IS standards for personal hygiene cosmetic preparations MCQs With Answer

Introduction: This quiz collection focuses on IS (Indian Standards/BIS) requirements for personal hygiene and cosmetic preparations relevant to the M.Pharm curriculum in Herbal and Cosmetic Analysis (MPA 204T). It emphasizes core regulatory and analytical aspects such as sampling, labeling, stability, microbial limits, preservative efficacy, organoleptic characteristics, and key quality-control tests applied to soaps, shampoos, creams, lotions, toothpastes and deodorants. Designed to deepen conceptual understanding and practical exam readiness, the questions target standards-related rationale, commonly specified tests, and compliance priorities used in routine quality assurance and regulatory submissions for cosmetic products in India.

Q1. Which of the following is a fundamental requirement under IS for personal hygiene cosmetic preparations regarding labeling?

• Disclosure of raw material suppliers only
• Declaration of net quantity, batch number, manufacturing and expiry date
• Listing of manufacturing equipment used
• Only brand name is mandatory

Correct Answer: Declaration of net quantity, batch number, manufacturing and expiry date

Q2. Under IS guidance, which test is most commonly required to assess microbial safety of rinse-off products like shampoos?

• Preservative challenge test (microbial efficacy)
• Viscosity measurement only
• Total fatty matter determination
• Peroxide value

Correct Answer: Preservative challenge test (microbial efficacy)

Q3. For toilet soaps, which parameter is emphasized by IS as a measure of cleansing and quality?

• Total fatty matter (TFM)
• Foam stability index
• Fluoride content
• Aluminum salt concentration

Correct Answer: Total fatty matter (TFM)

Q4. Which standard analytical test is commonly specified by IS for creams and lotions to monitor oxidative deterioration of oils?

• Peroxide value
• pH meter calibration
• Foam test
• Chloride content

Correct Answer: Peroxide value

Q5. According to typical IS requirements for cosmetic products, what does a preservative efficacy (challenge) test demonstrate?

• Color stability over time
• Ability of product formulation to resist microbial contamination during use
• Viscosity change at elevated temperature
• Compatibility of fragrance with packaging

Correct Answer: Ability of product formulation to resist microbial contamination during use

Q6. Which microbial limit is generally a regulatory concern addressed in IS documents for leave-on cosmetics?

• Total aerobic microbial count and absence of specified pathogens
• Only yeast count is relevant
• Only Gram-negative bacteria count
• No microbial testing is required

Correct Answer: Total aerobic microbial count and absence of specified pathogens

Q7. When IS specifies tests for toothpaste, which of the following is a primary quality parameter?

• Fluoride content assay
• Total fatty matter (TFM)
• Aluminum salt percentage
• Foam expansion index

Correct Answer: Fluoride content assay

Q8. Which physical property is routinely assessed for shampoos under IS to ensure consumer acceptability and performance?

• pH and foam stability
• Peroxide value only
• Ash content
• Heavy metal chromium content only

Correct Answer: pH and foam stability

Q9. In IS guidelines, what is the main purpose of accelerated stability testing for cosmetic preparations?

• To determine product efficacy against microbes
• To predict shelf-life and identify potential physical/chemical instabilities
• To measure consumer preference
• To certify packaging recyclability

Correct Answer: To predict shelf-life and identify potential physical/chemical instabilities

Q10. Which heavy metals are commonly limited or tested in IS for personal care products due to toxicity concerns?

• Lead, mercury and arsenic
• Only sodium and potassium
• Calcium and magnesium exclusively
• Oxygen and nitrogen content

Correct Answer: Lead, mercury and arsenic

Q11. Which IS requirement helps ensure traceability and quality control of a cosmetic batch?

• Absence of a batch number
• Inclusion of batch/lot number and manufacturing date
• Randomized packaging without identifiers
• Listing only distributor contact details

Correct Answer: Inclusion of batch/lot number and manufacturing date

Q12. For antiperspirant/deodorant products, IS standards commonly require testing for which functional property?

• Antiperspirant efficacy or deodorant activity
• Total fatty matter (TFM)
• Fluoride concentration
• Foam collapse time

Correct Answer: Antiperspirant efficacy or deodorant activity

Q13. Which test is specifically important for solid soaps as per IS to ensure safety and prevent skin irritation?

• Free alkali (free caustic) determination
• Mercury assay only
• Foam colorimetry
• Chloride volatility

Correct Answer: Free alkali (free caustic) determination

Q14. Under IS guidelines, which packaging attribute is important for preventing product degradation?

• Use of appropriate barrier packaging to protect from moisture and light
• Transparent packaging for all products regardless of sensitivity
• Packaging only in paper regardless of product chemistry
• Exclusion of tamper-evident features

Correct Answer: Use of appropriate barrier packaging to protect from moisture and light

Q15. Which analytical test in IS for cosmetic creams helps assess consistency and consumer feel?

• Viscosity/rheological profile
• Lead content exclusively
• Total ash value
• Fluoride determination

Correct Answer: Viscosity/rheological profile

Q16. What is the IS-recommended approach when a preservative system in a cosmetic fails the challenge test?

• Reformulate or increase preservative effectiveness and retest
• Ignore and release the batch
• Only change packaging color
• Extend expiry date without changes

Correct Answer: Reformulate or increase preservative effectiveness and retest

Q17. Which documentation is typically required by IS for regulatory compliance of a cosmetic product?

• Specification sheet, test methods, stability data and safety assessment
• Only marketing brochures
• Manufacturing equipment purchase invoices only
• Consumer testimonials in place of data

Correct Answer: Specification sheet, test methods, stability data and safety assessment

Q18. For herbal cosmetic preparations, IS standards emphasize which additional control compared to purely synthetic products?

• Standardization of botanical raw materials (identity, purity, assay)
• Exemption from microbial testing
• No need for stability testing
• Use of any plant without documentation

Correct Answer: Standardization of botanical raw materials (identity, purity, assay)

Q19. Which indicator of chemical stability is commonly monitored for oils used in cosmetics as per IS test recommendations?

• Peroxide value and acid value
• Foam index only
• Total non-volatile matter exclusively
• Chloride evaporation rate

Correct Answer: Peroxide value and acid value

Q20. What is the role of a Declaration of Conformity (or similar quality statement) in IS-related cosmetic compliance?

• It affirms the product meets specified standards and lab test results
• It replaces all laboratory testing permanently
• It is optional and provides no regulatory value
• It lists only marketing claims without data

Correct Answer: It affirms the product meets specified standards and lab test results

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