FINAL DRAFT UGANDA 
STANDARD  
  FDUS EAS 340 
First  Edition  
2013-mm-dd 
 
 Reference number  
FDUS EAS 340: 2013 
© UNBS 201 3 
  
Nail polish  — Specification  
 FDUS EAS 340: 2013 
ii                © UNBS  2013 - All rights reserved  
 Compliance with this standard does not, of itself confer immunity from legal obligations  
A Uganda Standard does not purport to include all necessary provisions of a contract. Users are 
responsible f or its correct application  
© UNBS 20 13 
All rights reserved. Unless otherwise specified, no part of this publication may be reproduced or utilised in any 
form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying and microfilm, without prior wri tten 
permission from UNBS.  
Requests for permission to reproduce this document should be addressed to  
The Executive Director  
Uganda National Bureau of Standards  
P.O. Box 6329  
Kampala  
Uganda  
Tel: 256 41 505 995  
Fax: 256 41 286 123  
E-mail: unbs@infocom.co.ug  
Web: www.unbs.go.ug  
 FDUS EAS 340: 2013 
© UNBS  2013 - All rights reserved                 iii National foreword  
Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS) is a parastatal under the Ministry of Tourism, Trade and 
Industry established under Cap 327, of the Laws of Uganda. UNBS is mandate d to co -ordinate the elaboration 
of standards and is  
(a) a member of International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO) and  
(b) a contact point for the WHO/FAO Codex Alimentarius Commission on Food Standards, and  
(c) the National Enquiry Point on TBT/SPS Agreemen ts of the World Trade Organisation (WTO).  
The work of preparing Uganda Standards is carried out through Technical Committees. A Technical 
Committee is established to deliberate on standards in a given field or area and consists of representatives of 
consum ers, traders, academicians, manufacturers, government and other stakeholders.  
Draft Uganda Standards adopted by the Technical Committee are widely circulated to stakeholders and the 
general public for comments. The committee reviews the comments before rec ommending the draft standards 
for approval and declaration as Uganda Standards by the National Standards Council.  
This Final Draft Uganda Standard, FDUS EAS 340: 2013, Nail polish  — Specification , is identical with  and has 
been r eproduced from an East African  Standard, EAS 340: 2013, Nail polish  — Specification , and is being 
proposed for adoption as a Uganda Standard.  
Wherever the words, “ East African  Standard" appear, they should be replaced by "Uganda Standard."   EAS 340 : 2013 
ICS 71.100.70  
© EAS 2013                                                                                                                          Second Edition 2013  
 
