sunscreen monograph years after its anticipated publishing date and, unfortunately, FDA seems to be turning consumers away from UV protection and skin cancer prevention with its ingredient blasting publications.
The bottom line is that skin cancer is going to be a devastating, prevalent and constant affliction as the Baby Boomer generation ages, and protected skin is better than unprotected skin when it comes to sun exposure. We sincerely hope that the FDA gets its act together and opens up the ingredient monograph to account for known, international actives that are both proven to be safe and effective. The US consumer needs new options for SPF and sun protection if the regulatory bodies are going to blast many of the approved ingredients to smithereens.
As regulations change, VCS is committed to evolve and continuously reassess our service offerings to best provide custom clinical studies for domestic and international brands.
Giovannini of Zurko Research: The US market certainly plays a leading role in Zurko Research’s expansion strategy. In the last year and a half, the US market has accounted for approximately 35% of our company’s business. We are investing in knowledge and resources to respond to the needs of our current and future US clients. Of course, Zurko is one of the companies authorized and registered with the FDA to be able to offer and guarantee the evaluation services to the US manufacturers.
Internally we have a part of our regulatory department specialized in FDA regulation.
And last but not least, I can announce that Zurko Research will soon have its own premises in the US, which will allow us to improve our services for customers in this important market.
Testing Services Directory 2021
Below is a list of testing services providers that serve the beauty, personal care and home care categories. For more information, contact the companies directly.
Advanced Science
Laboratories, Inc.
New City, NY
(845) 634-1500
info@advancedsl.com
www.advancedsl.com
Advanced Science Laboratories is a next-generation safety and efficacy testing organization that brings together the finest scientific and creative minds. The company features matched scientific photography; custom studies; anti-pollution methods; product efficacy studies; longwear cosmetics/fragrance claims; hair, skin and nail studies; moisturization and skin hydration; color persistence evaluations; antiperspirant efficacy; biophysical claim support; sunscreen water erosion; household product claims; in-vivo and in-vitro measurements; non-invasive, in-vivo SPF and much more...
Allergisa/ALS Group
Av. Dr Romeu Tortima, 452 –
Campinas, SP, Brazil
+55 19 3789 8616
internacional@grupoinvestiga.com
www.allergisa.com
Alliance Technologies, LLC
Monmouth Junction, NJ
(877) 962-5993
info@alliancetechgroup.com
www.alliancetechgroup.com
Alliance Technologies is a full service, DEA-licensed, and FDA-registered and audited contract laboratory offering a wide range of chemical analysis and material testing services to a diverse, international client base. Our expertise and years of experience enable us to select the correct analytical approaches and generate the accurate data needed to solve your toughest problem.
Ametek Brookfield
Middleboro, MA
(508) 946-6200
MA-MID.info@ametek.com
www.brookfieldengineering.com
Beta Analytic Inc.
Miami, FL
(305) 667-5167
info@betalabservices.com
www.betalabservices.com
Bio-based content and natural products testing services; high-quality results in only 5-7 business days (faster service available) under standards that include ASTM D6866, CEN 16137, EN 16640, ISO 16620, ISO 19984. Results can be accessed online 24/7 including QA reports and sample photos.
BioScreen Testing Services, Inc.
Torrance, CA
(310) 214-0043
info@bioscreen.com
www.bioscreen.com
BioScreen Testing Services is a full service, GMP, human clinical, microbiology and analytical chemistry testing laboratory. BioScreen’s clinical services division conducts product safety and efficacy claim studies using a complete array of scientific instrumentation. The company also has sophisticated image capture and analysis software to provide the highest level of scientific image claim support. BioScreen’s clinical services include safety tests for irritation and sensitivity (HRIPT) on the skin and complete ophthalmologic safety tests. BioScreen specializes in customized studies to support product claims from moisturization, anti-aging, SPF and acne, to specialized scar, cellulite, esthetic and eyelash studies. Also offered are Asian subject panels and consumer use studies. BioScreen offers a complete array of analytical chemistry to serve OTC/cosmetic clients from raw material ingredients, sunscreen assay and heavy metals to photo stability, stability, and toxicological assessments. Our microbiological department conducts a compliment of specialized micro studies and ID methods plus more routine preservative testing, microbial plate count, log reduction and bacteriostasis studies.
Canfield Scientific, Inc.
Parsippany, NJ
(973) 434-1200 or (800) 815-4330
info@canfieldsci.com
www.canfieldsci.com
Ceutical Laboratories, Inc.
Farmers Branch, TX
(972) 241-8374
info@ceuticallabs.com
www.ceuticallabs.com
Charles River
Charleston, SC
877.CRIVER.1 (877-274-8371)
www.criver.com
Cliantha Research
St. Petersburg, FL
(727) 344-7602
www.cliantha.com
Comprehensive Research Group, Inc.
Minneapolis, MN
(612) 781-3400
tbaubie@crginc.org
https://crginc.org
For over 20 years, CRG has provided quality data to personal and beauty care manufacturers. We provide superior subject recruitment, study execution and data collection for product development, efficacy and claims. We have extensive expertise in hair care, skin care, anti-aging treatments, antiperspirants/deodorants, baby care, grooming and safety-in-use testing.
Consumer Product Testing Company, Inc.
Fairfield, NJ
(973) 793-8069
sales@cptcplabs.com
www.cptclabs.com
CPTC has provided a full service GMP/GLP/GCP testing laboratory for the cosmetic, personal care, medical device, pharmaceutical and specialty chemical markets. Our capabilities include services in the clinical safety and efficacy, chemistry/microbiology/stability, photobiology, in-vitro toxicological fields and consultation. Our focus is on providing “Conception to Completion” service. We are proud to announce the addition of “Gluten Free” testing, FDA Import Detention testing and new “Bundle” pricing on Predictive Patch, Preservative and Ocular Irritation studies.
