Strategies BPOM Officially Enforces Maximum Heavy Metal Contamination Limits: Does Your Cosmetic Product Pass the Test?
Maximum heavy metal contamination limits in cosmetics are an important consideration for cosmetic manufacturers and businesses in Indonesia. The Indonesian Food and Drug Authority (BPOM) has updated its requirements for contaminants in cosmetic products to ensure that products available on the market meet applicable safety standards.
But what are the permitted limits for Pb, Hg, As, and Cd in cosmetics, and how are these contaminants tested?
Daftar Isi:
- BPOM Regulation on Cosmetic Contaminants
- What Are the Maximum Heavy Metal Limits in Cosmetics?
- What Happens If a Product Exceeds the Contamination Limits?
- How Are Heavy Metals Tested in Cosmetics?
BPOM Regulation on Cosmetic Contaminants
The latest requirements for cosmetic contaminants are established under BPOM Regulation No. 16 of 2024 on Contaminant Limits in Cosmetics. The regulation was issued on September 3, 2024, promulgated on September 18, 2024, and replaced BPOM Regulation No. 12 of 2019. It became effective 12 months after its promulgation.
The regulatory update was introduced partly to align Indonesian requirements with ASEAN standards. One notable change is the reduction of the maximum limit for 1,4-dioxane contamination from 25 ppm to 10 ppm.
In general, the regulation covers three major categories of contaminants in cosmetics: microbial contaminants, heavy metal contaminants, and chemical contaminants. In addition, BPOM Decree No. 627 of 2025 establishes testing parameters that must be included in the Certificate of Analysis (CoA) for applications for Border Import Certificates (Surat Keterangan Impor/SKI Border).
These parameters include microbiological and heavy metal testing, with the CoA valid for a maximum of one year from its date of issuance.
Read Also:
5 Types of Testing Required Before a Cosmetic Product Can Be Registered with BPOM
What Are the Maximum Heavy Metal Limits in Cosmetics?
Four key heavy metal parameters that require attention are lead (Pb), mercury (Hg), arsenic (As), and cadmium (Cd). The applicable maximum limits are:
– Lead (Pb): ≤ 20 ppm
– Mercury (Hg): ≤ 1 ppm
– Arsenic (As): ≤ 5 ppm
– Cadmium (Cd): ≤ 5 ppm
These elements must be controlled because excessive exposure may pose health risks. Mercury is highly toxic and may affect multiple organs, while lead exposure can interfere with various physiological systems.
Arsenic is recognized as a carcinogenic substance and may affect organs and systems including the liver and nervous system. Cadmium, meanwhile, can accumulate in the kidneys and bones, making long-term exposure a significant health concern.
For this reason, heavy metal testing in cosmetics is an essential part of product quality control and safety assurance.
What Happens If a Product Exceeds the Contamination Limits?
Compliance with maximum heavy metal contamination limits in cosmetics is not only a consumer safety issue but also a regulatory requirement. Products that fail to meet applicable requirements may be subject to administrative measures, including written warnings, temporary suspension of activities, product recalls and destruction, and revocation of product notification numbers.
BPOM also continues to strengthen its surveillance of illegal cosmetics and products containing hazardous substances. Depending on the nature and severity of the violation, businesses may also face criminal sanctions under applicable Indonesian health regulations.
How Are Heavy Metals Tested in Cosmetics?
Accurate and validated analytical methods are required to determine whether Pb, Hg, As, and Cd concentrations comply with regulatory limits. Two commonly used instrumental techniques are Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry (AAS) and Inductively Coupled Plasma (ICP).
1. Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry (AAS)
AAS is widely used for quantitative determination of metallic elements. It provides good sensitivity and can be applied to elements such as Pb, Hg, As, and Cd, depending on the instrument configuration and validated analytical method.
Graphite Furnace AAS (GF-AAS) can provide higher sensitivity than flame AAS for certain applications, making it useful when analytes are present at low concentrations.
2. ICP-OES and ICP-MS
ICP-based techniques offer multi-element analytical capabilities. ICP-OES determines elements through optical emission, while ICP-MS uses mass spectrometry and can achieve very low detection limits. ICP-MS can simultaneously determine multiple elements with high sensitivity, making it particularly useful for cosmetic heavy metal testing when several contaminants must be analyzed at low concentrations.
Conclusion
The implementation of maximum heavy metal contamination limits in cosmetics reflects Indonesia's increasingly stringent approach to cosmetic safety. Cosmetic manufacturers should pay close attention to the limits of Pb ≤ 20 ppm, Hg ≤ 1 ppm, As ≤ 5 ppm, and Cd ≤ 5 ppm to ensure regulatory compliance.
Testing using AAS, ICP-OES, or ICP-MS should be selected according to the sample matrix, analytical objectives, and validated methodology. Proper testing not only supports BPOM compliance but also strengthens product safety, consumer confidence, and competitiveness in the cosmetic market.
So, does your cosmetic product pass the heavy metal test? Make sure Pb, Hg, As, and Cd levels are properly tested using an appropriate validated analytical method before your product reaches the market.
Ensure Your Product Passes Heavy Metal Contamination Testing
Do not let heavy metal contamination compromise your product’s safety and compliance. Verify mercury (Hg), lead (Pb), arsenic (As), and cadmium (Cd) levels through reliable laboratory testing. Consultation and submit your product for heavy metal testing with IML Testing & Research today.
Author: Elmira
Editor: Lina
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