Cosmetics have their own rules
Skincare, make-up, hair care, fragrance and toiletries are covered by a cosmetics regulation in each market: Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009 in the European Union, and the UK Cosmetics Regulation in Great Britain, the same regulation kept in UK law after Brexit, with UK amendments. Both put a named Responsible Person at the centre. That person holds the product information file, notifies the product, and answers the authorities.
An EU Responsible Person does not cover Great Britain, and a UK one does not cover the EU. Each market has its own notification: the Cosmetic Products Notification Portal (CPNP) for the EU, and Submit Cosmetic Product Notifications (SCPN) for Great Britain. Cosmetics sold in Northern Ireland follow the EU rules.
What we review
The safety report and who signed it. The product information file, in whatever state it is in. The formula, against the lists of prohibited and restricted substances, colourants, preservatives and UV filters. The label, line by line. And every claim you make, on the pack and online.
Anything that matters comes back as an action: what we found, why it matters, and what you can do. Colours, scents and sizes of the same product usually stay in one family, so the underlying work is reviewed and priced once.
What the law asks for, market by market
United Kingdom
The UK Cosmetics Regulation applies in Great Britain, enforced under the Cosmetic Products Enforcement Regulations 2013.
- Responsible Person
- A Responsible Person established in the UK is designated in writing before the product is placed on the market in Great Britain.
- UK Cosmetics Regulation, Article 4
- Safety report
- A cosmetic product safety report, with the safety information and the safety assessment, signed by a qualified assessor.
- Article 10 and Annex I
- Product information file
- Kept in English at the Responsible Person's address on the label, for ten years after the last batch.
- Article 11
- Notification
- Through Submit Cosmetic Product Notifications (SCPN), before the product is placed on the market in Great Britain.
- Article 13
- Ingredients
- No prohibited substances, and restricted substances, colourants, preservatives and UV filters used only within their conditions.
- Articles 14 to 17 and Annexes II to VI
- Label
- The UK Responsible Person's name and address, nominal content, the date of minimum durability or period after opening, precautions, batch number, function and the ingredient list.
- Article 19
- Claims
- Every claim meets the common criteria kept in UK law, with the evidence held in the product information file.
- Article 20
- After launch
- Serious undesirable effects are reported to the authority without delay.
- Article 23
Sources
European Union
Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009 applies in every EU country, and in Northern Ireland.
- Responsible Person
- A Responsible Person established in the EU is designated in writing before the product is placed on the market.
- Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009, Article 4
- Safety report
- A cosmetic product safety report, with the safety information and the safety assessment, signed by a qualified assessor.
- Article 10 and Annex I
- Product information file
- Kept at the Responsible Person's address on the label, in a language the authority accepts, for ten years after the last batch.
- Article 11
- Notification
- Through the Cosmetic Products Notification Portal (CPNP), before the product is placed on the market.
- Article 13
- Ingredients
- No prohibited substances, and restricted substances, colourants, preservatives and UV filters used only within their conditions.
- Articles 14 to 17 and Annexes II to VI
- Label
- The Responsible Person's name and address, the country of origin for imported products, nominal content, the date of minimum durability or period after opening, precautions, batch number, function and the ingredient list.
- Article 19
- Claims
- Every claim meets the common criteria, with the evidence held in the product information file.
- Article 20 and Regulation (EU) No 655/2013
- After launch
- Serious undesirable effects are reported to the authority without delay.
- Article 23
Sources
What you send us
Send what you have. If a document does not exist, say so. Finding that gap is part of the review.
- The full ingredient list, with the percentage or concentration range of each ingredient. A consumer ingredient list without percentages is not enough.
- The safety report, if you have one. A one-page "safe for use" letter is not a safety report.
- The product information file, even a partial one.
- Stability test data, and the preservative challenge test report.
- Any other test reports for the product.
- The safety data sheet, where the product type needs one, for example an aerosol.
- Any existing CPNP or SCPN notification reference.
Questions
Do I need a Responsible Person to sell cosmetics in the UK?
Yes, for Great Britain. Article 4 of the UK Cosmetics Regulation says a cosmetic can only be placed on the market there if a Responsible Person established in the UK is designated for it. An EU Responsible Person does not cover Great Britain. Northern Ireland follows the EU rules.
Do I need an EU Responsible Person for cosmetics?
Yes, if you sell cosmetics in the EU. Article 4 of Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009 requires a Responsible Person established in the EU for every cosmetic placed on the market, and their name and address go on the label. A brand outside the EU needs one established in the EU, usually designated in writing.
What is the difference between CPNP and SCPN?
CPNP is the European Commission's portal for notifying cosmetics sold in the EU. SCPN is the UK government's service for notifying cosmetics sold in Great Britain. A product sold in both markets needs both notifications, each made before the product goes on sale there.
Can I use the safety report I already have?
Often, yes. Send it and we check that it covers the product as sold, with the current formula, for the market you are launching in. A one-page "safe for use" letter is not a safety report.
How long does the review take?
Initial reviews are typically completed within 1-2 working days once we have the information we need, subject to product complexity and scope. Representation only becomes active after the required checks, the contractual appointment and regulatory approval are complete. We confirm the activation date for each customer.