DIN EN ISO 21149:2009 Cosmetics - Microbiology - Enumeration and detection of aerobic mesophilic bacteria (ISO 21149:2006); English version of DIN EN ISO 21149:2009-10
This International Standard gives general guidelines for enumeration and detection of mesophilic aerobic
bacteria present in cosmetics,
by counting the colonies on agar medium after aerobic incubation, or
by checking the absence of bacterial growth after enrichment.
Because of the large variety of cosmetic products within this field of application, this method may not be
appropriate for some products in every detail (e.g. certain water immiscible products). Other methods
(e.g. automated) may be substituted for the tests presented here provided that their equivalence has been
demonstrated or the method has been otherwise validated.
If needed, microorganisms enumerated or detected may be identified using suitable identification tests
described in the standards given in the Bibliography.
In order to ensure product quality and safety for consumers, it is advisable to perform an appropriate
microbiological risk analysis, so as to determine the types of cosmetic products to which this International
Standard is applicable. Products considered to present a low microbiological risk include those with low water
activity, hydro-alcoholic products, extreme pH values, etc.
DIN EN ISO 21149:2009 Referenced Document
ISO 21148:2005 Cosmetics - Microbiology - General instructions for microbiological examination
DIN EN ISO 21149:2009 history
2023DIN EN ISO 21149:2023-01 Cosmetics - Microbiology - Enumeration and detection of aerobic mesophilic bacteria (ISO 21149:2017 + Amd 1:2022); German version EN ISO 21149:2017 + A1:2022
2017DIN EN ISO 21149:2017 Cosmetics - Microbiology - Enumeration and detection of aerobic mesophilic bacteria (ISO 21149:2017); German version EN ISO 21149:2017
2009DIN EN ISO 21149:2009 Cosmetics - Microbiology - Enumeration and detection of aerobic mesophilic bacteria (ISO 21149:2006); English version of DIN EN ISO 21149:2009-10