Sri Lanka to get its first cosmetic product testing laboratory

Colombo, Oct. 30 (Daily Mirror) - The foundation stone for Sri Lanka’s first Human Repeat Insult Patch Test (HRIPT) laboratory, dedicated to cosmetic product testing, was laid today under the patronage of Minister of Industries and Enterprise Development, Sunil Handunneththi.

The project is a joint initiative between the Ministry of Industries and Enterprise Development, the Industrial Development Board (IDB), and the Institute of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology and Biotechnology (IBMBB) of the University of Colombo.

The facility, which is expected to be completed by the end of 2027, will be constructed at a cost of Rs. 27.383 million — with Rs. 24.383 million provided by the Ministry and Rs. 3 million by the IBMBB.

Currently, Sri Lanka lacks a dedicated HRIPT testing facility, forcing local cosmetic manufacturers and exporters to depend on foreign laboratories for product certification. Officials said the establishment of the new laboratory will help reduce high testing costs, ease logistical challenges, and strengthen the country’s cosmetics industry.