Cutech Srl
Padova, Italy
+39 049 870 2225
marco.massironi@cutech.it
www.symselect.com/cutech
Cutech specializes in pre-clinical screening services for hair and skin. To provide best suitable and reasonable results, we work with different screening models: Full thickness ex vivo human skin, Microdissected human hair follicles and sebaceous glands, skin and hair follicle cell cultures.
This approach allows streamlining into clinical/performance trials, reducing investment-risk into false-negative leads, and increasing success rate. We provide testing services to investigate into exposome induced skin aging, like photoaging UV and VL, pollution and oxidation, processes like changes in skin pigmentation, inflammation and skin regeneration. In addition we provide screening services dedicated to hair growth, hair pigmentation, stress to hair as well as sebum and fat modulation.
Dermscan Group
Lyon, France
+33(0) 472 823 656
commercial@dermscan.com
www.dermscan.com
Dermscan is the reference in clinical trials of cosmetics and pharmaceutical products since 1990 and also realize pre-clinical in vitro tests in GLP certified laboratory. ISO 9001:2015 certified, its facilities in France, Poland, Tunisia, Thailand, Mauritius and international partnerships, provide them multi ethnic panels for standard or complex multiparametric studies.
EAG Laboratories
San Diego, CA
(877) 709-9526
www.eag.com
Eurofins|CRL, Inc.
Piscataway, NJ
(732) 981-1616
info@crlresearchlabs.com
www.CRLResearchLabs.com
Eurofins|CRL, Inc. is dedicated to providing a wide range of in-vitro and in-vivo clinical safety and efficacy testing to the cosmetic, beauty, personal care, and pharmaceutical industries. We focus our clinical expertise in the areas of Safety/Clinical Trials, Claims/Bioinstrumentation, Photobiology, Microbiology, Ophthalmology, Pediatrics, Consumer Research, Product Procurement, Binding, and Distribution, Cosmetology, Dental, Gynecology, and associated services. Eurofins|CRL, Inc. combines a highly skilled technical staff with state-of-the-art equipment and facilities located in New Jersey, North Carolina and Texas. We are committed to providing cost-effective testing of the highest quality, combined with timely scheduling, comprehensive final reports, and a commitment to customer service. Our management and staff will work individually with each client to develop a customized safety and efficacy testing program that meets the client’s individual study goals within their specific budgetary requirements.
Evalulab Inc.
Montreal, QC, Canada
(514) 343-0001
sales@evalulab.com
www.evalulab.com
Established for 20 years, Evalulab is a Contract Research Organization that offers standard and customized testing services to evaluate the safety, the performance and the consumer preference of skin care, cosmetics, personal care products as well as medical devices and raw materials. The laboratory is certified ISO 9001:2015 and provides clinical studies that comply with ICH- GCP guidelines, FDA and Health Canada regulations. Our expert reports are a reliable source for substantiation of product claims.
Genemarkers, LLC
Kalamazoo, MI
(844) 220-6231
info@genemarkersllc.com
www.genemarkersllc.com
Genemarkers specializes in genomic testing to optimize product development and validate efficacy. Core services include genotyping, gene expression and microRNA profiling. Genemarkers uses the gold standard in genomics testing technology to identify the biological mechanisms of action of raw materials and finished products. Tests can usually be completed from start to finish in as little as 4-6 weeks. Findings from the study are provided via a comprehensive, easy-to-understand report.
Idea Tests Group
Martillac, France
+33 556 64 82 33
Contact: Frederic Nunzi
f.nunzi@groupeideatests.com
www.groupeideatests.com
Idea Tests Group specializes in the evaluation of cosmetic and personal care products for both ingredients and final formulations. Idea Tests Group provides a holistic approach and a wide range of services: in vitro OECD toxicology, efficacy, and microbiology tests, clinical studies to assess tolerance and efficacy, regulatory expertise to support your specific situation, in vitro and in vivo sun care product testing. With seven evaluation centers Idea Tests Group provides its services to customers all over the world.
Impact Analytical
Midland, MI
(855) 206-0338
info@impactanalytical.com
www.ImpactAnalytical.com
IRSI - International Research Services, Inc.
Port Chester, NY
(914) 937-9483, 1-800-548-0158
info@irsi.org
sschwartz@irsi.org
www.irsi.org
InVitro International
Placentia, CA
(800) 246-8487, (949) 851-8356
invitro@invitrointl.com
www.invitrointl.com
Irritection Assay System (IAS) for ocular and dermal irritation. Ocular Irritection (TG 496) is the only 100% animal free OECD adopted ocular test. Corrositex (TG 435) classifies dermal corrosivity into U.N. Packing Groups and their GHS equivalents with 96+% accuracy, according to OECD. Least cost and fastest testing with results in 24 to 48 hours.
MB Research Laboratories
Spinnerstown, PA
(215) 536-4110
customerservice@mbresearch.com
www.mbresearch.com
MB Research Labs has been dedicated to conducting cosmetic and personal care safety assessments for over 40 years. Specialized services include, but are not limited to, in vitro dermal and eye irritation, dermal sensitization, and phototoxicity. An award-winning recognized leader in the development and use of in vitro/alternative toxicology.
McCrone Group
Westmont, IL
(630) 887-7100
www.mccroneassociates.com
Micro Quality Labs Inc. (MQL Inc.)
Burbank, CA
(818) 845-0070
www.microqualitylabs.com
Micro Quality Labs is an ISO 17025 certified lab, established in 2003 and offers a comprehensive range of contract testing services to the cosmetic, nutritional, pharmaceutical, OTC and household products industries. Services include analytical, stability testing (ICH guidelines), heavy metals, microbiology, method development and validation, environmental testing, water testing, pesticides/USP, 1,4 dioxane, amino acid testing and phthalates.
Princeton Consumer Research
Princeton, NJ
(609) 455-1112
Kirstiemaguire@princetonconsumer.com
www.princetonconsumer.com
Princeton Consumer Research is a global consumer product testing company specializing in safety, efficacy and acceptability studies. PCR focuses on the cosmetic, skin, beauty, personal care and baby care industries. Their global headquarters in Princeton, NJ and their site in St. Petersburg, FL have the largest environmentally controlled rooms and hot rooms in the US. PCR also has two additional sites in the UK, and a site in Winnipeg, Canada. Plans include expansion to Asia and Brazil in the future.
