---
type: "WebPage"
title: "Elemental Analysis Services"
description: "Your needs: determining the elemental chemical composition of your product What is an elemental chemical analysis? Elemental chemical analysis consist of determining the proportions of atoms of each chemical element present in the composition of a substance or product. The..."
resource: "https://filab.fr/en/our-services/our-analysis-services/chemical-analysis-laboratory/laboratory-elemental-analysis/"
tags: ["EN", "pll_6128ca5dee380", "Anaïs DECAUX"]
timestamp: "2026-08-19T07:52:15Z"
published: "2021-08-27T11:19:57Z"
language: "en"
author: "bwa"
---

# Elemental Analysis Services

## Your needs: determining the elemental chemical composition of your product

### What is an elemental chemical analysis?

Elemental chemical analysis consist of **determining the proportions** of atoms of each chemical element present in the composition of a substance or product. The chemical elements to be interpreted through elemental chemical analysis may belong to different categories:

- The **organic elements**, made up on the basis of carbon (nitrogen, oxygen, hydrogen, sulfur, phosphorus, etc.).
- The **metal alloys**, a mixture of different metallic elements.
- The **heavy metals** (mercury, [lead](https://filab.fr/en/our-services/our-analysis-services/metallurgical-analysis-laboratory/laboratory-analysis-lead.md)…)

Each category of element can be determined using a specific elemental chemical analysis technique, making it possible to break down the structure of a substance and identify and quantify the elements present.

These elemental analysis enable you to ensure **your products comply**, for example with current regulatory requirements.

### Why carry out an elemental analysis in the laboratory?

An elemental analysis is carried out to address issues such as:

- Non-compliance of a raw material or finished product
- Suspected presence of contaminants or impurities
- Variation in composition between different batches
- Failure or abnormal behavior of a material
- Need to identify an unknown material
- Optimization of a formulation or industrial process
- Differentiate similar samples

At the FILAB laboratory, we support manufacturers with their needs for **elemental chemical analyses** thanks to modern analytical equipment and recognized expertise.

## Our solutions: offering you elemental analysis services tailored to your needs and providing fast, reliable results

### Analytical objectives of elemental analysis

Elemental analysis aims to address specific industrial issues:

- Identify the chemical composition of an unknown material
- Quantify major, minor, or trace elements
- Detect impurities or contaminants
- Verify the compliance of a raw material or finished product
- Monitor the stability or degradation of a material
- Compare different formulations or batches

## Our elemental analysis services

[CHONS Analysis](https://filab.fr/en/our-technical-resources/chons-laboratory-analysis.md)

[Hydrogen Determination](https://filab.fr/en/our-services/our-analysis-services/metallurgical-analysis-laboratory/laboratory-analysis-hydrogen.md)

[Nitrogen Determination](https://filab.fr/en/our-services/our-analysis-services/metallurgical-analysis-laboratory/determination-nitrogen-content.md)

[Carbon Determination](https://filab.fr/en/our-services/our-analysis-services/metallurgical-analysis-laboratory/laboratory-determine-carbon.md)

[Oxygen Determination](https://filab.fr/en/our-services/our-analysis-services/metallurgical-analysis-laboratory/laboratory-oxygen-determination.md)

[Sulfur Determination](https://filab.fr/en/our-services/our-analysis-services/halogen-analysis-laboratory/laboratory-sulfur-determination.md)

### Our elemental chemical analysis techniques

Thanks to [elemental analysis](https://filab.fr/en/our-technical-resources/chons-laboratory-analysis.md) techniques in chemistry, it is possible to **detect the presence and quantity of chemical elements**. The chemical properties of samples are determined in our laboratory using analytical instruments such as:

