Cannabinoids, phthalates and plasticizers, PAHs, and heavy metals and toxic metals in face cream

Compounds on the rise in cosmetics are

cannabinoids and especially CBD-derivatives, due to their suspected positive effects like anti-inflammatory effects, against redness and skin sensitivity, and
allowed plasticizers like adipates and citrates, to replace the banned phthalates.

Several well-known contaminants are banned for use in cosmetic products according to regulation (EC) No 1223/2009, besides others

polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH),
phthalates,
heavy metals, and toxic metals.

P2534-RT is developed to cover cannabinoids, allowed plasticizers as well as the most relevant contaminants in cosmetics.

The participants are free to choose the different modules as mentioned below. The overall overhead (organisation, preparation, shipment, etc.) is covered by the basic price of the test.

A commercially available face cream is chosen as a matrix. The face cream either contains the compounds of the respective group of analytes mentioned below or is spiked with a selection of it. The spiked levels are based on typically concentration levels in routine samples.

The unspiked material is provided as blank material upon request. The blank material might contain levels of some contaminants like phthalates.

The analytical data are assessed with respect to

the correct identification of the spiked cannabinoids, PAHs and phthalates,
the comparability (z-score), and
the trueness (70 to 120% of the spiked level, spiked parameters only).

This ring test is not included in the scope of our accreditation yet. Independent from our scope of accreditation, all ring tests are organised and performed in accordance with the requirements of DIN EN ISO/IEC 17043:2023.

Parameters

Module 1 - cannabinoids

Δ9-THC, Δ9-THC-A, total THC, CBD, CBD-A, total CBD, CBN, CBN-A

Module 2 - phthalates and plasticizers

benzyl butyl phthalate (BBP), dibutyl phthalate (DBP), diisobutyl phthalate (DiBP), bis(2-methoxyethyl) phthalate (DMEP), dipentyl phthalate (DPP), diisopentyl phthalate (DiPP), mono-n-hexyl phthalate (MnHP), di-n-hexyl phthalate (DnHP), diethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP), diisohexyl phthalate (DiHP), diisoheptyl phthalate (DiHepP), dibutyladipat (DBA), acetyltributylcitrat (ATC)

Module 3 - PAHs

benz(a)anthracene, benzo(b)fluoranthene, benzo(j)fluoranthene, benzo(k)fluoranthene, benzo(a)pyrene, benzo(e)pyrene, chrysene, dibenz(a,h)anthracene

Module 4 - heavy metals and toxic metals

antimony, arsenic (total), cadmium, chromium, cobalt, lead, mercury (total), nickel

Expected time schedule

Please register before:
26 February 2025

Dispatch of samples:
19 May 2025

Deadline for reporting results:
13 June 2025

Costs of P2534-RT

Ring test and material	Amount	Price per unit
Cannabinoids, phthalates and plasticizers, PAHs, and heavy metals and toxic metals in face cream	–	400 €
Basic price Organisation, preparation of the homogenates, shipment, evaluation.		included
Module 1 - cannabinoids Face cream, spiked with cannabinoids.	20 g	450 €
Module 2 - phthalates and plasticizers Face cream, spiked with phthalates and plasticizers.	20 g	350 €
Module 3 - PAHs Face cream, spiked with PAHs.	20 g	350 €
Module 4 - heavy metals and toxic metals Face cream, spiked with heavy metals and toxic metals.	20 g	200 €
Blank material Face cream, unspiked.	20 g	70 €

Note: PROOF-ACS reserves the right to cancel tests in case of less than ten participants.