Product Integrity Laboratory LLC
Landing, NJ
(973) 770-7707
info@prodinteglab.com
www.prodinteglab.com
Technical services: Product development and formulation, quality control and quality assurance, regulatory compliance, production troubleshooting.
Q Laboratories, Inc.
Cincinnati, OH
(513) 471-1300
mgoins@qlaboratories.com
office@qlaboratories.com
www.qlaboratories.com
An FDA registered, cGMP/GLP compliant, ISO/IEC 17025 accredited analytical chemistry and microbiology laboratory. Services include: Method development and validation, microbial detection and enumeration, microbial identification, active ingredient analysis, raw material qualification, antimicrobial efficacy analysis and stability studies.
Qualimax LLC
Ridgefield NJ
(201) 313-3353
ferial@qualimaxllc.com
www.qualimaxllc.com
Qualimax, LLC is independent, FDA registered, inspected, and GMP laboratory. Qualimax, LLC, is an ultimate outsourcing laboratory providing accurate, reliable, on time, and cost-effective results for analytical needs, including microbial clearance, and challenge test. Qualimax LLC is equipped with automated GC, HPLC, FTIR, UV, TOC
Analyzer, Karl Fischer and others.
RCTS, Inc.
Irving, TX
(469) 200-5140
mrozen@rctslabs.com
https://rctslabs.com
Safety: Dermatologist Tested, Pediatrician Tested, Gynecologist Tested, Ophthalmologist Tested, Acnegenicity. Patch Tests: HRIPT, Comedogenicity, Cumulative Irritation, Acute Irritation. Eye Safety: Ocular Irritation. Efficacy: Clinical Photography: UV, White Light, Polarized light (VISIA-CR), 3D Image Analysis (EvaFace), : Fine Lines/Wrinkles, Skin Integrity, Moisturization, Dryness, Oiliness. Self Assessment Questionnaires. Data Management, Statistical Analysis
SGS
Fairfield, NJ
(973) 575-5252
www.sgs.com
SGS is an independent partner with global testing facilities, that offers turnkey and innovative solutions to help you improve the safety, efficacy and quality of your products throughout the entire product lifecycle. Our experts specialize in the cosmetics, personal care and household industry. Services include clinical studies for safety and efficacy claim support and chemical, physical, microbiological, stability, toxicology, and packaging testing.
Skinobs Platforms
France
+33(0)630089098
contact@skinobs.com
acharpentier@skinobs.com
www.skinobs.com
Analytical tests, toxicology regulatory, tolerance, use tests, ex vivo, in vitro and in vivo efficacy, sensory analysis for skin care, body care, solar, capillary and makeup.
Solar Light Company, Inc.
Glenside, PA
(215) 517-8700
info@solarlight.com
www.SolarLight.com
Validated Claim Support
Teaneck, NJ
(201) 331-9300
info@validatedcs.com
www.validatedcs.com
VCS specializes in claims and efficacy support, novel protocols and Validated Clinical Photography adhering to COVID-19 safety guidelines. Our clinical photographer has over 20 years’ experience highlighting unique product attributes through imaging and analysis. We are open and fully operational, and have implemented numerous custom processes to ensure the safety of our staff and subjects. VCS is FDA Registered and follows a custom developed GMP, GCP, & GLP hybrid Quality Management System.
Zurko Research
Madrid, Spain
(+34) 650 695 545
zurkoresearch.com
Zurko Research is a leading European CRO with more than 16 years of experience, specialized in in vivo, in vitro and ex vivo testing, as well as regulatory strategy consultancy services. Currently, the company carries out more than 7,000 clinical studies per year and has clients in 29 countries worldwide. It also holds different certifications, such as the UNE-EN-ISO 9001, UNE-EN IEC/ISO 17025 and CIR standards. Come take a virtual tour through Zurko Research’s new website, www.zurkoresearch.com.
Happi tapped leading testing service providers to talk shop on the latest technology in the sector. Here’s their expertise (presented in alphabetical order by company). A directory of testing service providers follows the feature.
Happi: How do testing services and labs help the marketer? How about the consumer?
Rope of BioScreen: It’s the lab’s job to make the connection between the marketer and real-world data. When ALS works with our clients we always start with “who are you selling to” and “what is the main claim or goal.” From there we work with our clients to tailor every study to suit the specific needs to the marketing they envision, and help them to understand what is and isn’t possible. In terms of what we do for the end users, it’s very indirect, but good laboratory data is the basis for the science and transparency they expect to see from brands.
Baubie of CRG: Verifiable, independent clinical testing services are essential to “claim” contentions. Our testing services effectively legitimize a manufacturer’s claim by performing blinded evaluations of the products. Armed with clean, independent and verifiable data, the manufacturer can rest assured that its product claims will withstand scrutiny. Similarly, independent clinical testing can legitimize the product in the mind of the discerning consumer.
Today’s consumers have endless investigative tools at their fingertips to compare and contrast products before making their purchase. As a result, conscious consumerism is on the rise. This is true for both men and women. The average American woman spends more than $3,000 annually on her personal appearance. Likewise, according to Orbis Research, globally the men’s grooming products market is expected to grow at the rate of 5.23% during the forecast period of 2018 to 2023.
While many factors influence consumer purchasing decisions, the importance of “clinically tested” cannot be understated. Given a choice between a product that merely touts its performance vs one that has the muscle to back up its performance claims with independent, verifiable research, I think the “clinically tested” product readily prevails.
Unfortunately for the consumer, not all testing conducted is independent or verifiable. When a company, for example, seeks to perform its own claims testing in-house, even under the most rigorous standards of independence, it leaves the test results vulnerable to attack due to the perceived bias of in-house testing.
Weiss of CPTC Labs: Testing at an ethical testing lab allow marketers to assure they are producing safe and efficacious products. The consumer benefits, as they can be sure the products they use will not hurt them and should do what they claim to do.
