The personal care industry is facing a new wave of scrutiny. As consumers become more informed, they are demanding greater transparency about the ingredients in their products. Questions around persistence, bioaccumulation, ecotoxicity and endocrine disruption are becoming more common, putting brands under increasing pressure to prove that their ingredients are both safe and sustainable.

Yet, despite this rising concern, testing for biodegradation and environmental impact remains slow, expensive and complex. And while regulatory oversight is tightening in some areas, gaps still exist—particularly in the EU, where there is still debate on appropriate regulation for endocrine disruptors and ambiguous requirements on persistence testing depending on the substance type. This regulatory inconsistency leaves personal care, beauty and cosmetics brands in a difficult position:

How do they balance consumer expectations, evolving industry standards and the practical challenges of ingredient biodegradability testing?

Here are four key things scientists and R&D teams should know about biodegradability testing for personal care, beauty and cosmetic formulations.

1.) The Industry is Asking Tough Questions About Personal Care and Cosmetic Ingredient Safety

Consumers and environmental groups are pushing for more transparency about the long-term impact of cosmetic and personal care ingredients. Some of the biggest concerns include:

  • Persistence: How long does a personal care or cosmetic ingredient remain in the environment? Are there persistent or toxic byproducts that result from primary biodegradation? Does it break down naturally, or require specific treatment at wastewater plants?
  • Bioaccumulation: Are certain ingredients building up in ecosystems or even human tissue over prolonged exposure?
  • Ecotoxicity: Could these chemicals be harmful to organisms in any way when they enter the water supply?
  • Endocrine Disruption: Are any beauty or personal care ingredients interfering with hormonal balance in humans or wildlife?

These concerns are not just theoretical. Studies have shown that certain chemicals used in personal care, beauty and cosmetic products linger in the environment and have unintended biological effects. Consumers are taking notice, and brands that fail to provide clear answers risk losing credibility and market share.

2.) Traditional Biodegradability and Environmental Testing Methods for Personal Care are Slow and Costly

Despite the urgency, testing for biodegradability and environmental impact in personal care and beauty formulations remains a significant hurdle. Traditional testing methods are:

  • Slow: Some biodegradation tests take months or even years to deliver results.
  • Expensive: The high costs of laboratory testing make it inaccessible to many personal care, beauty and cosmetics brands, particularly smaller or indie brands.
  • Inconsistent: With regulations varying between regions, personal care companies must navigate a patchwork of ingredient requirements, often leading to confusion and delays.

The personal care and cosmetics industry needs a faster, more cost-effective way to prove ingredient sustainability without sacrificing accuracy or credibility.

3.) Vague Regulatory Requirements in the EU Can Be a Barrier to Accurate Claims

The European Union (EU) is often seen as a leader in cosmetic and environmental regulations. Most personal care and cosmetics companies are familiar with the EU Ecolabel for personal care and animal care products. However, the EU’s lack of strict guidelines on endocrine disruptors and its ambiguous requirements for biodegradation for different substance types can present challenges to formulators.

Read more about EU Ecolabel Criteria for Cosmetic Products and Animal Care Products

For example, the EU relies on a “one substance, one assessment” principle, which reduces the need for redundant testing. Data is required to come from ISO/IEC 17025:2017 accredited and GLP-compliant labs. This data is often missing or incomplete—particularly for suppliers who haven’t previously shipped into the EU.

In some cases, supplier data may be outdated, inadequate or generated from non-GLP sources. This forces personal care, beauty and cosmetics formulators to either rely on questionable data or invest in costly, time-consuming testing themselves.

This lack of standardized, reliable data can create significant roadblocks for brands aiming to make accurate sustainability claims in the EU.

4.) Faster, More Affordable Biodegradability Testing is now Available for Personal Care Companies

With regulatory gaps persisting, personal care and cosmetics brands that proactively invest in better testing methods will have a competitive advantage. Not only will they be prepared for future regulations, but they will also build consumer trust by providing proof of sustainability before it becomes a requirement.

Among the most widely used test methods for assessing biodegradation in cosmetics, beauty and personal care are OECD 301 and OECD 302. These tests help determine whether an ingredient is readily or inherently biodegradable under aerobic conditions, and are often key to making eco-label or regulatory compliance claims.

Luckily, new innovations and advancements in biodegradability testing are making these tests more affordable and accessible for personal care brands.

Aropha is leading the charge by offering new cost-effective, data-driven approaches to ingredient testing. The US-based biodegradation testing company developed industry-first AI predictive modeling, pre-testing simulations, high-throughput screenings and laboratory automations that:

  • Cut biodegradability testing costs by up to 40%
  • Shorten product development cycles by up to 6 months
  • Provide personal care and beauty brands with rapid, clear and actionable data to validate sustainability

Aropha offers the fastest, most affordable and most reliable OECD 301 and 302 testing services available—backed by GLP compliance, automation technologies and expert study design support tailored to the needs of personal care companies. Unlike traditional labs, testing is started within 1-2 weeks.

Aropha’s team of experts provides support in test selection, study design and regulatory alignment to ensure that biodegradability claims can be backed by scientifically robust, regulator-ready data. The streamlined approach allows personal care, beauty and cosmetics R&D teams to reduce waste and make better-informed formulation decisions faster.

The Future of Personal Care Biodegradability: Where Do We Go from Here?

As the industry shifts toward biodegradable ingredients and eco-friendly formulations, personal care and cosmetics companies that embrace faster, more efficient testing methods will be better positioned to lead. Consumers are becoming more informed, and they’re demanding data—not just marketing claims. Formulators who invest in trusted testing partners and newer technologies are better equipped to respond to ingredient concerns with transparency, speed and scientific confidence.

Aropha’s introduction of faster, more cost-effective biodegradation testing is creating an opportunity for brands to become proactive. By doing so, they can secure a position as industry leaders, stay ahead of consumer expectations and build long-term resilience against future regulatory shifts.

The key takeaway? Sustainability in personal care and cosmetic ingredients isn’t just about marketing claims; it’s about proving impact with real data. By leveraging advanced biodegradability testing, personal care, beauty and cosmetics brands can future-proof their formulations, reduce environmental harm and build lasting consumer trust.

If you’re looking to accelerate your sustainability efforts and get biodegradable ingredients to market faster, now is the time to rethink how you approach ingredient testing. Contact Aropha to get started.