  [### ICP-MS](https://filab.fr/en/our-technical-resources/laboratory-analysis-icp-icp-ms-icp-aes.md) [### ICP-AES](https://filab.fr/en/our-technical-resources/laboratory-analysis-icp-icp-ms-icp-aes/icp-aes-analysis-laboratory.md) [### Elemental analyzer / CHONS / CHNS](https://filab.fr/en/our-technical-resources/chons-laboratory-analysis.md) [### SEO](https://filab.fr/en/our-technical-resources/laboratory-analysis-oes-alloys.md) [### Mercury analyzer](https://filab.fr/en/our-technical-resources/laboratory-analysis-mercury-amalgamator.md) [### Ion chromatography](https://filab.fr/en/our-technical-resources/laboratory-ion-chromatography.md) [### X-ray fluorescence](https://filab.fr/en/our-technical-resources/x-ray-fluorescence-analysis-laboratory-xrf.md)
### FILAB laboratory accredited COFRAC ISO 17025

Since October 2015, the FILAB laboratory has been **accredited COFRAC ISO 17025** for the elemental analysis of heavy metals in raw materials and pharmaceutical products, using an in-house method validated in accordance with the recommendations of European Pharmacopoeia 2.4.20 and United States Pharmacopeia USP 233.

FILAB is an interdisciplinary laboratory offering elemental chemical analysis services, some of which are under [**COFRAC ISO 17025 accreditation**](https://filab.fr/en/about-us/accreditations-en.md):

### Regulatory framework for elemental characterization

Elementary **characterization** falls under different regulatory frameworks depending on the sector:

- Pharmacopoeias (USP, EP) for trace elements
- ICH Q3D for elemental impurities
- REACH for the characterization of chemical substances
- ISO standards and validated in-house methods

The analytical results help support regulatory submissions and ensure product compliance.

### Properties measured by elemental analysis of a substance or product

During an elemental analysis assessment, the concentration, mass, and chemical composition of the elements present in the sample are determined.

Here are the data most commonly collected during an elemental analysis: the content of carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, sulfur, phosphorus, calcium, iron, sodium, and potassium. It is also possible to determine the content of heavy metals, mineral salts, and volatile organic compounds.

### Types of materials analyzed

Our laboratory works on a wide variety of matrices, including:

- Metal alloys, steels, stainless steels
- Polymers, plastics, elastomers
- Raw materials and pharmaceutical formulations
- Cosmetic and agrochemical products
- Ceramics, powders, composite materials

### Industries and matrices concerned by elemental analysis

Elemental analysis applies to many industries and sample types:

Pharmaceutical: active ingredients, excipients, finished products

Chemistry: organic compounds, solvents, polymers

Cosmetics: raw materials, formulations, impurities

Metallurgy: alloys, metals, coatings

### Why carry out an elemental analysis in the laboratory?

Elemental analysis makes it possible to determine the precise chemical composition of a material by quantifying the content of elements such as carbon (C), hydrogen (H), nitrogen (N), sulfur (S), oxygen (O), or metals (Al, Fe, Cu, Zn…). It is essential for verifying the compliance of a raw material, detecting impurities, or characterizing a finished product.

It can therefore be used to characterize and differentiate similar samples, identify contaminants or impurities, or determine the chemical composition of a material in order to understand its behavior and optimize its properties.

Thanks to this rigorous and precise approach, industries can meet current standards and requirements.

### Our complementary services

[Chemical analysis](https://filab.fr/nos-prestations/analyse/analysis-chimiques/)

[Mineral Chemical Analysis](https://filab.fr/en/our-technical-resources/our-mineral-analysis-equipment.md)

[Search for elemental impurities](https://filab.fr/en/our-services/our-analysis-services/laboratory-detection-identification-impurities.md)

[Analytical Development and Validation](https://filab.fr/en/our-services/our-expertise-services/laboratory-analytical-method-validation.md)

[Catalyst analysis](https://filab.fr/en/our-services/our-analysis-services/chemical-analysis-laboratory/catalyst-analysis-laboratory.md)

[Analysis and quantification of heavy metals](https://filab.fr/en/our-services/our-analysis-services/laboratory-analysis-heavy-metal.md)

[Analysis of elemental residues or catalyst residues](https://filab.fr/en/our-technical-resources/laboratory-analysis-icp-icp-ms-icp-aes.md)

[Determination of metal alloy grades](https://filab.fr/en/analysis-of-metallic-alloys-in-the-laboratory.md)