Langerveld of Genemarkers: Testing services provide data, and quality, reliable data is critical for substantiating marketing claims. For companies that do not have in-house laboratory services, outsourcing to companies like Genemarkers which have expertise in personal care testing is an ideal option. Consumers are faced with an overwhelming number of products and this has driven them to become more discerning and to evaluate claims with more scrutiny. Developing products with robust scientific data will help establish consumer confidence and brand loyalty. We’ve also noticed an increase in requests for cruelty-free, ethical testing. Genemarkers’ R&D testing protocols align very well with these new requirements in the skin care industry.
Jhalani of InVitro International: Bringing innovative products to market and launching them in advance of major competitors is the stuff of “marketer’s dreams.” And consumers win by getting products that they really want at a reasonable price. We have been providing faster and lower cost testing services for decades to make these dreams a reality.
Tervooren of VCS: Testing laboratories provide a means to hold product manufacturers accountable for the safety and efficacy of their products, and to help demonstrate what does and doesn’t really work. At VCS, we strive to help educate the consumer on how product testing works, opening doors and offering a much more transparent approach to clinical testing.
The more consumers understand the process, the more they will seek out safer, well-documented products with clearly defined and well-established claims. At VCS, we pride ourselves on providing the highest level of ethical, transparent and accurate testing.
Giovannini of Zurko Research: If we are talking about the market and new trends, of course, new needs are the driving force for manufacturers who are constantly developing new products to meet those needs. Manufacturers are invited to develop new technologies and new formats to meet market requirements.
As a consequence, also the product evaluation activity, to which Zurko is dedicated, has to develop and adapt, evolving together with the products to be tested.
When we talk about the market, we are obviously talking about the role of the consumer, his needs, demands and tastes. Consumers’ desire for new, better and safer products, delivered by dynamic and responsible companies, is becoming more and more evident. This fact drives the industry need to constantly innovate and be up to the task. Around the world, consumer are seeking transparency, veracity and sustainability, and the personal care industry is not an exception.
Happi: What have been the main service requests your company received during the past year in terms of personal care care/cosmetics testing? Is this different in any way? If so, how so and what do you think is behind it?
Rope of BioScreen: We are seeing companies make much more significant investments in safety testing than ever before. I think that companies are being driven to perform more robust safety testing of their products by market forces, and I only see that accelerating in the coming years as end users become more educated. We are also seeing new claims associated with wearing masks, such as maskne, makeup transfer studies and long wear of makeup under masks.
Baubie of CRG: In 2021, we have seen a heightened request for testing textured hair, both in adult and toddler/infant formulations. It is estimated that 55-65% of the world’s population has textured hair, yet it is a market that traditionally has been underserved. There is an enormous opportunity to better serve the textured hair population. We welcome this diversification.
Weiss of CPTC Labs: The main services for this year have been very different than they have been in the past. We have been requested to perform more impurities assay in our chemistry lab for hand sanitizers and sunscreens due to the pandemic and NGO activity. Similarly, we have had many more requests for antimicrobial activity testing in the microbiology lab. Our clinical laboratory has been asked for new and different efficacy studies to support non-maskne claims. Most if not all of the changes in requests are directly attributable to the ongoing COVID pandemic.
Langerveld of Genemarkers: We offer very specialized testing services, focused on the evaluation of biomarkers for discovery, efficacy validation and claims substantiation. Testing can be performed on raw materials, formulations and finished products. Testing is typically performed using cell and tissue models, often exposed to different challenge conditions. In the past year, we have seen an increase in requests for testing related to oxidative stress, DNA repair, wound healing, blue light and the microbiome.
We have been performing gene expression studies to understand the effects of CBD for the past three years; this has been steady and we are seeing an increase in requests to evaluate other cannabinoids, including CBC (cannabichromeme), CBG (cannabigerol) and CBN (cannabinol). We have also seen an increase in testing of novel biosynthetic actives, fermented ingredients and innovative delivery systems for formulating with cannabinoids.
Jhalani of InVitro International: The key focus for us this year has been Ocular Irritection (OI). Customers appreciate that they can get an OECD (TG 496) adopted ocular irritation result within 48 hours, at nearly half the cost. Changing laws and increasing consumer aversion to animal testing will be the key driving factors for OI and all our in vitro technologies.
Tervooren of VCS: The most significant change overall is that our clients switched to working from home and are dealing with extended production timelines, digital meetings and often seem to be behind the eight ball with development cycles.
At VCS we’re a small privately held laboratory that we proudly own and manage. We have one beautiful, modern lab site and we don’t have any corporate bureaucracy or convoluted layers of management who have to weigh in on each and every pricing or study design adjustment. This gives us the ability to act very quickly and decisively, providing our clients with unparalleled customer service. When we design and price a study, you can rest assured that we will provide you with accurate, detailed quotes and timelines.
Brian [Ecclefield, founder of VCS] and I aren’t your average sale people—this is our lab, our livelihood, and our passion; we genuinely love what we do. Simply put, the buck stops with us. We can make an immediate decision about cost, timing and study design based on input from our clients. As a boutique, completely privately owned company, our customer service blows everyone else out of the water.
Giovannini of Zurko Research: If we talk about how the services and the typology of products have been affected by the pandemic, we cannot fail to mention all the products directly or indirectly related to the disinfection and the virucidal or bactericidal effect.
The market is probably more familiar with Zurko’s activity and experience with cosmetic products; however, Zurko Research has a long experience with in vitro and in vivo evaluation of biocidal products. All gels, hydrogels and disinfectant products, which have entered our daily routine worldwide, fall into this category. Therefore, the demand for services for these products at Zurko has risen enormously in the last year.
On the other hand, the repeated use of disinfectant products has been the cause of new alterations in the skin, which has become more sensitive and irritable to certain products or to alcohol itself.
There has also been an increased demand for evaluation studies for products intended to care for skin stressed by the use of masks, gloves and protective equipment in contact with the skin. These are just a few examples of how the pandemic has led to changes in the personal care market.