EAST AFRICAN STANDARD  
Nail polish — Specification  
EAST AFRICAN COMMUNITY  
 EAS 340 : 2013 
ii © EAC 2013 – All righ ts reserved  
 Copyright notice  
This EAC document is copyright -protected by EAC. While the reproduction of this document by 
participants in the EAC standards development process is permitted witho ut prior permission from EAC, 
neither this document nor any extract from it may be reproduced, stored or transmitted in any form for 
any other purpose without prior written permission from EAC.  
Requests for permission to reproduce this document for the pur pose of selling it should be addressed 
as shown below or to EAC’s member body in the country of the requester:  
© East African Community  2013 — All rights reserved  
East African Community   
P.O.Box 1096  
Arusha  
Tanzania  
Tel: 255 27 2504253/8  
Fax: 255 27 250448 1/2504255  
E-mail: eac@eachq.org  
       Web: www.eac -quality.net  
Reproduction for sales purposes may be subject to royalty payments or a licensing agreement.  
Violators may be persecuted  
 EAS 340 : 2013 
© EAC 2013 – All rights reserved  iii 
 Contents  Page 
Foreword  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ............................  vi 
1 Scope  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ......................  1 
2 Normative references  ................................ ................................ ................................ ............................  1 
3 Requirements  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ .........  1 
3.1 General requirements  ................................ ................................ ................................ ...........................  1 
3.2 Specific requirements  ................................ ................................ ................................ ...........................  2 
4 Packaging and labelling ................................ ................................ ................................ ........................  2 
4,1 Packaging  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ...............  2 
4.2 Labelling  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ .................  2 
5 Sampling  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ................  3 
Annex A  (normative)    Determination of non -volatile matter  ................................ ................................ ........  4 
A.1 Apparatus  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ...............  4 
A.2 Procedure  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ...............  4 
A.3 Calculation  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ .............  4 
Annex B  (normati ve)   Determination of drying time  ................................ ................................ .....................  5 
B.1 Apparatus  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ...............  5 
B.2 Procedure  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ...............  5 
Annex C  (normative)   Adhesion test  ................................ ................................ ................................ ..............  6 
C.1 Apparatus  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ...............  6 
C.2 Procedure  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ...............  6 
Annex D  (normative)   Scratch test  ................................ ................................ ................................ ..................  7 
D.1 Principle of the method ................................ ................................ ................................ .........................  7 
D.2 Apparatus  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ...............  7 
D.3 Procedure  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ...............  7 
Annex E (normative)   Blush test  ................................ ................................ ................................ ......................  8 
E.1 Apparatus  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ...............  8 
E.2 Procedure  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ...............  8 
Annex F (normative)  Test for lead using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (AAS)  .........................  9 
F.1 Scope  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ......................  9 
F.2 Reagents  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ................  9 
F.3 Standard solutions  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................  9 
F.4 Sample preparation  ................................ ................................ ................................ ...............................  9 
F.5 Instrument conditions  ................................ ................................ ................................ .........................  10 
F.6 Analysis  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ................  11 
F.7 Calculations  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ .........  11 
F.8 Interferences  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ........  11 
Annex G (normative)  Test for arsenic using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (AAS)  .................  12 
G.1 Scope  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ....................  12 
G.2 Reagents  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ..............  12 
G.3 Instrument conditions  ................................ ................................ ................................ .........................  12 
G.4 Sample preparation  ................................ ................................ ................................ .............................  13 
G.5 Analysis  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ................  13 
G.6 Calculation  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ...........  13 
Annex H (normative)  Test for mercury using the Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (AAS) ..........  14 
H.1 Scope  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ....................  14 
H.2 Reagents  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ..............  14 
H.3 Instrument conditions  ................................ ................................ ................................ .........................  14 EAS 340 : 2013 
iv © EAC 2013 – All righ ts reserved  
 H.4 Sample preparation  ................................ ................................ ................................ ............................  15 
H.5 Analysis  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ...............  15 
H.6 Calculations  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ .........  15 EAS 340 : 2013 
© EAC 2013 – All rights reserved  v 
  EAS 340 : 2013 
vi © EAC 2013 – All righ ts reserved  
 Foreword  
Development of the East African Standards has been necessitated by the  need for harmonizing requirements 
governing quality of products and services in the East African Community. It is envisaged that through 
harmonized standardization, trade barriers that are encountered when goods and services are exchanged 
within the Commu nity will be removed.  
In order to achieve this objective, the Community established an East African Standards Committee mandated 
to develop and issue East African Standards.   
The Committee is composed of representatives of the National Standards Bodies in  Partner States, together 
with the representatives from the private sectors and consumer organizations. Draft East African Standards 
are circulated to stakeholders through the National Standards Bodies in the Partner States. The comments 
received are discu ssed and incorporated before finalization of standards, in accordance with the procedures 
of the Community.  
East African Standards are subject to review, to keep pace with technological advances. Users of the East 
African Standards are therefore expected t o ensure that they always have the latest versions of the standards 
they are implementing . 
EAS 340 was prepared by Technical Committee EAS/TC 071, Cosmetics and cosmetic products.  
This second edition cancels and re places the first edition (EAS 340 :2004), w hich has been technically revised   
 EAST AFRICAN STANDARD  EAS 340 :2013 
 