[Chiral analysis](https://filab.fr/en/our-services/our-analysis-services/chemical-analysis-laboratory/chiral-analysis.md)

[Battery analysis](https://filab.fr/en/our-services/our-expertise-services/analysis-characterization-battery-materials/analysis-and-study-of-battery-raw-materials.md) and [black mass](https://filab.fr/en/our-services/our-expertise-services/industrial-sustainability-transition/black-mass-recycling.md)

For several years now, FILAB has held the Laboratory Qualification issued by the SAFRAN group under procedures GRP-0087, GRM-0123 and TTS-MOP-004. The accreditation covers:

- chemical analysis of metal alloys and mineral products
- chemical analysis of surface treatment baths

By elemental analyzers ([C/S, N/O and H](https://filab.fr/en/our-technical-resources/chons-laboratory-analysis.md)),

## Application cases

 Issue: metal contamination in a pharmaceutical product
Analytical solution: using ICP-MS to detect and quantify trace metal elements at very low thresholds, in compliance with regulatory requirements.

 Issue: characterization of a new polymer in R&D
Analytical solution: CHNS analysis to determine the elemental composition and validate the material’s chemical structure.

## FAQ

 What is a COFRAC ISO 17025 accredited laboratory?
A COFRAC ISO 17025 accredited laboratory is a laboratory that has been assessed and certified by the French Accreditation Committee (COFRAC) in accordance with ISO 17025. This standard sets out the requirements for technical competence and quality management in testing and calibration laboratories. Accreditation is formal recognition that the laboratory is competent to carry out specific analysis or tests in the relevant field. Companies working with a COFRAC ISO 17025 accredited laboratory can be confident that their results are reliable, accurate, and compliant with the highest quality standards.

 What is elemental analysis in organic chemistry?
Elemental analysis in organic chemistry is a technique used to determine the basic, or elemental, atomic composition of an organic molecule. It generally involves determining the percentages of carbon (C), hydrogen (H), oxygen (O), nitrogen (N), sulfur (S), and sometimes other elements present in a chemical sample. 

The [CHONS analysis](https://filab.fr/en/our-technical-resources/chons-laboratory-analysis.md) is essential for confirming the purity of a substance, identifying unknown compounds, or verifying the proposed molecular structure of an organic substance.

### **What does elemental analysis of an organic compound involve for the pharmaceutical industry? **

The **elemental analysis of an organic compound** in the laboratory is an essential technique in the [pharmaceutical industry](https://filab.fr/en/sectors-of-activity/analysis-industry-pharmaceuticals.md), mainly used to verify the purity and exact composition of the organic compounds used in medicines. 

This precise method, involving combustion of the sample and quantification of the gases produced such as CO2 and H2O, makes it possible to determine the percentages of carbon, hydrogen, and other essential elements. In industrial practice, this not only helps **confirm the chemical identity of active substances**, but also ensure **compliance with strict regulatory standards** for the safety and efficacy of pharmaceutical products.

At the FILAB laboratory, our team and state-of-the-art equipment enable us to detect impurities at low levels, which is essential for quality control throughout drug development and manufacturing. 

 Why perform elemental analysis by X-ray fluorescence?
L['analyse par fluorescence X](https://filab.fr/en/our-technical-resources/x-ray-fluorescence-analysis-laboratory-xrf.md)(XRF) est une technique d'analyse non destructive qui détermine la composition chimique des échantillons en mesurant les rayons X émis après excitation. Cette méthode est particulièrement appréciée pour sa rapidité, sa précision et sa capacité à préserver l'intégrité de l'échantillon, ce qui la rend idéale pour diverses applications industrielles. En minéralogie, la XRF permet un contrôle rapide et précis des minéraux, essentiel pour l'exploitation minière. Elle est également utilisée dans la fabrication des métaux pour assurer la conformité des alliages aux spécifications. Dans les domaines de l'archéologie et de la conservation d'art, la XRF analyse les pigments et matériaux sans les altérer, tandis que dans l'environnement, elle aide à détecter les polluants. Cette polyvalence fait de la XRF un outil crucial dans de nombreux secteurs.