With regard to changes in personnel and equipment, of course the new circumstances have required intensifying the work of our team of dermatologists who have closely monitored and supervised all the in vivo activities carried out in the laboratory.
Happi: What’s on the regulatory front here in the US or globally that is on your radar screen—and why—and what impact might it have on your customers?
Rope of BioScreen: Probably the biggest question mark is the new sunscreen regulations. We would rather not speculate about potential impacts but wait and see what comes out.
Baubie of CRG: The law governing the $100 billion beauty industry has not change for more than 80 years. Not surprisingly, there are on-going Congressional efforts to update federal law to provide FDA oversight.
As they have in previous sessions of Congress, Sens. Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) and Susan Collins (R-ME) re-introduced the “Personal Care Products Safety Act” (S. 726) in July 2021. The bill was introduced in a previous session of Congress, but it did not receive a vote.
The Personal Care Products Safety Act bill would amend the Federal Food, Drug & Cosmetic Act (FDCA) by including additional federal regulation, such as: requiring cosmetic makers to register with the FDA; requiring cosmetic ingredient statements; requiring the FDA establishment of good manufacturing practices for cosmetics, directing the FDA to review ingredients for safety at the rate of five per year; requiring the FDA to create a product recall protocol and more.
Additionally, in July 2021, US Representative Jan Schakowsky (D-IL-09), announced the Safer Beauty Bill Package, a suite of four new bills aimed at making beauty and personal care products safer. The Safer Beauty Bills cover a wide range of safety concerns, including proposals to ban 11 toxic chemicals, including mercury, formaldehyde, parabens, phenylenediamines, and an entire class of PFAS “forever” chemicals, from cosmetic products. The bill also proposes to offer protections for women of color and salon workers who are often exposed to higher levels of these chemicals and to make ingredient transparency an industry standard.
Still, although major industry players support FDA oversight and greater regulation, it seems unlikely that the hurdles inherent in passing sweeping regulatory reform will be met in 2021. Until change happens, the US will remain behind the EU in safety regulations for beauty and personal care products.
Weiss of CPTC Labs: The biggest on this front are the cosmetic modernization bills that have been floated in the US Congress, many of them will have possible tragic consequences for the industry, especially smaller companies. There are many secondary fronts to be concerned about as well, there are many states that have decided to regulate cosmetics/personal care on their own. I can’t image a bigger headache than having to create multiple labels for the same product just to comply with different states regulation—50 labels for 50 states?
Langerveld of Genemarkers: As part of our service offerings, we test the biological efficacy of cannabinoids and cannabinoid-based products. We follow the changing regulatory requirements for this sector of the industry as it impacts how our customers can formulate, market and sell their products. Our team has been closely following the Hemp Access and Consumer Safety Act. This Act may remove some of the existing barriers for incorporating CBD into dietary, food and beverage items.
Since many of our customers operate in a global market, we try to stay updated on regulatory issues in other countries. For CBD, the global regulatory landscape can be quite complicated as different European countries allow varying levels of CBD and/or THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) in skin care products and cosmetics. In general, our testing services must adhere to the FDA’s requirement that product marketing cannot claim drug-like claims or alter the structure or function of the body.
Jhalani of InVitro International: This year Maine became the sixth US state to ban the sale of new cosmetic products tested on animals. It joins Hawaii, California, Illinois, Nevada and Virginia in implementing such a ban; pending legislation is in New Jersey, Maryland, New York, Rhode Island and Oregon. Is a US wide ban in our near future? China is the second largest cosmetics market in the world and its longstanding requirement for “animal testing” of cosmetic products has been a major hurdle for non-animal testing globally. In 2021, China provided a pathway for companies to import as well as to sell non-animal tested cosmetics.
These regulatory and legal changes are in response to a global outcry against animal testing for everyday cosmetics and personal care products. We believe consumers will finally have myriad choices that serve their increasing desire for “cruelty free” products that minimize animal suffering in 2021-22 and beyond.
Tervooren of VCS: The personal care world is always in flux, and often times it is industry driven as opposed to being driven by direct regulatory considerations that shape the face of the industry. We’re all still waiting for the FDA to finalize its new OTC/sunscreen monograph years after its anticipated publishing date and, unfortunately, FDA seems to be turning consumers away from UV protection and skin cancer prevention with its ingredient blasting publications.
The bottom line is that skin cancer is going to be a devastating, prevalent and constant affliction as the Baby Boomer generation ages, and protected skin is better than unprotected skin when it comes to sun exposure. We sincerely hope that the FDA gets its act together and opens up the ingredient monograph to account for known, international actives that are both proven to be safe and effective. The US consumer needs new options for SPF and sun protection if the regulatory bodies are going to blast many of the approved ingredients to smithereens.
As regulations change, VCS is committed to evolve and continuously reassess our service offerings to best provide custom clinical studies for domestic and international brands.
Giovannini of Zurko Research: The US market certainly plays a leading role in Zurko Research’s expansion strategy. In the last year and a half, the US market has accounted for approximately 35% of our company’s business. We are investing in knowledge and resources to respond to the needs of our current and future US clients. Of course, Zurko is one of the companies authorized and registered with the FDA to be able to offer and guarantee the evaluation services to the US manufacturers.
Internally we have a part of our regulatory department specialized in FDA regulation.
And last but not least, I can announce that Zurko Research will soon have its own premises in the US, which will allow us to improve our services for customers in this important market.
