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The UK Cosmetics Regulation, established after Brexit, sets the legal requirements for marketing cosmetic products in Great Britain. While it shares similarities with the EU framework, it includes key differences that must be addressed to ensure compliance with UK Cosmetics Regulation.
In contrast, Northern Ireland continues to apply Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009. Meeting these requirements is essential to ensure product safety and legal access to the UK market.
Contact UsBefore placing your cosmetic product on the UK market via the SCPN (Submit Cosmetic Product Notification), which is the UK’s equivalent to the EU’s CPNP portal, it’s essential to ensure full compliance with local requirements. This includes a detailed cosmetic formula review, UK-specific label compliance, and the preparation of key safety documentation such as the Cosmetic Product Safety Report (CPSR) and the Product Information File (PIF).
As your UK Responsible Person, we handle the safety assessment and ensure your product meets all regulatory standards for legal sale in Great Britain.
Before placing a cosmetic in the British market, a formula revision will be made to confirm that the product does not contain any forbidden or restricted ingredients (according to the annexes of the UK regulation) and also a labelling revision will be performed to verify the information that must be printed on the cosmetic product label (e.g. claims, UK RP, function, warnings…)
Under the UK Cosmetics Regulation, the Cosmetic Product Safety Report is a mandatory document that demonstrates the product’s safety before it is placed on the market in Great Britain. It includes toxicological profiles, exposure assessments, and a safety conclusion signed by a qualified UK-based professional. The CPSR must be included in the Product Information File (PIF) and kept available within the UK for inspection by the Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS).
After Brexit, a Product Information File it is required to have available for the UK Competent Authorities. The PIF includes important sections such as product details, its manufacturing process, proof of product efficacy and a safety assessment report confirming that the cosmetic is safe for use. It is essential to ensure compliance with the UK cosmetics regulation. The Responsible Person will be liable for keeping the PIF available and up-to-date.
A cosmetic product intended to be sold in the Great Britain market must be submitted to the Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS) through a notification in the SCPN (Submit Cosmetic Product Notification Portal). The information present in the portal is subject to be reviewed by the Competent Authorities and shall be updated with each change applied to the product. A notification shall only be made once the product has been evaluated as safe. be valid for all EU countries as long as national requirements (language, recycling…) are followed. A notification shall only be made once the product has been evaluated as safe.
Before the cosmetic enters UK market, certain cosmetics tests must be conducted to check the safety of the product, such as challenge, stability and compatibility (which are mandatory depending on the nature of the product and its packaging), or to check efficacy and substantiate marketing claims.
From 2021, a company based in Great Britain that acts as legal representative should be linked to every cosmetic product sold in Great Britain verifying the compliance and safety of the product. It is indispensable to have a formal RP that is up to date with regulations and monitors the products they act for to avoid any possible problem. It represents the brand to the competent authorities when the brand is inspected and complaints are lodged by consumers, managing also the post-market surveillance (cosmetovigilance).
Interested in understanding the SCPN and how it facilitates product notification in the United Kingdom? Explore more about Schedule 34 of the Product Safety and Metrology Statutory Instrument and ensure your products comply with UK standards
Bringing a cosmetic product to the UK market requires up-to-date regulatory expertise, strategic guidance, and trust. At Cosmeservice, we don’t just ensure compliance — we simplify the process and provide clarity, so your product meets UK legal requirements and enters the market safely, efficiently, and on time.
The UK Responsible Person (UKRP) is a mandatory figure in the United Kingdom (UK) cosmetic regulation. They are responsible for ensuring that cosmetic products marketed in the UK comply with the established regulations and requirements. The RP must be established in the UK and is required to fulfill a series of legal obligations, such as maintaining records and being available to the competent authorities.
The UK Cosmetics Regulation applies to any product intended to be used on the human body for aesthetic or personal hygiene purposes, including skincare products, haircare products, nail products, perfumes, makeup, among others.
The UK Cosmetics Regulation applies to any product intended to be used on the human body for aesthetic or personal hygiene purposes, including skincare products, haircare products, nail products, perfumes, makeup, among others.
Manufacturers and distributors of cosmetic products are responsible for ensuring that their products comply with British regulations. Additionally, UK has the obligation to oversee the market and take action in case of non-compliance.
Manufacturers or distributors who do not comply with UK Cosmetics Regulation can receive sanctions that include fines, product withdrawal from the market, and even legal actions by affected consumers. Additionally, the company’s reputation may be affected, and they may lose customers for not complying with established safety and quality standards.
As soon as you have SCPN notifications, product information file (PIF) and the corresponding distributor, they must designate a consultancy as Cosmeservice as their Responsible Person of the products by written mandate. After this moment, the products can be marketed in UK.
The product information file (PIF) has an expiry date of 10 years, after that, if the product continues in the market a new evaluation has to be done in order to update it.
The PPWR Regulation is reshaping the rules, and early preparation makes compliance much easier.
With Cosmeservice you know exactly what to doand how to meet the deadline on time.
Get started today. Check your packaging compliance in less than a week.
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