PARIS - The French cosmetics group L'Orial has officially adopted the D-Scan microbial analyzer developed by Chemunex S.A. as its standard testing system for the bacteriological control of all its products. Chemunex, which is based in the Paris suburb of Ivry-sur-Seine, produces microbiological testing instruments and reagents for the pharmaceutical, cosmetics, food processing and water industries, among others.

The D-Count analyzer is a spin-off from Chemunex's flagship product, the ChemScan microbial analyzer, and is specifically targeted at the cosmetics and food processing industries. The quality control laboratories of two L'Orial plants already are equipped with the D-Count analyzer, and others are now to acquire the system in their turn. The company carried out over 10,000 tests of the D-Count on a wide range of its products before deciding to generalize its utilization.

According to Chemunex, the advantages of its technology over conventional methods are twofold. It not only affords improved quality control through more sensitive detection of microorganisms, but also provides test results within hours instead of days, enabling companies to reduce the stocks of finished products they hold before. - James Etheridge