Legally Selling Cosmetics in the UK and EU

While the requirements to comply with UK/EU legislation may seem intimidating, the process is straight-forward, as outlined. Dr Sara Robb offers Cosmetic Product Safety Reports (CPSRs). Why not sell your own cosmetics legally by following the steps below? 

The requirements to sell cosmetics in the United Kingdom (UK) are currently the same as those in the European Union (EU). There are three main conditions that must be met to place a cosmetic on the UK/EU market.

The first requirement, is that there is a UK-based Responsible Person (or legal entity) for the product. The Responsible Person is tasked with ensuring the cosmetic product complies with UK/EU Cosmetics Regulation.

The second requirement is that the Responsible Person prepare a Product Information File (PIF) for the specific product (every product has its own PIF). Information contained in the PIF should include a description of the product and a Cosmetic Product Safety Report (CSPR), prepared by a suitably qualified assessor. An outline of the manufacturing process (see the steps in the recipe above), including a statement about good manufacturing practice are included in the PIF. The Responsible Person should prepare a statement to be included stating that no animal testing has taken place.

The cosmetic product’s ingredients should be specified in the PIF, using the International Nomenclature for Cosmetic Ingredients (INCI), with the percentages of each ingredient used in the formulation.  Ingredient documentation and results of any testing should follow. The former include Technical Data Sheet (TDS) of each of the ingredients, International Fragrance Association (IFRA) certificates and allergen declarations. The latter results of stability testing and results from microbial analysis. Microbial testing is usually not required for non-aqueous cosmetics such as lip balm.

The third requirement to comply with regulations is that the UK/EU must be notified that the product will be placed on the market. This is done on the Cosmetic Product Notification Portal (CPNP), an online notification system which is free of charge. Each cosmetic placed on the market requires a separate notification to be completed on the CPNP. Registration on the CPNP can be completed by an individual, the Responsible Person, or a company.  Information such as the product name, images of the product and labels, manufacturer contact, product details and formulation.