Development of a test strategy and industry guideline for the use of post-consumer recyclates for cosmetic and food-related applications (CosPaTox)

Research period: 1 July 2021 to 30 June 2024

The EU's Green Deal aims to ensure that 100% of plastic packaging is recycled and/or recyclable by 2030. This poses a major challenge for the industry, as this target is currently not achievable.

Packaging that was previously used by consumers is particularly important here, as unexpected post-consumer (PCR) substances can enter the cycle. If these substances are unknown, a worst-case assumption must be made and the substances must be categorised as potentially mutagenic. PCR materials pose a particular challenge for food packaging, as the packaged food is consumed and potentially mutagenic substances ultimately enter the body via the stomach. The situation is different for cosmetic products, detergents and cleaning agents. The products often only come into contact with the body/skin in highly diluted form and usually in considerably smaller quantities. In principle, a distinction is made between cosmetics that remain on the skin (leave-on) and those that are washed off (rinse-off). Rinse-off products such as shower gel, hair shampoo or detergents are of particular interest here, as potentially problematic substances can be washed out quickly, which is not the case with leave-on cosmetics.

To date, there is no standardised safety assessment for the use of recyclates in cosmetics packaging, which is why the CosPaTox consortium has set itself the goal of developing a voluntary safety standard for high-quality post-consumer plastic recyclates for cosmetics packaging (rinse-off and leave-on) and household packaging (detergents and cleaning agents) as part of the project.

You can find more information about the project here

Project goals

• Assessment of the state of the art and possible implementation of the TTC concept for the use of recycled materials for cosmetics packaging (rinse-off and leave-on products) as well as cleaning and detergent packaging
• Estimation of the presence of DNA-reactive substances in selected packaging using the Ames MPFTM
• Development of a sample preparation strategy (migration, concentration and solvent exchange) for the application of samples with the Ames MPFTM.
• Development of an industry standard for the use of recycled materials in cosmetic, cleaning and detergent packaging.

Research Center Sustainability Assessment and Packaging Solutions