© EAC 2013 – All rights reserved  1 
 Nail polish — Specification  
1 Scope  
This East African Standard specifies the requirements and methods of test for nail polishes used for cosmetic 
purposes.  
2 Normative references  
The following referenced documents are indispensable for the application of this document. For dated 
references, only the edition cited applies. For undated references, the latest edition of the referenced 
document (including any amendments) applies  
EAS 346 , Labelling of cosmetics — General req uirements  
EAS 377 -1, Cosmetics and cosmetic products — Part 1: List of substances prohibited in cosmetic products  
EAS 377 -2, Cosmetics and cosmetic products — Part 2: List of substances which cosmetic products must not 
contain except subject to the restric tions laid down  
EAS 377 -3, Cosmetics and cosmetic products   Part 3: List of colorants allowed in cosmetic products  
EAS 377 -4, Cosmetics and cosmetic products   Part 4: List of preservatives allowed in cosmetic products  
EAS 377 -5, Cosmetics and cosmetic pr oducts  Part 5: Use of UV filters in cosmetic products  
ISO 24153, Random sampling and randomization procedures  
3 Requirements  
3.1 General requirements   
3.1.1 All ingredients used including dyes, pigments and colours shall comply with all parts of EAS 377 . 
3.1.2 Nail polish shall not leave any unacceptable stain on the nail s after being removed with the aid of an 
effective nail polish remover.  
3.1.3 Nail polish shall be glossy on the nails after complete drying when seen visually.  
3.1.4 The resins and sol vents used shall have no undesirable or harmful effects  on the nails for example . 
cracking.  
3.1.5 Nail polish may be coloured, colourless or pearlised  and may contain  natural or artificial pearl 
essence.  EAS 340 : 2013 
2 © EAC 2013 – All righ ts reserved  
 3.2 Specific requi rements  
3.2.1  The nail polish sha ll comply with  the chemical requirements given in Table 1 when tested according to 
the methods prescribed therein.   
Table 1 — Chemical requirements for nail polish  
S/N Characteristic  Requirement  Method of test  
i.  Non-volatile matter, % by 
mass, min.  20 Annex A  
ii.  Drying time in minutes, max.  6 Annex B  
iii.  Adhesion test  To pass the test  Annex C  
iv.  Scratch test  To pass the test  Annex D  
v.  Blush Test  To pass the test  Annex E  
 
3.2.2  The products shall comply with the limits for heavy metal contaminants in acco rdance with Table 2.  
Table 2 — Limits for heavy metal contaminants  
SI No. Characteristic  Limits  Method of test  
i.  Lead, ppm, max . 20 Annex F 
ii.  Arsenic, ppm, max . 2 Annex G 
iii.  Mercury, ppm, max . 2 Annex H 
NOTE  The total amount of heavy metals as lead, mercu ry and arsenic, in combination, in the 
finished product should not exceed 20 ppm.  
 
4 Packaging  and labelling  
4,1 Packaging  
4.1.1 The product shall be pack aged in suitable airtight  well-sealed containers that shall protect the 
contents a nd shall not cause any contamination or react with the product.  
4.1.2 The cap of the container shall carry a brush to apply the polish on the nail.  
4.2 Labelling  
4.2.1 The labelling shall be in English, Kiswahili or French or in combination as agreed between the 
manufacturer  and supplier . 
4.2.2 The labelling shall comply with the requirements of EAS 346 . 
4.2.3 Where the size , shape or nature of container/package does not permit all the information above to be 
displayed, leaflets, hand tags, display panels, shrink wrap and the  like shall be used . EAS 340 : 2013 
© EAC 2013 – All rights reserved  3 
 5 Sampling  
Random samples of the product shall be drawn for test in accordance with ISO 24153 from the market, factory 
or anywhere else.  EAS 340 : 2013 
4 © EAC 2013 – All righ ts reserved  
 Annex A  
(normative)  
  
