Unique and customised clean, green & organic formulations for health and beauty entrepreneurs
New Product Development Process FAQs
Please contact me for a New Product Development Brief. This will need to be completed for each product you want formulated. Complete it as thoroughly and accurately as possible in the first instance, as this will reduce the need for additional charges if the brief changes during the product sampling process.
How long does it take to get a formula made?
Once we receive your completed New Product Development Brief, and clarify any remaining issues, our usual turnaround time for the first sample formulation is approximately 6-10 weeks, depending on the complexity of the formula, and the turn-around time for obtaining ingredients that may come from overseas.
How much does it cost to get a custom formulation made?
Please get in contact for the Services and Fee Schedule.
My expertise includes truly natural, clean, green and organic formulation development. Certified organic formulation development, if possible for the product concept, will incur an additional fee for certification to the applicable standard, and includes organic formulation submission fees and label approval fees from the certifier.
What do I get for the formulation fee?
You get my 25 years of experience as an R&D director and formulator in the natural, clean, green and organic space.
You get my knowledge, experience and expertise in the market and trends, ingredient identification and suitability, packaging suitability, risk assessment, opportunity identification, manufacturing limitations, claim substantiation and concept validation for your product idea.
In terms of what you will physically receive – you will receive custom formulation samples for you to evaluate, allowing for up to five revisions to texture and/or aroma before final formulation sign-off. After the fifth sample, additional product samples will incur additional charges.
Can you provide me with a quote on the manufacture of my product/s now?
No, we can’t provide you with a quotation until you’ve signed off on the final formulation sample. We won’t know the exact final formula until this stage.
How can I assess the viability of the product without knowing how much it’s going to cost?
Once we receive your complete Product Development Brief, and you’ve provided us with an idea of what you’re expecting to pay for your manufacturing, we can assess this and can provide you with a ‘ballpark’ price range as a guide to help you assess the viability of developing your product.
Do I own the Intellectual Property (IP) of the formulation?
Not for the Custom Formulation option, but it is possible if you wish to.
If you choose the Custom Formulation option, the Intellectual Property (IP) of the formulation sample remains the property of Narelle Chenery Consulting. Rest assured that no two formulations are identical, and we will never use your formula for anyone else.
If you wish to Purchase the IP for your product there will be an additional fee. Please refer to the Service and Fee Schedule.
What if I provide you with my formulation?
Then it’s your formulation and it’s your Intellectual Property.
What if I provide you with my formula and ask you to change or improve it.
Then the original formula remains your Intellectual Property, but the new, improved formula is the property of Narelle Chenery Consulting.
What if I want to have the formula you develop for me manufactured by another company?
You will need to Purchase the IP, which includes the ingredient composition, suppliers and manufacturing method.
How long does it take to get my manufacturing done?
This depends on a number of factors, including the country of origin and turn-around time for the ingredients, packaging and labels. Once we have received all the components for your product, it will take 2-6 weeks to produce, depending on the size of the order. Please be aware that raw materials procured from overseas can take up to 6 weeks for delivery and packaging procured from overseas can take up to 14 weeks for delivery.
Can you source packaging for me?
Usually it is the clients responsibility to source packaging. However, we can assist you by providing you with the details of some local packaging suppliers for you to source from. Please send a sample of your intended packaging to us for testing with our equipment before you place a purchase order with the supplier. It is essential that the packaging is compatible with our product equipment and filling capabilities.
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Can you store my excess packaging?
Sorry, we do not have the capacity to store your packaging components. Any excess packaging from your packaging shipment will be packed into your product order. We highly recommend you only ship enough packaging components and labels required for your order to be fulfilled.
Can you source the labels for me?
Usually it is the clients responsibility to source labels. However, we can assist you by providing you with the details of some local labels suppliers for you to source from. We will provide you with the full list of ingredients after the final formula has been signed off by you. We are not responsible for any errors on your labels. It is your responsibility to ensure you comply with all labelling requirements in the jurisdictions you intend to sell in. It is your responsibility to ensure the label adhesive is compatible with your product packaging. We will advise you of the requirements to ensure the labels are compatible with our labelling machines.
Can you store and distribute my finished goods?
Sorry, we cannot assist with storage and distribution, but there are many companies in all cities in Australia that specialise in offering these services.
Can you organise for my products to be exported?
Sorry, we cannot assist with international distribution, but there are many companies in all cities in Australia that specialise in offering these services.
How long will my products last?
That depends on the type of formula you want developed. Powdered products should last up to 24 months, depending on the individual ingredient shelf life. Anhydrous products (without water) should last up to 30 months. Water-based emulsions should last at least 18 months depending on the shelf life of the ingredients in the formula.
Do you perform any tests on my formula?
Included in the Custom Formulation fee, we will perform a 12 week Accelerated Stability Test for your final formula, which, if successful, will give an indication of the product being shelf stable for at least 18 months. We will require a sample of the final product packaging in which the product will be sold to assess the compatibility with the formulation. Additional stability and compatibility will need to be performed again where there is a formula change or a change in the primary packaging material, which will incur an additional fee. Please refer to the Service and Fee Schedule.
What tests do you recommend I undergo for my products?
Nutrition Information Panel Testing
For powdered food products, you will need a Nutrition Information Panel. This can be obtained by sending a sample of the formula to a government accredited laboratory for a Nutrition Information Panel analysis. This will provide the required nutrition information for your label. We can arrange this test for an additional fee including preparation of the formula sample, required paperwork, and shipment to the lab. Please refer to the Service and Fee Schedule.
Microbial Testing
For water-based products, the final formula will need to be Microbiologically Tested prior to final approval, and we recommend every batch is tested for microbiological, physical and chemical properties in order to ensure safety and quality before shipment. This test incurs an additional cost and takes 6 days. It confirms the presence of bacterial contaminants. We recommend a Microbial Test on the bulk formulation prior to filling and packing, and a Microbial Test on the finished goods before it is released for sale. We can arrange this test for you for an additional fee that includes preparation of the sample, required paperwork, and shipment to the lab. Please refer to the Service and Fee Schedule.
Preservative Efficacy Testing (Challenge Testing)
For water-based skin care products that are not packed into airless bottles we highly recommend the final approved formulation be subject to a Preservative Efficacy Test (PET). The purpose of PE testing is to test whether microorganism introduced during normal and reasonably foreseeable use will not negatively affect the quality or safety of the product. This is performed by a government accredited laboratory and takes six weeks. It confirms the long term efficacy of the preservative to resist microbial activity which gives you confidence that you a supplying your customers with a robust and safe product. We can arrange this test for you for an additional fee including preparation of the formula sample, required paperwork, and shipment to the lab. If you do not want to do a PET on the formulation, we will need you to sign a waiver where you take responsibility for any microbial activity in the finished product. Please refer to the Service and Fee Schedule.
Do I have to do these tests?
If you plan to export your products, many international jurisdictions require your products undergo some of these tests. Whilst none of the test are mandatory, we highly recommend you undertake them in order to ensure the microbial safety of the product and to maintain the quality and safety of the product when stored under normal and reasonably foreseeable conditions during its shelf life. If you choose not to, we will require you to sign a waiver where you will take responsibility for any microbial activity in the product.
Can you manufacture certified organic products?
Yes, we can arrange manufacturing with a Certified Organic processor. There will be additional additional expenses incurred for certified organic products.
If your question is not covered in our FAQ’s, please don’t hesitate to ask us.