Human exposure to N-nitrosamines can occur through diverse sources such as environment, food, or personal care products. As a result of their perceived carcinogenic potential on several animal species, minimization of exposure to N-nitrosamines is recognized as important to the preservation of human health. Among N-nitrosamines, N-nitrosodiethanolamine (NDELA) has been recognized as a potential contaminant of cosmetics.

In this context, several analytical methods have been developed to detect and determine its presence in cosmetics, such as gas chromatography/thermal energy analysis, high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) coupled either with photolysis and colourimetric quantification or with mass spectrometry (MS) determination. This latter method uses advanced technology to ensure the maximum specificity towards NDELA, to minimize the risk of artefactual formation of the analyte of interest and to allow precise quantification.

This analytical method uses high performance liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry to separate and detect trace levels of NDELA from a cosmetic ingredient or product matrix with maximum specificity for NDELA.

Scope

This International Standard describes a method for the detection and quantification of N-nitrosodiethanolamine (NDELA) in cosmetics and raw materials used in cosmetics.

This method is not applicable to the detection and/or quantification of nitrosamines other than NDELA nor to …