Determination of non -volatile matter   
A.1 Apparatus  
Flat glass petri -dish, 8 cm diameter  
A.2 Procedure  
Weigh accurately 1.0  g ± 0.2  g of the polish in the petri -dish and place it in an oven at 105  C ± 2 C for one 
hour. Cool to room temperature and weigh the dish. Repeat the process to bring it to constant mass.  
A.3 Calculation  
The non-volatile matter content shall be calculated as follows;  
Non-volatile matter, % by mass  = 
MM (M )1 2 100  
where 
M is the, mass in grams, of the sample taken,  
M1 is the, mass in grams, of the dry and empty petri -dish, and  
M2 is the, mass in  grams, of the petri -dish and dried sample  EAS 340 : 2013 
© EAC 2013 – All rights reserved  5 
 Annex B  
(normative)   
 
Determination of drying time  
B.1 Apparatus  
B.1.1  Microscopic glass slide  
B.1.2  Oven  
B.2 Procedure  
Clean the glass slide with toluene or xylene. Place the slide in an oven maintained at 37 C ± 1 C  for 10 min.  
Remove the slide from the oven, and spread one drop of the nail polish on an area of 1  cm x 2.5 cm on it.  
Place the slide in the oven for 6 min.  On removal, touch the film with the fingertip. The  polish shall be taken to 
have passed  the test if no nail polish material is left on the fingertip.  EAS 340 : 2013 
6 © EAC 2013 – All righ ts reserved  
 Annex C  
(normative)   
 
Adhesion test  
C.1 Apparatus  
C.1.1  Microscopic glass slide  
C.1.2  Pressure sensitive cellophane adhesive tape  
C.2 Procedure  
Make a film of 1 cm x 2.5 cm area on the glass s lide, cleaned with toluene or xylene, taking one drop and  
spreading it with a nail polish brush. Place the slide in a horizontal positi on and allow it to dry at room 
temperature for 24 h. After drying, press the cellotape over the film so  as to cover the e ntire film. Pull the tape 
off the film immediately. The polish shall be taken to have pa ssed the test if the film does not peel off at all . EAS 340 : 2013 
© EAC 2013 – All rights reserved  7 
 Annex D  
(normative)  
 
Scratch test  
D.1 Principle of the method  
It is a measure of the resistance of the dried film against a scratch, under a specified load . 
D.2 Apparatus  
D.2.1  Stainless steel spatula , 15 cm x 2.5 cm  
D.2.2  Scratch test apparatus , with the end of the hard steel needle being hemispherical and 1 mm in 
diameter  
D.3 Procedure  
Apply nail polish over the cle an and dry plate, allow it to spread evenly and keep it inclined for 24 h at room 
temperature so that uniform dry film is produced. After the film dries, place the apparatus. Fix the needle at 
the end of the counterpoise, keeping it horizontal by adjusting  the length of the needle. Slowly draw the base 
holding the spatula. Subject the needle to a load of 200  g and draw along the full length of the film.  The 
material shall be considered to have passed the test if the needle does not scratch through the film  of polish . EAS 340 : 2013 
8 © EAC 2013 – All righ ts reserved  
 Annex E  
(normative)   
 
Blush test  
E.1 Apparatus  
E.1.1  Tinplate , 5 cm x 15 cm  
E.1.2  Beaker , 250 mL capacity  
E.2 Procedure  
Apply a thin film of nail polish over the plate and allow it to spread into a uniform film. Drain the excess. Dry 
the plat e over 24 h at ambient conditions. Fill a beaker to half its level with ordinary tap water. Dip the plate in 
water in the beaker such that half the coating is in water and the remaining portion above water. Let it stand 
for 4 h. Remove the plate, dry it wi th tissue paper. Allow it to further dry at ambient conditions for 4 h. Check 
for blush. The material can be taken to have passed if it has no slight whitishness. The film should not show 
any blistering or peeling off.  EAS 340 : 2013 
© EAC 2013 – All rights reserved  9 
 Annex F  
(normative)  
 