From specialized laboratory rooms dedicated to hair care to new gene expression panels to interrogate the effects of environmental contamination, testing service providers are stepping up resources to match increasing global market demands for 2021 and beyond. For example, BioScreen’s analytical laboratory in Mexico City is now FDA registered and able to start accepting samplers for release of US OTC and drug products. According to Adam Rope, director of sales and marketing, pharmaceutical and personal care, USA, BioScreen, this lab has an “unparalleled capacity” in the industry with over 550 employees, 120+ HPLCs, 65+ GCs and much more. “US clients can now access high quality laboratory services in LATAM at a significant discount from US based prices, while meeting current turnaround time expectations,” he told Happi. Meanwhile, in 2021, Comprehensive Research Group, Inc. (CRG) has focused its energies on building capacity in its biomedical storage capacity and avoiding business interruptions. According to Tracey L. Baubie, president/CEO, CRG, “We have added a -80°C freezer and a gas generator to ensure its continued operations even in the event of an unforeseen electrical outage.” Baubie added that CRG is also preparing for the installation of solar panels on the roof of its research facility. “This move will reduce our dependency on the power grid and give us the ability to ensure an uninterrupted power supply using a clean and renewable energy source. We see this as an important investment for our business, as well as our planet,” she told Happi. Consumer Product Testing Company (CPTC Labs) has increased its client capacity with new clinical rooms, microbiology labs and planned new environmental room with adjacent bioinstrumentation suites. According to Craig Weiss, president, CPTC, the company is also in the process of opening a satellite clinical facility to increase its demographics. Genemarkers was able to add several new testing services and capabilities to its R&D division in the past year. According to Anna Langerveld, PhD, chief scientific officer, Genemarkers, the company developed a new gene expression panel to interrogate the effects of environmental contamination. “So far, we have validated the Panel with 3D in vitro skin tissues exposed to both UV and blue light and are working on validating the Panel in response to diesel particulate matter (DPM). Blue light is a new service, and we have evaluated the effects on our other gene panels, including the Standard Skin and Skin Brightening Panels,” Langerveld said. Genemarkers also recently updated its microRNA panel, which can be used to investigate the effects of cannabinoids, environmental contaminants and skin care products on a class of non-coding RNAs that play important roles in regulating gene expression. Other features on the way for 2022 are new services including RNA sequencing, whole transcriptome expression analysis, DNA sequencing and DNA methylation analysis. “We will also be offering skin microbiome analysis, for testing pre-and probiotics in skin care products,” Langerveld added. InVitro International has expanded its roster this year with additional laboratory personnel to be trained in anticipation of increased interest in its Ocular Irritection (OI) testing. “This is starting to pay-off in the last few months as our demand for OI is rising steadily,” said Atul Jhalani, president, InVitro International. Validated Claim Support (VCS) has recently added some new testing equipment to its repertoire including a customized Laser Doppler for blood flow measurements and a Dermo for Collagen enhancement claim support. According to Jane Tervooren, vice president, VCS, “We have also supplemented our Courage & Khazaka instrumentation to provide multiple options for bioinstrumentation. In addition, we have recently enrolled in Canfield’s VAESTRO analysis system, which gives us a multitude of new options for image analysis and quantification.” And, some testing service providers moved facilities in the past year, which can also offer a way to grow. According to Sabina Giovannini, director, Zurko Research, “During the pandemic, we took the opportunity to bring forward a change that was already planned for the future of Zurko, which was the move to a larger and more functional facility due to the growing demand for services…in our new facilities, we have created a space that allows us to work in tranquility, with control mechanisms and no contact between all the teams of employees and volunteers. “It has been a change that has been worth the effort and that has allowed us to grow, both in the number of employees and volunteers, and therefore, in our client portfolio. In addition to the new headquarters, we have also increased the number of equipment, improving them both in quantity and quality.” |
Testing Services Directory 2021
Below is a list of testing services providers that serve the beauty, personal care and home care categories. For more information, contact the companies directly.
Advanced Science
Laboratories, Inc.
New City, NY
(845) 634-1500
info@advancedsl.com
www.advancedsl.com
Advanced Science Laboratories is a next-generation safety and efficacy testing organization that brings together the finest scientific and creative minds. The company features matched scientific photography; custom studies; anti-pollution methods; product efficacy studies; longwear cosmetics/fragrance claims; hair, skin and nail studies; moisturization and skin hydration; color persistence evaluations; antiperspirant efficacy; biophysical claim support; sunscreen water erosion; household product claims; in-vivo and in-vitro measurements; non-invasive, in-vivo SPF and much more...
Allergisa/ALS Group
Av. Dr Romeu Tortima, 452 –
Campinas, SP, Brazil
+55 19 3789 8616
internacional@grupoinvestiga.com
www.allergisa.com
Alliance Technologies, LLC
Monmouth Junction, NJ
(877) 962-5993
info@alliancetechgroup.com
www.alliancetechgroup.com
Alliance Technologies is a full service, DEA-licensed, and FDA-registered and audited contract laboratory offering a wide range of chemical analysis and material testing services to a diverse, international client base. Our expertise and years of experience enable us to select the correct analytical approaches and generate the accurate data needed to solve your toughest problem.
Ametek Brookfield
Middleboro, MA
(508) 946-6200
MA-MID.info@ametek.com
www.brookfieldengineering.com
Beta Analytic Inc.
Miami, FL
(305) 667-5167
info@betalabservices.com
www.betalabservices.com
Bio-based content and natural products testing services; high-quality results in only 5-7 business days (faster service available) under standards that include ASTM D6866, CEN 16137, EN 16640, ISO 16620, ISO 19984. Results can be accessed online 24/7 including QA reports and sample photos.
BioScreen Testing Services, Inc.
Torrance, CA
(310) 214-0043
info@bioscreen.com
www.bioscreen.com
BioScreen Testing Services is a full service, GMP, human clinical, microbiology and analytical chemistry testing laboratory. BioScreen’s clinical services division conducts product safety and efficacy claim studies using a complete array of scientific instrumentation. The company also has sophisticated image capture and analysis software to provide the highest level of scientific image claim support. BioScreen’s clinical services include safety tests for irritation and sensitivity (HRIPT) on the skin and complete ophthalmologic safety tests. BioScreen specializes in customized studies to support product claims from moisturization, anti-aging, SPF and acne, to specialized scar, cellulite, esthetic and eyelash studies. Also offered are Asian subject panels and consumer use studies. BioScreen offers a complete array of analytical chemistry to serve OTC/cosmetic clients from raw material ingredients, sunscreen assay and heavy metals to photo stability, stability, and toxicological assessments. Our microbiological department conducts a compliment of specialized micro studies and ID methods plus more routine preservative testing, microbial plate count, log reduction and bacteriostasis studies.
