Scientific Evaluation for Safe, Compliant, and High-Quality Products

In today’s global beauty and wellness industry, cosmetic and personal care product testing has become more critical than ever. With rising consumer awareness, stringent safety regulations, and growing demand for transparency, brands are expected to ensure that every product applied to skin, hair, eyes, lips, or mucous membranes is safe, effective, and compliant.

At METS Lab, our ISO/IEC 17025-accredited testing facility provides comprehensive chemical, microbiological, and performance testing for cosmetic and personal care products in line with Qatar MoPH, QGOSM, and GSO standards.

We help manufacturers, importers, and distributors verify product safety, substantiate claims, and achieve regulatory approval for the Gulf market.

1. Relevance of Cosmetic & Personal Care Product Testing

Cosmetic and personal care testing ensures:

• Consumer Safety:Verification that products are safe for intended use.


• Claim Substantiation: Scientific support for product performance and advertising claims.


• Regulatory Compliance:Adherence to Gulf and international cosmetic safety standards.


• Ethical and Sustainable Formulation: Alignment with eco-conscious and cruelty-free manufacturing practices.

With increased scrutiny from both consumers and regulators, independent testing is no longer optional — it’s essential to build consumer trust and regulatory credibility.

2. Regulatory Framework in Qatar & GCC

In the GCC, cosmetic and personal care products are regulated under harmonized Gulf standards to ensure safety, authenticity, and compliance.

Applicable Standards and References:

• GSO 1943:2024 – Cosmetic Products – Safety Requirements of Cosmetics and Personal Care Products


• GSO 2528:2024 – Technical Regulation of Cosmetic and Personal Care Product Claims


• MoPH (Qatar Ministry of Public Health) – Import and market approval for cosmetics


• QGOSM (Qatar General Organization for Standards & Metrology) – Conformity and pre-shipment verification

Key Regulatory Requirements:

• All cosmetic products must comply with GSO 1943:2024 & GSO 2528:2024.


• Test reports from ISO/IEC 17025-accredited laboratories are mandatory for conformity documentation.


• Products must meet restricted and prohibited substance limits as per GSO/MoPH.


• Non-compliant products may be rejected at customs or banned from sale.

3. Specific MoPH & QGOSM Testing Recommendations

QGOSM and MoPH have mandated several targeted chemical safety tests for cosmetics imported or manufactured in Qatar.

A. 1,4-Dioxane in Hair Care Products

• Found as a byproduct in ingredients containing “xynol,” “eth,” “oleth,” “PEG,” or “ceteareth.”


• Permissible Limit: ≤ 10 ppm (as per GSO 1943).


• Mandatory for shampoos, conditioners, and hair treatments.

B. Formaldehyde in Keratin-Based Products

• Applicable to hair straightening, keratin, or protein-based formulations.


• Includes testing for formaldehyde releasers like DMDM Hydantoin, Imidazolidinyl Urea, Bronopol, and Quaternium-15.


• Permissible Limit: As per GSO 1943:2024.

C. Phenylenediamine (PPD) in Hair Dye & Henna Products

• Required for pre-shipment verification of henna and hair coloring formulations.


• Ensures compliance with QGOSM’s restricted substance regulations.

4. METS Laboratories’s Role in Ensuring Consumer Safety & Product Compliance

METS Lab supports manufacturers, importers, and formulators throughout the entire product development and registration journey, offering end-to-end testing and compliance services.

We provide:

• Physical, chemical, instrumental, and microbiological analysis of all cosmetic categories.
• Claim substantiation support for product efficacy and safety labeling.
• Regulatory documentation required for MoPH and GCC market clearance.
• Quality verification during product development and post-market surveillance.

Our expertise ensures your products are safe, effective, and fully compliant with GSO, SASO, and MoPH standards.

5. Cosmetic Categories and Test Parameters

Below are typical test parameters and methods applied to various cosmetic categories tested at METS Lab:

A. Hair Care Products

Tests Include:

• Active detergent matter content


• pH, viscosity, moisture & volatile matter


• Formaldehyde and 1,4-dioxane quantification


• Parabens, ethanol, volatile organic compounds (VOCs)


• Allergens, PPD, toxic chemicals

Applicable Methods & Standards:

ISO 2870:2009, ISO 2871-1:2010, ISO 2271:1989, ASTM D6173, ASTM D1681-05, GSO 1943, GSO 2161, GSO 2555, ISO 21150, ISO 18416, DIN 53019, SASO 2919, EAS 960

B. Body Care Products

Tests Include:

• pH, total active matter, fatty matter, and alkali content
• Antimicrobial activity and lather performance
• Heavy metals (Pb, As, Hg) and toxic contaminants
• Ethanol insoluble matter, phosphates, chlorides, allergens

Applicable Methods & Standards:

GSO 2019, GSO 1202, GSO 1894, ISO 2871-2, ISO 21149, ISO 22717, ISO 18416, SASO 2803, GSO 152/2007, GSO 2555, ISO 2870, EAS 847-20

C. Skin Care Products

Tests Include:

• Hydroquinone, corticosteroids, and hydrogen peroxide
• Parabens, phthalates, allergens, BHA, and PEGs
• Synthetic colorants, mineral oils, and heavy metals
• Microbiological purity and preservative efficacy

Applicable Standards:

SASO 2185, GSO 1152, GSO 205/1994, GSO 1046:2021, GSO 1943, GSO 1154/2002, GSO 1155/2002

D. Baby Care Products

Tests Include:

• Heavy metal analysis and moisture content
• pH, total fatty matter, and acid number
• Lard or derivative detection
• Parabens, phthalates, formaldehyde, talc, fragrance screening

Applicable Standards:

GSO 1895, GSO 1098, ISO 672, ISO 684

E. Oral Hygiene Products

Tests Include:

• Fluoride concentration and pH
• Heavy metals (Pb, Cd, As, Hg)
• Abrasivity and stability against aging
• Demineralization and strength determination

Applicable Standards:

ISO 16408:2004, ISO 11609:1995(E), ISO 28158:2018

6. Analytical Capabilities at METS Laboratories

Our laboratory is equipped with state-of-the-art analytical and microbiological instruments, including:

• HPLC, GC-MS, ICP-MS, and UV/Vis Spectrophotometers for chemical profiling
• FTIR and AAS for ingredient verification and trace metal analysis
• Microbial incubators and biosafety cabinets for microbiological purity testing
• pH meters, viscometers, and texture analyzers for physical characterization

7. Why Choose METS Laboratories for Cosmetic Testing

• ISO/IEC 17025-Accredited Laboratory recognized by Qatar MoPH
• Comprehensive Testing Coverage across all cosmetic categories
• Advanced Instrumentation ensuring precision and traceability
• Regulatory Expertise in GSO 1943:2024 and GSO 2528:2024
• Fast Turnaroundand Detailed Compliance Reporting
• End-to-End Supportfrom formulation to pre-market approval

8. Safeguarding Beauty Through Science

At METS Lab, we empower brands and importers to bring safe, high-quality, and compliant cosmetic products to market.

Our testing and verification services uphold consumer safety, regulatory compliance, and brand integrity, ensuring every product that reaches the shelf meets GCC, MoPH, and GSO safety standards.