Assessment of the efficacy of pediculicides against lice

TECNALIA consolidates its role as a benchmark in the assessment of pediculicide efficacy

We provide efficacy testing services for the pediculicide sector, which faces increasing challenges, such as resistance to neurotoxic compounds, the proliferation of new physical formulations and increasingly demanding regulatory requirements. Thanks to its efficacy studies with head lice (Pediculus humanus capitis), state-of-the-art infrastructures and protocols aligned with international standards, TECNALIA can provide guarantees in the validation, optimisation and positioning of pediculicide products.

Pediculicides should act on eggs, nymphs and adults

Pediculicides are products designed to eliminate or control infestations of lice and their nits, acting on different stages of the parasite's life cycle.

• They can be based on neurotoxic mechanisms, which affect the insect's nervous system; or physical mechanisms, such as silicones or essential oils that cause suffocation. The real efficacy of a pediculicide depends on its ability to act on eggs, nymphs and adults, as well as on its persistence and behaviour under real use conditions, which means that specialised tests and standardised methodologies are essential.
• Pediculicide control today requires a highly specialised approach that takes into account the different mechanisms of action and the variability of susceptibility between eggs, nymphs and adults.

We carry out specific tests for each stage of the lice life cycle

TECNALIA's Pediculicide Efficacy Testing Laboratory develops specific tests for each phase of the life cycle, including adulticidal, ovicidal, repellent and residual efficacy tests. This technical segmentation capability enables manufacturers to accurately understand the behaviour of their formulations and anticipate their performance in real-life conditions.

Regulatory pressure, particularly under European Regulation 528/2012 and international guidelines, requires companies to support their products with sound and traceable data obtained under controlled conditions.

TECNALIA addresses this need through a transparent work process, ranging from experimental design and pilot studies, to advanced statistical analysis, and the delivery of full reports containing raw data and scientific interpretation. This approach ensures reliable results for regulatory registration, reformulation or competitive comparison.

We are the partner for the pharmaceutical, cosmetics and personal care sector

Boasting one of the most comprehensive pediculicide assessment services in Europe, TECNALIA is positioned as a partner for the pharmaceutical, cosmetics and personal care sector.

• Its combination of scientific precision, technical capability and industrial focus accelerates new product development, improves existing formulations and guarantees regulatory compliance in global markets.
• In a scenario in which verifiable effectiveness is key, TECNALIA's contribution becomes a decisive element in boosting innovation and competitiveness in the sector.