Heavy Metals Testing in Cosmetics at Auriga
Cosmetic brands selling in India face the Drugs and Cosmetics Act 2020 and its heavy metal limits under GSR 513(E). A single exceedance of the lead (20 ppm), arsenic (5 ppm), or mercury (1 ppm) limit triggers CDSCO adulteration findings, import licence denial, retail withdrawal, and reputational damage. Auriga Research provides NABL-accredited heavy metals testing in cosmetics by ICP-MS at ppb-level detection, covering both the Indian GSR 513(E) panel and EU Cosmetics Regulation 1223/2009 in a single analytical run.
Our scope covers the core GSR 513(E) panel (lead, arsenic, mercury, cadmium), the extended export panel (chromium Cr(VI) by speciation, nickel, barium, antimony, selenium), prohibited heavy metal pigment screening for colour cosmetics, and EU 1223/2009 Annex II / Annex III compliance reporting for export-bound product. The ICP-MS detection threshold means trace contamination in raw materials is identifiable even when the finished product shows borderline compliance, enabling supplier qualification at the raw-material stage rather than after batch production failure.
Backed by 5 ICP-MS units across 3 labs (Delhi, Baddi, and Bangalore) and the Arbro Group's unbroken NABL ISO/IEC 17025:2017 accreditation since 2003, our reports are accepted by CDSCO for cosmetic product registration and Form 39 import submissions, by BIS for ISI and CRS mark applications, by Indian e-commerce marketplaces for listing approvals, and by international buyers conducting vendor qualification on Indian-origin cosmetics.
Six Regulatory Heavy Metal Limits
Each card shows the metal, the Indian GSR 513(E) limit, the parallel EU 1223/2009 status, and the consequence of exceeding the limit. Cadmium and nickel limits are flagged for lab-team confirmation before they appear on quotes.
Lead — 20 ppm
GSR 513(E) maximum 20 ppm. EU 1223/2009 lists lead as a prohibited substance (Annex II). Sources: mineral pigments, lead-acetate hair dye legacy products, contaminated talc and clay. Exceeding the limit triggers CDSCO adulteration findings and retail withdrawal.
Arsenic — 5 ppm
GSR 513(E) maximum 5 ppm. EU 1223/2009 prohibits arsenic and its compounds (Annex II). Sources: mineral pigments, clay, talc, water contamination. Exceeding the limit triggers CDSCO adulteration findings and import licence denial.
Mercury — 1 ppm
GSR 513(E) maximum 1 ppm. EU 1223/2009 prohibits mercury and its compounds (Annex II). Highest risk in skin-lightening creams. Exceeding the limit triggers CDSCO adulteration findings and consumer-safety enforcement.
Cadmium — Limit to be Confirmed
GSR 513(E) cadmium limit to be confirmed with the lab team before publishing on a quote. BIS product-specific standards commonly cite 5 ppm. EU 1223/2009 prohibits cadmium and its compounds (Annex II). Sources: mineral pigments and contaminated raw materials.
Chromium Cr(VI) — 5 ppm
Hexavalent chromium typical limit 5 ppm. EU 1223/2009 prohibits Cr(VI) compounds (Annex II). Required where chrome-based pigments are present. ICP-MS with speciation distinguishes Cr(III) from Cr(VI).
Nickel — EU Export Limit TBC
Nickel EU export limit to be confirmed with the lab team. EU 1223/2009 Annex II and III restrict nickel in cosmetic products and skin-contact items. Major allergen concern; relevant for cosmetics intended for EU and UK markets.
5 ICP-MS Units Across 3 Labs
ppb-level detection across all heavy metals in a single simultaneous multi-element run. The same instrument fleet that serves pharmaceutical ICH Q3D(R2), FSSAI food, and IS 10500 water elemental testing — repurposed for the cosmetics GSR 513(E) and EU 1223/2009 panel.
Delhi
1 ICP-MS
Baddi
1 ICP-MS
Bangalore
2 ICP-MS + ICP-OES
5th Unit
Lab location TBC
Multi-element simultaneous acquisition covers Pb, As, Hg, Cd, Cr (Cr III and Cr VI by speciation), Ni, Ba, Sb, and Se in a single analytical run. See full ICP-MS instrument scope →
How It Works
Get a Quote
Share your product type and the heavy metals panel you need tested (GSR 513(E) core, EU export, prohibited-pigment screening). Your dedicated SPOC will confirm the exact metals, methodology, and sample quantity required for your panel before you dispatch anything.