Test for lead us ing Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (AAS)  
F.1 Scope  
This method describes the determination of lead in various cosmetic products. No interference occurs from 
the high concentrations of bismuth which do interfere in the dithzone calorimetric procedure.  
F.2 Reagents  
F.2.1 Lead nitrate , Pb(NO 3)2 
F.2.2 Dimethylacetamide  DMA  
F.2.3 Nitric acid HNO 3, 3N. Prepare by diluting 195 mL of concentrated HNO 3 (15.4 N) to 1 L with 
deionized water.  
F.2.4 Ethanol  C2H5OH  
F.2.5 Bismuth oxychloride  BiOCl  
F.2.6 Hydrochlori c acid  HCl, 6 N. Prepare by diluting 516 mL of concentrated HCl (11.6 N) to 1 L with 
deionized water.  
F.2.7 Hydrochloric acid  HCl, 2 N. Prepare by diluting 172 mL of concentrated HCl (11.6 N) to 1 L with 
deionized water.  
F.2.8 Hydrochloric acid  HCl, 0.5 N.  Prepare by diluting 25 mL of 2 N HCl to 100 mL with deionized water.  
F.3 Standard solutions  
F.3.1 Lead standard solution , 100 μg/mL. Dissolve 0.1598 g of Pb(NO 3)2 in 10 mL of dilute HNO 3 and 
dilute to 1000 mL with deionized water . 
F.3.2 Lead standard solution , 1000 μg/mL in DMA. Dissolve 0.1598 g of Pb(NO 3)2 in DMA. Dilute to 100 
mL.  
F.4 Sample preparation  
F.4.1  Aerosols  
For hai r, deodorant spray or similar aerosols, weigh accurately about 5 g of sample and dissolve in 50 mL of 
ethanol. For shaving cream spray or similar aerosols weigh accurately about 1 g of sample and dissolve in 50 
mL of ethanol.  EAS 340 : 2013 
10 © EAC 2013 – All righ ts reserved  
 F.4.2  BiOCl or cosmetics conta ining BIOCl  
Dissolve 1 g of sample (5 g if the lead level is expected to be less than 10 μg/g) in 15 mL of 6 N HCI and dilute 
to 100 mL with 0.5 N HCI. If the sample is coated with an organic material, it is necessary to ignite the sample 
to 500 C to ash before analysis.  
F.5 Instrument conditions  
F.5.1 Standard atomic absorption conditions fo r lead  
F.5.1.1  Recommended flame air -acetylene , oxidizing (lean, blue)  
F.5.1.2  Data obtained with a standard nebulizer and flow spoiler. Operation with a High sensitivity 
nebulizer or impact bead will typically p rovide a 2 -3x sensitivity improvement.  
F.5.1.3 Characteristic concentration with a N 2O-C2H2 flame at 283.3  nm: 2.7  mg/L.  
Table F.1 — HCl data EDL sensitivity values  for lead  
Wavelength , 
nm Slit  
nm Relative noise  Characteristic 
concentration , 
mg/L  Characteristic 
concentration 
check ,  
mg/L  Linear range , 
mg/L  
283.3  0.7 0.43 0.45 20.0 20.0 
217.0  0.7 1.0 0.19 9.0 20.0 
205.3  0.7 1.4 5.4 250.0  - 
202.2  0.7 1.8 7.1 350.0  - 
261.4  0.7 0.35 11.0 500.0  - 
368.3  0.7 0.40 27.0 1200.0  - 
364.0  0.7 0.33 67.0 3000.0  - 
 
