IS standards for hair cosmetic products MCQs With Answer

Introduction: This set of MCQs on IS standards for hair cosmetic products is designed for M.Pharm students enrolled in Herbal and Cosmetic Analysis (MPA 204T). The questions focus on regulatory expectations, physicochemical and microbiological tests, safety parameters and quality-control procedures commonly referenced in Indian Standards (BIS) for shampoos, conditioners, hair oils, dyes, henna and styling products. Emphasis is placed on test methods, acceptance criteria, labeling and stability considerations that a pharmaceutical analyst must know when evaluating finished hair cosmetics. Use these questions to strengthen your conceptual understanding and practical readiness for laboratory testing, quality assurance and regulatory compliance in the cosmetics industry.

Q1. Which is the primary objective of IS standards for hair cosmetic products?

• To ensure consumer safety and consistent product quality
• To increase product advertising effectiveness
• To standardize manufacturing cost structures
• To regulate retail pricing of cosmetics

Correct Answer: To ensure consumer safety and consistent product quality

Q2. Which physicochemical parameter is routinely specified for shampoos in IS guidelines?

• pH measurement
• Iodine value
• Acid number
• Saponification value

Correct Answer: pH measurement

Q3. Which test most directly assesses the wetting efficiency of a shampoo surfactant system?

• Wetting time test
• Peroxide value
• Viscosity index
• Refractive index

Correct Answer: Wetting time test

Q4. Foam volume and persistence tests in shampoos primarily evaluate which property?

• Detergency and foam stability
• Oxidative stability
• Microbial contamination
• Color fastness

Correct Answer: Detergency and foam stability

Q5. What does the non-volatile matter (residue on evaporation) test indicate for a hair formulation?

• Concentration of solids such as conditioning agents and polymers
• Level of microbial contamination
• Free alkali content
• Peroxide content

Correct Answer: Concentration of solids such as conditioning agents and polymers

Q6. Which analytical test is commonly used to assess early oxidative rancidity in hair oils?

• Peroxide value determination
• Foam stability test
• Wetting time test
• Combustion analysis

Correct Answer: Peroxide value determination

Q7. What is the accepted name for the microbiological test that evaluates preservative efficacy in cosmetics?

• Preservative efficacy (challenge) test
• Total viable count
• Endotoxin test
• Sterility test

Correct Answer: Preservative efficacy (challenge) test

Q8. Which microbiological specifications are typically required by IS for finished hair cosmetics?

• Low total aerobic microbial count and absence of specified pathogens
• Presence of at least 1000 CFU/g of skin commensals
• Mandatory yeast inoculation prior to release
• Only anaerobic bacteria are tested

Correct Answer: Low total aerobic microbial count and absence of specified pathogens

Q9. What is the main purpose of accelerated stability testing for hair cosmetic products?

• To predict long-term shelf life by exposing samples to elevated stress conditions
• To certify product efficacy on human volunteers
• To reduce manufacturing costs
• To measure packaging aesthetics

Correct Answer: To predict long-term shelf life by exposing samples to elevated stress conditions

Q10. IS guidelines require testing hair dyes for which toxic contaminants commonly found as impurities?

• Heavy metals such as lead, arsenic and mercury
• Excess surfactants
• High levels of glycerin
• Excess polymeric thickeners

Correct Answer: Heavy metals such as lead, arsenic and mercury

Q11. Which labeling information is normally mandated by IS for hair cosmetic products?

• Batch number, manufacturing date, expiry date and ingredient declaration
• Retail margin percentage and distributor salary
• Manufacturer’s bank details
• Internal quality control codes only

Correct Answer: Batch number, manufacturing date, expiry date and ingredient declaration

Q12. Why is pH specified for shampoos and other leave-on hair products under IS?

• Because pH impacts scalp irritation and product performance
• Because pH determines flammability
• Because pH alone indicates microbial contamination
• Because pH controls color intensity

Correct Answer: Because pH impacts scalp irritation and product performance

Q13. Which instrumental test is commonly used to quantify the conditioning effect of a hair product?

• Combing force (wet/dry combing) test
• Peroxide value measurement
• Viscosity under shear only
• Refractive index

Correct Answer: Combing force (wet/dry combing) test

Q14. Permanent oxidative hair dyes generally require which two chemical components to develop color?

• An aromatic dye intermediate (developer) and hydrogen peroxide (oxidant)
• Only surfactant and water
• Free fatty acids and saponifier
• Sorbitol and glycerin

Correct Answer: An aromatic dye intermediate (developer) and hydrogen peroxide (oxidant)

Q15. What is the key active compound quantified to assess henna (lawsonia) product purity and dyeing potency?

• Lawsone content
• Paraben concentration
• Free alkali percentage
• Peroxide value

Correct Answer: Lawsone content

Q16. Which safety test is particularly relevant for aerosol hair sprays covered by IS standards?

• Flammability and propellant compatibility testing
• Wetting time test
• Combustion residue analysis for shampoos
• Viscosity at freezing point

Correct Answer: Flammability and propellant compatibility testing

Q17. Where are the detailed methods for testing hair cosmetic products typically published for Indian regulatory use?

• Indian Standards (BIS) test methods and monographs
• Only in company internal SOPs
• In food safety manuals
• Exclusively in foreign trade tariffs

Correct Answer: Indian Standards (BIS) test methods and monographs

Q18. Which analytical approach is used to detect residual free alkali in hair dye or neutralizing products?

• Titrimetric determination (acid-base titration)
• Peroxide value assay
• Foam height measurement
• Microbial plating

Correct Answer: Titrimetric determination (acid-base titration)

Q19. According to typical cosmetic microbiological specifications, which pathogens must generally be absent from finished hair products?

• Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli
• Bacillus subtilis only
• Lactobacillus species only
• All fungal species are required to be present

Correct Answer: Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli

Q20. Which of the following parameters is least likely to be a routine IS test for a rinse-off shampoo?

• Saponification value
• pH
• Foam volume and stability
• Non-volatile matter (residue on evaporation)

Correct Answer: Saponification value

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