Cosmetic Bag Testing: From Safety Standards to Compliance Guidelines, Understanding How to Avoid Pitfalls
From “usable” to “safe to use,” cosmetics bag testing is reshaping the industry value chain. Whether it's brands building a quality moat or consumers safeguarding beauty safety, mastering the core logic of testing is the key to cutting through the clutter in a sea of products and ensuring that every makeup application begins with peace of mind.
Why is cosmetics bag testing so important? — Unveiling the ‘invisible risks’
(1) Packaging safety directly affects the quality of cosmetics.
As a ‘personal container’ for cosmetics, the material stability and safety of makeup bags directly determine the shelf life and effectiveness of their contents. For example, poor-quality plastic packaging materials may release plasticisers, which can accelerate the deterioration of oil-based cosmetics when in prolonged contact. Metal accessories with excessive heavy metal content may cause skin allergies through contact. Testing is not only a compliance requirement for companies, but also a key line of defence for consumers to avoid the risk of skin damage.
(2) Tighter domestic and international regulations and compliance costs are forcing industrial upgrading.
The EU REACH Annex 17, US FDA, and China GB 31604 series standards, among others, have been progressively updated, setting stringent limits on harmful substances such as phthalates, formaldehyde, and azo dyes. Taking Amazon as an example, new regulations in 2024 require cosmetics bags to provide quality inspection reports certified by CNAS/CMA. Products that fail to meet these standards face the risk of being taken off the shelves. Brands that neglect testing may face customer complaints at best and recall losses at worst.
Comprehensive analysis of testing items: Three dimensions lock in core safety indicators
(1) Physical performance testing: safeguarding “durability” and “practicality”
Barrier performance: Through water vapor/oxygen permeability testing, it is ensured that the cosmetic bag does not leak contents or oxidize (e.g., sunscreen deteriorating when exposed to oxygen) in humid, high-temperature environments.
Mechanical strength: Indicators such as tensile strength, tear strength, and heat seal strength are tested to prevent packaging damage caused by compression or friction during transportation (e.g., a snap closure failure rate exceeding 15% is deemed).
Safety details: Smoothness of zippers and sharp edge detection (e.g., metal zipper burrs that may scratch the skin) are assessed. For makeup bags intended for infant use, additional evaluation of strap length safety is required.
(2) Chemical safety testing: exposing the “invisible killer”
Heavy metal residues: Risk of excessive levels of metal ions such as lead, cadmium, and nickel (e.g., nickel release from gold-plated components exceeding 0.5 μg/cm² per week violates the EU EN 1811 standard).
Harmful organic substances: phthalates (plasticizers), formaldehyde, azo dyes, and other banned substances (the EU REACH Annex 17 stipulates that the total concentration of the six phthalates must not exceed 0.1%).
Hygiene indicators: total bacterial count and mold detection to prevent packaging from becoming a breeding ground for microorganisms (especially packaging for wet powder cosmetics requires close monitoring).
(3) Environmental Protection and Compliance Testing: The “Passport” to Global Markets
EU REACH Regulation: Screening for SVHC substances of very high concern (233 items) and testing for restricted substances listed in Annex 17 (e.g., PAHs in leather packaging materials must be tested).
U.S. CPSIA: For children's makeup bags, testing is required for lead and phthalates (total of 6 items such as DEHP/DIBP ≤0.1%).
China GB 31604 series: Specifies migration limits for cosmetic contact materials, such as solvent residue in plastic packaging materials must not exceed 5mg/m².
Detection Process Revealed: 5 Key Steps from Sample to Report
(1) Sample preparation: Representative sampling determines the validity of the test.
Samples of different batches and materials (nylon/PU/cotton fabric, etc.) must be submitted. E-commerce platforms typically require 3-5 full-size samples. Packaging materials with printed patterns must be provided with blank base materials for comparison testing.
(2) Laboratory testing: cross-verification using multiple technical methods.
Gas chromatograph: Accurately measures solvent residues, phthalates, and other organic compounds.
Inductively coupled plasma spectrometer (ICP): Rapidly screens for heavy metals with detection limits down to the ppb level.
Constant temperature and humidity chamber: Simulates extreme environments to test temperature resistance (such as -20°C cold resistance and 60°C heat resistance testing).
(3) Compliance assessment: benchmarking against target market regulations.
Testing agencies will generate targeted reports based on the requirements of the exporting country/region (e.g., CE certification attachments for the EU, FDA statements of compliance for the US), paying particular attention to regulatory updates (e.g., the 2025 REACH Annex 17 restrictions on chlorinated paraffins).
(4) Report review: Double certification endorsement enhances credibility.
Choose a laboratory with CNAS (China National Accreditation Service for Conformity Assessment) and CMA (China Metrology Accreditation) qualifications. Reports issued by such laboratories are recognized by more than 80 countries worldwide, avoiding failure to join e-commerce platforms due to incomplete qualifications.
(5) Rectification and re-inspection: The “road to redemption” for non-conforming items.
If issues such as excessive phthalate levels arise, corrective measures can be taken by switching to environmentally friendly inks and optimizing production processes (e.g., reducing adhesive usage). Products must pass re-inspection before being released to the market to avoid a blanket ban.
Consumer Buying Guide: 3 Quick Tips for Determining the Safety of Cosmetic Bags
(1) Check the labels: Having all three certificates is a basic requirement.
Look for the “GB 31604 implementation standard,” “test report number,” and “material composition table.” For imported products, you should also check for EU CE, US ASTM, and other certification marks.
(2) Smell and touch: directly eliminate risky items
Smell: A pungent chemical odor may indicate excessive solvent residue (such as benzene volatilization).
Feel: Packaging materials that are overly soft and easily deformed may contain excessive plasticizers. Metal accessories should have no sharp edges and an even coating.
(3) Check the channel: Give priority to brands that have been tested.
Pay attention to the brand's published test reports (usually found in the “Quality Assurance” section of the official website) and avoid low-priced, low-quality products (such as PVC makeup bags priced below 10 yuan, which have a risk rate exceeding 60%).
Industry Trends: How is detection technology driving innovation in makeup bags?
(1) Popularization of intelligent testing equipment
Machine vision technology can automatically identify printing defects, pressure sensors accurately assess zipper life, and detection efficiency is improved by more than 30%.
(2) Sustainable material testing becomes a new focus
Incorporate indicators such as degradation rates and heavy metal migration levels of biodegradable plastics (e.g., PBAT/PLA) into the testing system to support the transition to “zero-carbon packaging.”
(3) Rapid test kits are introduced
Portable testing tools (such as phthalate test strips) for small and medium-sized brands can screen for risks within 15 minutes, reducing testing costs.
Inspection is not the end point, but the starting point for quality.
From “usable” to “safe to use,” cosmetics bag testing is reshaping the industry value chain. Whether it's brands building a quality moat or consumers safeguarding beauty safety, mastering the core logic of testing is the key to cutting through the clutter in a sea of products and ensuring that every makeup application begins with peace of mind.