Shop
Our Services
Shelf Life & PAO Assessment
Shelf Life and PAO Assessment evaluates how long a cosmetic product remains stable and safe before and after opening to support regulatory compliance and accurate product labeling.
Price per sample:
$60
Additional information
| Turnaround Time | 7 days |
|---|---|
| Sample Size | Stability report; PET report (if available); Ingredient list |
Shelf Life and Period After Opening (PAO) Assessment shows how long a cosmetic product stays safe and stable before and after opening. This evaluation helps you assign the correct expiration date and PAO symbol for your packaging. As a result, your product stays compliant with global cosmetic regulations.
Pentyl Labs performs Shelf Life & PAO Assessment by reviewing stability data, microbiological risk, preservative performance, water activity, and packaging compatibility. We monitor your product for changes in appearance, color, odor, pH, viscosity, and weight loss. We test these factors under real-time and accelerated conditions, so you receive a clear picture of long-term stability.
If your product contains water, it may also require Preservative Effectiveness Testing (USP <51> or ISO 11930). These tests confirm that your preservative system continues to work over time. In addition, water activity testing helps determine if your product can support microbial growth. Low-water formulas—such as balms, oils, and anhydrous products—often fall into a low-risk category. However, water activity data is needed to document this exemption.
Shelf Life & PAO Assessment supports:
-
EU and UK cosmetic regulations
-
Retailer approvals (Amazon, Ulta, Sephora)
-
New product development and reformulations
We assign a shelf life based on how long the unopened product remains stable under proper storage conditions. We assign a PAO value based on how long the product stays safe during normal use. Common PAO values include 6M, 12M, 18M, 24M, and up to 36M, depending on formulation type, packaging, and microbiological risk. With this data, your labeling, safety files, and regulatory documents stay accurate and defensible.
Description
Shelf Life and Period After Opening (PAO) Assessment shows how long a cosmetic product stays safe and stable before and after opening. This evaluation helps you assign the correct expiration date and PAO symbol for your packaging. As a result, your product stays compliant with global cosmetic regulations.
Pentyl Labs performs Shelf Life & PAO Assessment by reviewing stability data, microbiological risk, preservative performance, water activity, and packaging compatibility. We monitor your product for changes in appearance, color, odor, pH, viscosity, and weight loss. We test these factors under real-time and accelerated conditions, so you receive a clear picture of long-term stability.
If your product contains water, it may also require Preservative Effectiveness Testing (USP <51> or ISO 11930). These tests confirm that your preservative system continues to work over time. In addition, water activity testing helps determine if your product can support microbial growth. Low-water formulas—such as balms, oils, and anhydrous products—often fall into a low-risk category. However, water activity data is needed to document this exemption.
Shelf Life & PAO Assessment supports:
-
EU and UK cosmetic regulations
-
Retailer approvals (Amazon, Ulta, Sephora)
-
New product development and reformulations
We assign a shelf life based on how long the unopened product remains stable under proper storage conditions. We assign a PAO value based on how long the product stays safe during normal use. Common PAO values include 6M, 12M, 18M, 24M, and up to 36M, depending on formulation type, packaging, and microbiological risk. With this data, your labeling, safety files, and regulatory documents stay accurate and defensible.
