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Consumer Products Testing

Personal Care Products Testing

Many of the products sold in the USA are manufactured in China, Mexico or India where quality control is not necessarily as stringent as in other countries. The components used in manufacture have been known to contain compounds that are regulated in the United States. EMSL Analytical, Inc. has experience analyzing samples for Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS) studies. We routinely use our wide range of analytical techniques to identify components and search for potential health hazards such as lead and formaldehyde. In addition, EMSL Analytical Inc. has a capability to test physical properties such as force to failure, flexural and tensile testing. Scratch resistance of coatings and paint thickness can be coupled with coating identification to assess the potential longevity of the product and associated health issues. Measurements of small parts and the force required to separate them are tests that can determine if the toy may be a choking hazard for children.

Important Information on Lead Testing of Children’s Products

A recent notice in the Federal Register from the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) defines testing requirements applicable to Manufacturers, Labelers or Importers of children’s products that must issue certificates of compliance to the lead paint ban (16 CFR 1303.) According to the notice, testing data used to support these certificates must come from 3^rd party laboratories accredited by an accreditation body that is a signatory to the International Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation-Mutual Recognition Arrangement (“ILAC-MRA”). Children’s products are defined as those intended for use primarily by children 12 years old and younger.

EMSL's Westmon/Cinnaminson, NJ laboratory is A2LA Accredited for Lead and Phalates in Consumer Products and is approved by the CPSC to provide testing services.

Materials and Analytes Tested:

Types of Materials Tested:

Plastic
Metal
Paint and Coatings
Adhesives
Foam and Insulation

Various Testing:

Presence of Lead
Type of Lead (oxide, sulfate, carbonate, etc.)
Chemical Hazards (formaldehyde, benzene, etc.)
Physical Testing (tensile, torsion, flexure)
Melting Point
Effects of Heat and/or Humidity on products

Specialty Testing:

Determine the potential chocking hazards of small parts
Determine if chemicals can leach from the product through the skin or when in a child’s mouth
Determine the auto-ignition, flash point and flammability of products (flame propagation)
Identification of individual components for comparison to the manufacturers claims
Electrical hazard evaluation

Testing Capabilities:

GPC
NMR
FTIR
GC/MS
TEM
ICP
SEM/EDX
Flame AA
Graphite Furnace
XRF
GC
AES
XRD
HPLC
NIR
VOC
OM
PLM
FLM
DSC
TGA
Wet Chemistry
Customized procedures
Plus much more