BS EN ISO 18416:2009

This International Standard gives general guidelines for the detection and identification of the specified microorganism Candida albicans in cosmetic products. Microorganisms considered as specified in this International Standard might differ from country to country according to national practices or regulations.

In order to ensure product quality and safety for consumers, it is advisable to perform an appropriate microbiological risk analysis so as to determine the types of cosmetic product to which this International Standard is applicable. Products considered to present a low microbiological risk include those with low water activity, hydro-alcoholic products, those with extreme pH values, etc.

The method described in this International Standard is based on the detection of Candida albicans in a non-selective liquid medium (enrichment broth), followed by isolation on a selective agar medium. Other methods may be appropriate dependent on the level of detection required.

NOTE For the detection of Candida albicans, subcultures can be performed on non-selective culture media followed by suitable identification steps (e.g. using identification kits).

Because of the large variety of cosmetic products within this field of application, this method might not be suited in every detail to some products (e.g. certain water-immiscible products). Other International Standards (e.g. ISO 18415) might be appropriate. Other methods (e.g. automated) can be substituted for the test presented here provided that their equivalence has been demonstrated or the method has been otherwise validated.