What Is Microplastics?
Microplastics analysis identifies and quantifies synthetic polymer particles in a sample. In COSMETICS, the purpose is to detect the presence of intentionally added synthetic polymer microparticles restricted under (EU) 2023/2055. In ENVIRONMENTAL SAMPLES, microplastics found in water, sludge and soil are determined through filtration, separation and spectroscopic identification.
Purpose of Microplastics
The purpose is to demonstrate regulatory compliance on the cosmetics side and to determine the pollution level on the environmental side. (EU) 2023/2055 bans intentionally added microplastics on a phased schedule.
Which Products Is Microplastics Applied To?
- Peeling and scrub products
- Make-up and care products
- Toothpaste and oral care products
- Wastewater and surface water samples
- Treatment sludge and soil samples
In Which Sectors Is Microplastics Used?
Standards Related to Microplastics
- ISO 24187 (principles for microplastics analysis)
- TS EN ISO 5667 series (water sampling)
- CEN/TR 17519 (microplastics measurement approaches)
- ISO 4484 series (microplastics in textiles)
Microplastics Conditions
- Identification
- Polymer type is determined by FTIR or Raman microscopy
- Size range
- The reported size range sets the method's detection limit and must always be stated
- Pre-treatment
- Organic matrix removal and density separation
- Contamination control
- Plastic contamination from the laboratory environment is monitored; a blank specimen is mandatory
Equipment for Microplastics
- FTIR microscope and Raman microscope
- Py-GC/MS (for mass-based determination)
- Density separation equipment
- Filtration systems and steel sieves
- Stereo microscope
Sample Requirements for Microplastics
- Market formulation and INCI list for cosmetics
- Water samples in glass or metal containers; plastic containers must not be used
- Specimen volume is determined by the detection limit
- Contact with plastic equipment must be avoided during sampling
Duration of Microplastics
Pre-treatment (organic matter removal) and particle-by-particle identification are time-consuming; analysis usually takes between a few working days and a few weeks. Identification time increases markedly as particle count rises.
Microplastics Procedure
- 1The specimen is collected in a suitable container and contamination precautions are applied.
- 2The organic matrix is removed by a suitable method.
- 3Plastic particles are concentrated by density separation.
- 4Particles are collected by filtration.
- 5Polymer type is identified by FTIR or Raman microscopy.
- 6Particle count, size and, if required, mass are reported.
Microplastics Acceptance Criteria
In cosmetics, the acceptance criterion is the absence, under the conditions defined by the regulation, of the synthetic polymer microparticles restricted by (EU) 2023/2055. The restriction takes effect on a phased schedule by product category; the date and scope applicable to your product are confirmed from the current text. There is no general limit for environmental samples; the result serves monitoring purposes.
Evaluation of Results
The result is limited to the size range the method can detect: a method that cannot see below 20 microns will not report particles below that size. The statement "no microplastics found" must therefore always be read together with the size range and detection limit. Plastic contamination from the laboratory environment is a real risk, and blank specimen results are given in the report.
Microplastics Report
- Specimen identification, matrix and volume/mass taken
- Pre-treatment and separation method applied
- Identification technique and size range
- Particle count and size distribution by polymer type
- Blank specimen results
- Detection limit
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 authorisationsRelated Regulations
- (EU) 2023/2055 (REACH Annex XVII — synthetic polymer microparticles)
- (EC) 1223/2009 Cosmetic Products Regulation
- 2000/60/EC Water Framework Directive
Environmental Analysis — 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.
Environmental analysis determines the presence and concentration of pollutants in water, soil, waste, air and flue gas samples. The output of this family is usually part of a permit, a declaration or an inspection file; the result has direct legal consequences.
In this family SAMPLING is half the result, and this is the feature that most sets the field apart. A sample taken at the wrong time, in the wrong container, under the wrong preservation or from the wrong point gives an invalid result no matter how well it is analysed in the laboratory. In waste water a grab sample and a composite sample give different information; in soil, surface and depth produce different results. Sampling therefore has its own standards and its own accreditation scope.
On the water side, physico-chemical parameters (pH, conductivity, turbidity, COD, BOD, suspended solids), ions, heavy metals, organic pollutants and microbiological parameters are measured. Drinking water and waste water carry different parameter sets and different limits; the same laboratory method leads to a different decision under the two regimes.
In soil and waste, heavy metals, hydrocarbons, PAH and PCB compounds and LEACHING BEHAVIOUR are determined. The leaching test carries a logic peculiar to this field: it is not the total amount of a pollutant in soil but the fraction that can pass into water that determines the environmental risk. Waste classification and the disposal decision rest largely on this test.
On the emissions side, dust, sulphur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide, oxygen, moisture and total organic carbon are monitored in flue gas. Measurement is made on site under operating conditions and must represent the plant's actual operating regime; a measurement taken at low load does not show the emissions at full capacity.
Continuous measurement systems are a separate body of work. In large plants emissions are monitored continuously and the accuracy of these systems is verified periodically by comparison with independent measurements; the quality assurance framework governs this.
Noise and vibration measurements complete the environmental impact side of the field: environmental noise mapping, workplace noise exposure and vibration exposure measurements produce evidence for both environmental and occupational health legislation.
Method groups in this field
Sampling
Separate sampling standards for water, waste water, soil, waste, flue gas and ambient air; grab, composite and continuous sampling techniques.
Water physico-chemical
pH, conductivity, turbidity, colour, suspended solids, COD, BOD, TOC, alkalinity, nitrogen and phosphorus species.
Elemental analysis
Determination of heavy metals and trace elements in water, soil and waste by ICP-OES and ICP-MS.
Organic pollutants
Volatile organic compounds, PAH, PCB and organochlorine pesticides by GC-MS; hydrocarbon oil index.
Flue gas
Measurement of dust, SO2, NOx, CO, O2, moisture and total gaseous organic carbon; quality assurance of automated measuring systems.
Leaching and waste characterisation
Leaching tests and waste classification parameters; the basis for the disposal decision.
Commonly confused in this field
- An analytical result cannot be used on its own without the sampling record; the time, point, conditions and chain of custody are part of the report.
- Total content and leachable amount give different information; in waste classification, leaching behaviour is what counts.
- Emission measurement must be made under representative operating conditions of the plant; a result taken at partial load is misleading.
- Drinking water and waste water limits are defined in different legislation; the same parameter carries a different threshold under the two regimes.
- A sample from a single point does not represent the whole area; assessment of a contaminated site requires a grid-based sampling plan.
Which decisions these results support
- Compliance with environmental permits and discharge limits
- Quality assurance of continuous emission measurement systems
- Contaminated site assessment and the remediation decision
- Waste classification and selection of the disposal method
- Workplace exposure measurements and occupational health obligations
Related Tests
Frequently Asked Questions About Microplastics
Our formulation has no plastic microbeads — is analysis needed?
The restriction covers not only microbeads but all synthetic polymer microparticles meeting the definition; some film-forming and thickening polymers are also within scope. Reviewing the INCI list is usually the first step, with analysis carried out when needed.
Is it enough for the result to say "not found"?
No; the size range and detection limit used must be stated. Without this information the result cannot be compared and does not provide a solid basis for a compliance claim.