Send Your Sample
Dispatch your sample with a completed Test Request Form to the nearest Auriga lab. Each sample is individually bar coded and registered in YLIMS, Auriga's in-house Laboratory Information Management System, upon receipt. Testing begins within 24 hours of sample registration.
ICP-MS Analysis and QA Review
Your sample is digested and analysed on ICP-MS by Auriga's elemental analysis team. Multi-element acquisition covers the GSR 513(E) panel plus extended elements in a single run. Every result passes through formal internal QA review and sign-off before the report is generated.
Receive Your NABL Report
Your NABL-accredited heavy metals test report is delivered digitally within the committed turnaround time. Reports are accepted by CDSCO for cosmetic product registration and Form 39 import, by BIS for ISI / CRS mark applications, and by international buyers. You can track sample status in real time through YLIMS at any point.
Turnaround Time
| Panel | Standard TAT | Express |
|---|---|---|
| GSR 513(E) core panel (Pb, As, Hg, Cd) by ICP-MS | 5 to 7 business days | Available |
| Extended panel including Cr (with Cr VI speciation), Ni, Ba, Sb, Se | 7 to 10 business days | Available |
| EU 1223/2009 export compliance panel | 7 to 10 business days | Available |
| Prohibited heavy metal pigment screening (colour cosmetics) | 5 to 7 business days | Available |
| Raw material supplier qualification (ppb-level trace) | 5 to 7 business days | On request |
| Multi-SKU batch release for retail or marketplace launch | 7 to 12 business days | On request |
Who Needs Cosmetic Heavy Metals Testing
- Cosmetics manufacturers preparing for CDSCO inspection under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act 2020 and GSR 513(E) heavy metal verification.
- Brands applying for BIS certification under IS 4011, IS 7123, IS 4707, IS 13703, IS 9315, or IS 1374 — where heavy metals are a mandatory parameter.
- Cosmetics importers requiring GSR 513(E) compliance documentation before India market entry and Form 39 CDSCO submission.
- Private label manufacturers verifying raw material heavy metal content at the ppb level before formulation and batch production.
- D2C brands sourcing from new mineral pigment, talc, or clay suppliers who need supplier qualification testing before purchase orders.
- Cosmetics exporters to EU, US, and Gulf markets where EU 1223/2009 Annex II / III heavy metal restrictions apply to product entry.
- Colour cosmetic, kohl, kajal, and lip product brands where mineral pigment contamination risk is structurally elevated.
- Brands contesting a CDSCO adulteration finding, BIS non-conformance, or marketplace heavy-metal challenge — full re-test on NABL chain of custody.
Why Auriga for Cosmetic Heavy Metals
5 ICP-MS Units Across 3 Labs
ICP-MS at Delhi (1), Baddi (1), Bangalore (2) plus a 5th unit. ppb-level detection across all GSR 513(E) and EU 1223/2009 elements in a single simultaneous multi-element run.
NABL ISO/IEC 17025:2017 Since 2003
Arbro Group analytical heritage with two decades of unbroken NABL accreditation. Reports accepted by CDSCO, BIS, marketplaces, and international buyers.
GSR 513(E) + EU 1223/2009 in One Run
Both Indian GSR 513(E) and EU Cosmetics Regulation 1223/2009 limits reported on the same CoA. No additional lab needed for multi-market compliance.
Cr(VI) Speciation
Hexavalent chromium (Cr VI) determined separately from trivalent Cr(III) by speciation. Critical for chrome-based pigment systems under EU 1223/2009 Annex II.
Raw Material Qualification
ppb-level detection enables supplier qualification of mineral pigments, talc, clay, and mica at the raw-material stage. Trace contamination is identifiable before batch production rather than after failure.
Same Lab as BIS, Stability, and Form 39
The same Delhi lab issues BIS standards testing, stability studies, and CDSCO Form 39 cosmetic reports. Single vendor for the complete cosmetics quality dossier.