F.5.2 Standard flame emission condition s for lead  
Stock standard solution, lead, 1000 mg/L . Dissolve 1.598  g of lead nitrate, Pb(N O3)2 in 1 %(v/v)  HNO 3 and 
dilute to 1 litre with 1 % (v/v) HNO 3 
Table F.2 — Flame  emission conditions for lead  
Wavelength (nm)  Slit (nm)  Flame  
405.8  0.2 Nitrous oxi de- acetylene  
 
F.5.3  Light sources  
Both Electrodeless Discharge Lamps (EDLS) and Hollow Cathode Lamps are available for lead. EDLs provide 
greater light output and longer life than Hollow Cathode Lamps. For lead, both EDLs and Hollow Cathode 
Lamps provide  approximately the same sensitivity and detection limit. With multi -element lamps containing 
copper, the Cu 216.5 nm resonance line may interfere with lead determinations at the lead 217.0 nm line. The 
lead 283.3 nm line should be used instead.  EAS 340 : 2013 
© EAC 2013 – All rights reserved  11 
 F.5.4  Interferences  
Large excesses of other elements (for example, 10 000 mg/L Fe) May interfere with the lead signal.  
F.6 Analysis  
Determine the concentration of lead in the sample solutions of aerosols and similar products using the 
standard conditions for lead a nd standards prepared in ethanol. The standard solutions shall be the following 
concentrations: 0  ppm, 10  ppm, 20  ppm, 30  ppm, 40  ppm and 50 ppm. Determine the concentration of lead in 
the BiOCI solutions using the standard conditions for lead and the meth od of additions.  
F.7 Calculations  
The total amount of lead shall be calculated as follows:  
µg/g Pb =
sampleofgPbμg/mL x 50 
F.8 Interferences  
No interference was found from 1000 μg/mL of Na, Mg, K, or Ca, or from 500 μg/mL of Mn, Co or Ni. A 
background  absorption interference was noted with 1000 μg/mL of Al, Fe or Bi, which can be eliminated by 
correcting the lead absorption at 283 nm by any absorption observed at 280 nm, or by using the Deuterium 
Background Corrector.  
 EAS 340 : 2013 
12 © EAC 2013 – All righ ts reserved  
 Annex G  
(normative)  
 
Test for ars enic using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (AAS)  
G.1 Scope  
This method describes the determination of arsenic in various cosmetic products.  
G.2 Reagents  
The reagents used should be of analytical reagent grade. Water shall be distilled or di -ionised.  
G.3 Instrument conditions  
G.3.1 Standard atomic absorption conditions for arsenic  
G.3.1.1  Recommended flame; air -acetylene, reducing (rich, slightly yellow)  
G.3.1.2  Data obtained with a standard nebulizer and flow spoiler. Operation with a High Sensitivity  
nebulizer or impact bead will typically provide a 2 -3X sensitivity improvement.  
G.3.1.3  Characteristic concentration with a N 2O-C2H2 flame at 193.7 M: 1.4mg/L  
G.3.1.4  Table contains EDL data.  HCL sensitivity values are more than 25 % poorer.  
Table G.1 — HCl data EDL sensitivity values  for arsenic  
Wavelength ,  
nm Slit,  
nm Relative noise  Characteristic 
concentration ,  
mg/L  Characteristic 
concentration 
check ,  
mg/L  Linear range , 
mg/L  
193.7  0.7 1.0 1.0 45.0 100.0  
189.0  0.7 1.8 0.78 40.0 180.0  
197.2  0.7 0.95 2.0 90.0 250.0  
 