Canfield Scientific, Inc.
Parsippany, NJ
(973) 434-1200 or (800) 815-4330
info@canfieldsci.com
www.canfieldsci.com
Ceutical Laboratories, Inc.
Farmers Branch, TX
(972) 241-8374
info@ceuticallabs.com
www.ceuticallabs.com
Charles River
Charleston, SC
877.CRIVER.1 (877-274-8371)
www.criver.com
Cliantha Research
St. Petersburg, FL
(727) 344-7602
www.cliantha.com
Comprehensive Research Group, Inc.
Minneapolis, MN
(612) 781-3400
tbaubie@crginc.org
https://crginc.org
For over 20 years, CRG has provided quality data to personal and beauty care manufacturers. We provide superior subject recruitment, study execution and data collection for product development, efficacy and claims. We have extensive expertise in hair care, skin care, anti-aging treatments, antiperspirants/deodorants, baby care, grooming and safety-in-use testing.
Consumer Product Testing Company, Inc.
Fairfield, NJ
(973) 793-8069
sales@cptcplabs.com
www.cptclabs.com
CPTC has provided a full service GMP/GLP/GCP testing laboratory for the cosmetic, personal care, medical device, pharmaceutical and specialty chemical markets. Our capabilities include services in the clinical safety and efficacy, chemistry/microbiology/stability, photobiology, in-vitro toxicological fields and consultation. Our focus is on providing “Conception to Completion” service. We are proud to announce the addition of “Gluten Free” testing, FDA Import Detention testing and new “Bundle” pricing on Predictive Patch, Preservative and Ocular Irritation studies.
Cutech Srl
Padova, Italy
+39 049 870 2225
marco.massironi@cutech.it
www.symselect.com/cutech
Cutech specializes in pre-clinical screening services for hair and skin. To provide best suitable and reasonable results, we work with different screening models: Full thickness ex vivo human skin, Microdissected human hair follicles and sebaceous glands, skin and hair follicle cell cultures.
This approach allows streamlining into clinical/performance trials, reducing investment-risk into false-negative leads, and increasing success rate. We provide testing services to investigate into exposome induced skin aging, like photoaging UV and VL, pollution and oxidation, processes like changes in skin pigmentation, inflammation and skin regeneration. In addition we provide screening services dedicated to hair growth, hair pigmentation, stress to hair as well as sebum and fat modulation.
Dermscan Group
Lyon, France
+33(0) 472 823 656
commercial@dermscan.com
www.dermscan.com
Dermscan is the reference in clinical trials of cosmetics and pharmaceutical products since 1990 and also realize pre-clinical in vitro tests in GLP certified laboratory. ISO 9001:2015 certified, its facilities in France, Poland, Tunisia, Thailand, Mauritius and international partnerships, provide them multi ethnic panels for standard or complex multiparametric studies.
EAG Laboratories
San Diego, CA
(877) 709-9526
www.eag.com
Eurofins|CRL, Inc.
Piscataway, NJ
(732) 981-1616
info@crlresearchlabs.com
www.CRLResearchLabs.com
Eurofins|CRL, Inc. is dedicated to providing a wide range of in-vitro and in-vivo clinical safety and efficacy testing to the cosmetic, beauty, personal care, and pharmaceutical industries. We focus our clinical expertise in the areas of Safety/Clinical Trials, Claims/Bioinstrumentation, Photobiology, Microbiology, Ophthalmology, Pediatrics, Consumer Research, Product Procurement, Binding, and Distribution, Cosmetology, Dental, Gynecology, and associated services. Eurofins|CRL, Inc. combines a highly skilled technical staff with state-of-the-art equipment and facilities located in New Jersey, North Carolina and Texas. We are committed to providing cost-effective testing of the highest quality, combined with timely scheduling, comprehensive final reports, and a commitment to customer service. Our management and staff will work individually with each client to develop a customized safety and efficacy testing program that meets the client’s individual study goals within their specific budgetary requirements.
Evalulab Inc.
Montreal, QC, Canada
(514) 343-0001
sales@evalulab.com
www.evalulab.com
Established for 20 years, Evalulab is a Contract Research Organization that offers standard and customized testing services to evaluate the safety, the performance and the consumer preference of skin care, cosmetics, personal care products as well as medical devices and raw materials. The laboratory is certified ISO 9001:2015 and provides clinical studies that comply with ICH- GCP guidelines, FDA and Health Canada regulations. Our expert reports are a reliable source for substantiation of product claims.
Genemarkers, LLC
Kalamazoo, MI
(844) 220-6231
info@genemarkersllc.com
www.genemarkersllc.com
Genemarkers specializes in genomic testing to optimize product development and validate efficacy. Core services include genotyping, gene expression and microRNA profiling. Genemarkers uses the gold standard in genomics testing technology to identify the biological mechanisms of action of raw materials and finished products. Tests can usually be completed from start to finish in as little as 4-6 weeks. Findings from the study are provided via a comprehensive, easy-to-understand report.
Idea Tests Group
Martillac, France
+33 556 64 82 33
Contact: Frederic Nunzi
f.nunzi@groupeideatests.com
www.groupeideatests.com
Idea Tests Group specializes in the evaluation of cosmetic and personal care products for both ingredients and final formulations. Idea Tests Group provides a holistic approach and a wide range of services: in vitro OECD toxicology, efficacy, and microbiology tests, clinical studies to assess tolerance and efficacy, regulatory expertise to support your specific situation, in vitro and in vivo sun care product testing. With seven evaluation centers Idea Tests Group provides its services to customers all over the world.
Impact Analytical
Midland, MI
(855) 206-0338
info@impactanalytical.com
www.ImpactAnalytical.com
IRSI - International Research Services, Inc.