 Why perform elemental analysis in a laboratory as part of a chemical analysis?
### Elemental analysis in **chemistry**is essential because it provides a thorough understanding of materials and supports many scientific and industrial applications 

###  

### > Composition identification: Elemental analysis makes it possible to determine the constituent elements of a sample. This identification is essential for understanding the chemical structure and molecular formula of compounds, which is crucial for research in synthetic chemistry, pharmacology, and materials characterization.

###  

### > Quality control: In the pharmaceutical, agri-food, and chemical industries, elemental analysis is used to ensure that products are manufactured according to the required specifications. It helps detect impurities and verify the purity of raw materials and finished products.

###  

### > Research and development: our laboratory uses elemental analysis to study new materials and improve the properties of existing materials. This may include improving medicines, catalysts, and polymers, for example.

###  

### > Regulatory compliance: Elemental analysis helps industries comply with environmental and safety regulations. For example, determining the presence of heavy metals or other hazardous elements in products and industrial discharges is essential to meet legal standards and protect public health.

###  

In short, elemental analysis is a pillar of analytical chemistry that provides insights for a wide range of applications, thereby ensuring safety, efficiency, and innovation across many industrial sectors.

 What are the advantages of an elemental analyzer in chemical analysis?
An elemental analyzer is a valuable tool in chemistry for quantifying the elemental composition of samples. This technical solution offers high precision and accuracy, which are essential in industrial quality control.

One of the main advantages of an **elemental analyzer** is its ability to provide rapid results, making it possible to analyze many samples in a short time. In addition, this technical equipment is capable of detecting very low concentrations of elements, particularly for trace analysis in various applications.

 What are the applications of elemental analysis?
Elemental analysis, also known as elemental chemical analysis, is widely used in different fields: 

In the[pharmaceutical industry](https://filab.fr/en/sectors-of-activity/analysis-industry-pharmaceuticals.md), elemental analysis makes it possible to control the purity and composition of active substances and excipients used in medicines. This measurement ensures the safety and efficacy of pharmaceutical products, with a particular focus on detecting impurities that could reduce drug effectiveness or cause undesirable side effects.

In the context of[materials characterization](https://filab.fr/en/our-services/our-analysis-services/laboratory-material-testing.md), such as[metal analysis](https://filab.fr/en/our-services/our-analysis-services/metallurgical-analysis-laboratory.md) and[polymer analysis](https://filab.fr/en/our-services/our-analysis-services/polymer-materials-analysis-laboratory.md), elemental analysis is used to determine the [composition of metal alloys](https://filab.fr/en/our-services/our-analysis-services/metallurgical-analysis-laboratory/metallic-alloy-analysis-laboratory.md)and to verify that polymer materials meet the necessary technical specifications. This analysis is essential for ensuring the mechanical properties and durability of materials, particularly in critical sectors such as construction, aerospace, and automotive, where an inadequate composition can lead to severe material failures.

In the chemical industry, elemental analysis of raw materials and finished products is used to ensure the quality and consistency of chemical products. Managing raw material variability and optimizing production processes are necessary to minimize production costs while meeting strict environmental standards.

 What is elemental analysis?
Elemental analysis consists of identifying and quantifying the chemical elements present in a material, whether they are major elements or trace elements.

 Why use an expert laboratory for elemental analysis?
FILAB, a specialized laboratory, has the equipment and expertise needed to guarantee reliable, accurate results that comply with regulatory requirements.

 What techniques are used in elemental analysis?
The main techniques include ICP-MS, ICP-OES, and CHNS/CHONS analysis for the determination of chemical elements.

 In which cases should elemental analysis be carried out?
It is used for quality control, R&D, material identification, or contamination investigation.

 Is elemental analysis regulated?
Yes, especially in the pharmaceutical and chemical sectors, with frameworks such as ICH Q3D or REACH.

 How do i get a quote for elemental analysis?
To get a quote, you can contact our teams via our contact form, by phone, or by email. Simply send us your requirements (type of material, desired analysis, any applicable standard, urgency, number of samples, etc.).

 How long does it take to receive a quote for elemental analysis?
The turnaround time for sending a quote is generally 24 to 48 hours.