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The UK Cosmetic Regulations, established after Brexit, sets the legal requirements for marketing cosmetic products in Great Britain. The framework shares many similarities with EU legislation. However, it also includes key differences. Companies must address these requirements to achieve and maintain compliance with UK Cosmetic Regulations.
In contrast, Northern Ireland continues to apply Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009. To ensure product safety and maintain legal access to the UK market, companies must comply with these requirements.
Contact UsBefore placing your cosmetic product on the UK market, must complete the SCPN (Submit Cosmetic Product Notification). The SCPN is the UK equivalent of the EU’s CPNP portal. To achieve full compliance with UK requirements, must review your cosmetic formula, verify UK-specific labelling requirements, and prepare key safety documentation. This documentation includes the Cosmetic Product Safety Report (CPSR) and the Product Information File (PIF).
As your UK Responsible Person, we manage the safety assessment process and help you meet all regulatory requirements for the legal sale of cosmetic products in Great Britain.
Before placing a cosmetic product on the British market, we review the formula to confirm that it does not contain any forbidden or restricted ingredients listed in the annexes of the UK Cosmetics Regulation. We also review the product label to verify that it includes all required information, such as claims, the UK Responsible Person, the product function and any applicable warnings.
After Brexit, companies must keep a Product Information File available for the UK competent authorities. The PIF includes key sections such as product details and the manufacturing process. In addition, it contains proof of efficacy and a safety report that confirms the product is safe to use. Therefore, the PIF is essential to comply with the UK Cosmetic Regulations. Finally, the Responsible Person must keep 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 placing a cosmetic product on the UK market, carry out the necessary cosmetics tests to verify its safety. Depending on the product and its packaging, these tests may include challenge, stability and compatibility studies. You should also assess product efficacy and support any marketing claims with appropriate evidence.
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. Companies should appoint an experienced Responsible Person who stays up to date with regulatory changes and actively monitors the products under their responsibility. This helps prevent compliance issues and market access problems. The Responsible Person also represents the brand before the competent authorities during inspections and when consumers submit complaints. In addition, they manage post-market surveillance activities, including 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.
The UK Responsible Person (UKRP) is a mandatory figure under UK cosmetic regulations. The RP ensures that cosmetic products marketed in the United Kingdom comply with all applicable regulatory requirements. In addition, the RP must be established in the UK. The RP also fulfils several legal obligations, including maintaining regulatory documentation and responding to requests from the competent authorities. Furthermore, the RP acts as the main contact point between the brand and the authorities.
The UK Cosmetic Regulations apply to any product that consumers use on the human body for aesthetic or personal hygiene purposes. For example, this includes skincare, haircare and nail products, as well as perfumes and makeup.
Manufacturers or distributors who breach the UK Cosmetic Regulations face serious sanctions. These include fines, product withdrawal from the market and even legal action by affected consumers. Moreover, non-compliance can damage the company’s reputation. As a result, the company may lose customers who expect it to meet safety and quality standards.
You can start selling once your product meets all UK requirements. First, you must appoint a UK Responsible Person through a written mandate. Then, the RP prepares the PIF, including the CPSR, and submits the SCPN notification. After that, you can place your product on the Great Britain market
The PPWR Regulation is reshaping the rules, and early preparation makes compliance much easier.
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