Port Chester, NY
(914) 937-9483, 1-800-548-0158
info@irsi.org
sschwartz@irsi.org
www.irsi.org
InVitro International
Placentia, CA
(800) 246-8487, (949) 851-8356
invitro@invitrointl.com
www.invitrointl.com
Irritection Assay System (IAS) for ocular and dermal irritation. Ocular Irritection (TG 496) is the only 100% animal free OECD adopted ocular test. Corrositex (TG 435) classifies dermal corrosivity into U.N. Packing Groups and their GHS equivalents with 96+% accuracy, according to OECD. Least cost and fastest testing with results in 24 to 48 hours.
MB Research Laboratories
Spinnerstown, PA
(215) 536-4110
customerservice@mbresearch.com
www.mbresearch.com
MB Research Labs has been dedicated to conducting cosmetic and personal care safety assessments for over 40 years. Specialized services include, but are not limited to, in vitro dermal and eye irritation, dermal sensitization, and phototoxicity. An award-winning recognized leader in the development and use of in vitro/alternative toxicology.
McCrone Group
Westmont, IL
(630) 887-7100
www.mccroneassociates.com
Micro Quality Labs Inc. (MQL Inc.)
Burbank, CA
(818) 845-0070
www.microqualitylabs.com
Micro Quality Labs is an ISO 17025 certified lab, established in 2003 and offers a comprehensive range of contract testing services to the cosmetic, nutritional, pharmaceutical, OTC and household products industries. Services include analytical, stability testing (ICH guidelines), heavy metals, microbiology, method development and validation, environmental testing, water testing, pesticides/USP, 1,4 dioxane, amino acid testing and phthalates.
Princeton Consumer Research
Princeton, NJ
(609) 455-1112
Kirstiemaguire@princetonconsumer.com
www.princetonconsumer.com
Princeton Consumer Research is a global consumer product testing company specializing in safety, efficacy and acceptability studies. PCR focuses on the cosmetic, skin, beauty, personal care and baby care industries. Their global headquarters in Princeton, NJ and their site in St. Petersburg, FL have the largest environmentally controlled rooms and hot rooms in the US. PCR also has two additional sites in the UK, and a site in Winnipeg, Canada. Plans include expansion to Asia and Brazil in the future.
Product Integrity Laboratory LLC
Landing, NJ
(973) 770-7707
info@prodinteglab.com
www.prodinteglab.com
Technical services: Product development and formulation, quality control and quality assurance, regulatory compliance, production troubleshooting.
Q Laboratories, Inc.
Cincinnati, OH
(513) 471-1300
mgoins@qlaboratories.com
office@qlaboratories.com
www.qlaboratories.com
An FDA registered, cGMP/GLP compliant, ISO/IEC 17025 accredited analytical chemistry and microbiology laboratory. Services include: Method development and validation, microbial detection and enumeration, microbial identification, active ingredient analysis, raw material qualification, antimicrobial efficacy analysis and stability studies.
Qualimax LLC
Ridgefield NJ
(201) 313-3353
ferial@qualimaxllc.com
www.qualimaxllc.com
Qualimax, LLC is independent, FDA registered, inspected, and GMP laboratory. Qualimax, LLC, is an ultimate outsourcing laboratory providing accurate, reliable, on time, and cost-effective results for analytical needs, including microbial clearance, and challenge test. Qualimax LLC is equipped with automated GC, HPLC, FTIR, UV, TOC
Analyzer, Karl Fischer and others.
RCTS, Inc.
Irving, TX
(469) 200-5140
mrozen@rctslabs.com
https://rctslabs.com
Safety: Dermatologist Tested, Pediatrician Tested, Gynecologist Tested, Ophthalmologist Tested, Acnegenicity. Patch Tests: HRIPT, Comedogenicity, Cumulative Irritation, Acute Irritation. Eye Safety: Ocular Irritation. Efficacy: Clinical Photography: UV, White Light, Polarized light (VISIA-CR), 3D Image Analysis (EvaFace), : Fine Lines/Wrinkles, Skin Integrity, Moisturization, Dryness, Oiliness. Self Assessment Questionnaires. Data Management, Statistical Analysis
SGS
Fairfield, NJ
(973) 575-5252
www.sgs.com
SGS is an independent partner with global testing facilities, that offers turnkey and innovative solutions to help you improve the safety, efficacy and quality of your products throughout the entire product lifecycle. Our experts specialize in the cosmetics, personal care and household industry. Services include clinical studies for safety and efficacy claim support and chemical, physical, microbiological, stability, toxicology, and packaging testing.
Skinobs Platforms
France
+33(0)630089098
contact@skinobs.com
acharpentier@skinobs.com
www.skinobs.com
Analytical tests, toxicology regulatory, tolerance, use tests, ex vivo, in vitro and in vivo efficacy, sensory analysis for skin care, body care, solar, capillary and makeup.
Solar Light Company, Inc.
Glenside, PA
(215) 517-8700
info@solarlight.com
www.SolarLight.com
Validated Claim Support
Teaneck, NJ
(201) 331-9300
info@validatedcs.com
www.validatedcs.com
VCS specializes in claims and efficacy support, novel protocols and Validated Clinical Photography adhering to COVID-19 safety guidelines. Our clinical photographer has over 20 years’ experience highlighting unique product attributes through imaging and analysis. We are open and fully operational, and have implemented numerous custom processes to ensure the safety of our staff and subjects. VCS is FDA Registered and follows a custom developed GMP, GCP, & GLP hybrid Quality Management System.
Zurko Research
Madrid, Spain
(+34) 650 695 545
zurkoresearch.com
Zurko Research is a leading European CRO with more than 16 years of experience, specialized in in vivo, in vitro and ex vivo testing, as well as regulatory strategy consultancy services. Currently, the company carries out more than 7,000 clinical studies per year and has clients in 29 countries worldwide. It also holds different certifications, such as the UNE-EN-ISO 9001, UNE-EN IEC/ISO 17025 and CIR standards. Come take a virtual tour through Zurko Research’s new website, www.zurkoresearch.com.