G.3.2  Stock standard solution  
Arsenic , 1000 mg/L . Dissolve 1.320 g of Arsenious oxide As 2O3, in 25  mL of 20  % (w/v) KOH solution. 
Neutralize with 20  % (v/v) H 2SO 4 to a phenolphthalein endpoint. Dilute to one litre with 1  % (v/v) H 2SO 4. The 
standard solutions shall be of the following concentrations: 0 ppm, 2 ppm, 4 ppm, 6 ppm, 8 ppm and 10 ppm.  
G.3.3  Flames  
The air -acetylene flame absorbs or scatters more than 60 % of the light source radiation at the 193.7 nm 
arsenic line. Flame absorp tion is reduced with the use of the nitrous oxide -acetylene flame, although 
sensitivity is also reduced. Use of background correction is recommended, as it will correct for flame 
absorption and thus improve the signal to noise ratio.  EAS 340 : 2013 
© EAC 2013 – All rights reserved  13 
 G.3.4  Light sources  
Both HCL and EDL sources are available for arsenic. EDLS, which are more intense, provide better 
performance and longer life.  
G.3.5  Interferences  
Sample with high total salt content (greater than 1 %) can produce non -specific absorption at the 193.7 mn 
arsenic line, even when the metal is absent. It is therefore advisable to set background correction.  
G.4 Sample preparation  
As in F.4  
G.5 Analysis  
As in F.6  
G.6 Calculation  
As in F.7 EAS 340 : 2013 
14 © EAC 2013 – All righ ts reserved  
 Annex H  
(normative)  
 
Test for mercury using the Atomic Absorption Spectroph otometer (AAS)  
H.1 Scope  
This method describes the determination of mercury in various cosmetic products.  
H.2 Reagents  
The reagents used should be analytical reagent grade.  Water shall be distilled or de -ionised.  
H.3 Instrument conditions  
I.3.1 Standard atomic absorption conditions for mercury  
H.3.1.1  Recommended flame: air -acetylene, oxidizing (lean, blue)  
H.3.1.2  Data obtained with a standard nebulizer and flow spoiler. Operation with a High Sensitivity 
nebulizer or impact bead will typically provide a 2-3X sensitivity improvement.  
H.3.1.3  Characteristic Concentration with a N 2O-C2H2 flame at 253.7 nm: 12 mg/L  
H.3.1.4  Table contains EDL data.  HCL sensitivity values more than 25 % poorer  
Table H.1 — HCl data EDL sensitivity values  for mercury  
Wavelength ,  
nm Slit,  
nm Relative noise  Characteristic 
concentration ,  
mg/L  Characteristic 
concentration 
check ,  
mg/L  Linear range , 
mg/L  
253.7  0.7 1.0 4.2 200.0  300.0  
 
H.3.2 Standard flame emission conditions for mercury  
Table H.2 — Flame  emission conditions for mercury  
Wavelength (nm)  Slit (nm)  Flame  
253.7  0.2 Nitrous oxide - acetylene  
H.3.3 Stock standard solution  
Mercury , 1000 mg/L — Dissolve 1.080 g of mercury (II) oxide, HgO, in a minimum volume of (1 + 1) HCI. 
Dilute to one litre with deionized water. The s tandard solutions shall be of the following concentrations: 0  ppm, 
2 ppm, 4  ppm, 6  ppm, 8  ppm and 10 ppm.  EAS 340 : 2013 
© EAC 2013 – All rights reserved  15 
 H.3.4 Light sources  
Both Electrodeless Discharge Lamps (EDLS) and Hollow Cathode Lamps are available for Mercury. However, 
the light output of mercury  Hollow Cathode Lamp is significantly poorer than with EDLs, and the sensitivity and 
detection limit achieved also are much poorer. In addition, the life of Hollow Cathode Lamps is much shorter.  
H.3.5  Interferences  
Large co ncentrations of cobalt will absorb at the mercury 253.7 nm resonance line. A 1000 mg/L cobalt  
solution produces approximately 10 % absorption. Ascorbic acid, stannous chloride, or other reducing agents 
may reduce the mercury present to Hg (I) or elemental  mercury. These give higher sensitivities than Hg (II), 
and their presence can generate erroneously high results.  
H.4 Sample preparation  
As in F.4 
H.5 Analysis  
As in F.6 
H.6 Calculations  
As in F.7 
 EAS 340: 2013   
 
© EAC 2013 – All rights reserved