Stability

Stability carries two distinct meanings depending on the product group. In FURNITURE, stability means resistance to tipping over: loads defined in the standard are applied to the product at defined points, and whether it tips is observed. In COSMETIC AND PHARMACEUTICAL PRODUCTS, stability is monitoring under controlled temperature and humidity conditions whether the product retains its physical, chemical and microbiological properties over its shelf life.

In furniture, the purpose is to verify the product does not tip over under foreseeable use, particularly children climbing on it — tipped-over cabinets and TV units are a serious source of injury. In cosmetics and pharmaceuticals, the purpose is to support the declared shelf life and storage condition with data.

• Cabinets, bookcases, chests of drawers and TV stands
• Tables and chairs
• Cosmetic products (cream, lotion, shampoo)
• Pharmaceutical formulations and packaged products
• Food supplements

• TS EN 1022 (seating — determination of stability)
• TS EN 1730 (tables — stability tests)
• TS EN 16121 / 16122 (storage furniture — stability)
• ICH Q1A(R2) (stability testing of new drug substances and products)
• ICH Q1B (photostability)
• ISO 18811 (guidelines on stability testing of cosmetic products)

Furniture

Vertical and horizontal loads defined in the standard, applied at defined points

Pharmaceutical — long term

Long-term storage condition defined in ICH Q1A, chosen according to climatic zone

Pharmaceutical — accelerated

Accelerated condition defined in ICH Q1A; typically monitored for six months

Cosmetics

Monitoring under room, high-temperature, low-temperature and cyclic conditions

• Stability (tip-over) test platform and loading rigs
• Climate chambers (temperature and humidity controlled)
• Photostability chamber
• HPLC and analytical measurement systems
• pH meter, viscometer and microbiological facilities

• A fully assembled product for furniture; the declared use class must be provided
• Specimen with its market packaging for cosmetics and pharmaceuticals
• A separate specimen is required for each time point to be pulled
• Formulation, packaging material and batch information must be provided

The furniture stability test is short. Cosmetic and pharmaceutical stability studies are inherently long: the accelerated condition typically runs six months, and the long-term study runs for the declared shelf life, with specimens pulled at defined time points.

1. 1For furniture, the product is placed on the defined floor and conditioned.
2. 2Vertical and horizontal loads are applied at the points defined in the standard; tipping is observed.
3. 3For cosmetics and pharmaceuticals, specimens are placed in chambers at the defined conditions.
4. 4Specimens are pulled at the defined time points.
5. 5Appearance, pH, viscosity, active substance content, degradation products and microbiological properties are measured.
6. 6Results are assessed as a trend over time.

In furniture, the acceptance criterion is that the product does not tip over under the defined loads. In cosmetics and pharmaceuticals, it is that specification limits are maintained over the shelf life; the limits are defined in the product's own specification, and come from the pharmacopoeia monograph where one exists.

In furniture, each loading point is assessed separately; passing at one point does not cover another. In pharmaceuticals and cosmetics, accelerated results alone do not determine shelf life — they support the long-term data; if a significant change is seen, an intermediate condition study is required.

• Product identification and test scope
• Loads applied, points and tip-over observation for furniture
• Storage conditions and time points for cosmetics and pharmaceuticals
• Measurement results for each time point
• Trend assessment and conclusion

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.

• (EU) 2023/988 General Product Safety Regulation
• (EC) 1223/2009 Cosmetic Products Regulation
• 2001/83/EC Directive on Medicinal Products for Human Use

The section below describes the field that the Stability 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.

• Strength
• Durability
• Fatigue
• Surface Resistance
• Load Test
• Bunk Bed Safety
• Chair Test
• Table Test
• Cabinet Test
• Impact
• Flammability
• Formaldehyde