Simple guide to placing cosmetics on the EU or UK market

In this post, we explain what you need to know and do before selling your cosmetic product on the EU or UK market.

The purpose of cosmetic regulations

The main purpose of cosmetic regulation in the EU and the UK is to protect consumer safety. The regulation applies to all cosmetic products placed on the European Community or UK market, this includes cosmetic products consumers pay for or free samples supplied in the course of conducting business.

Following current regulations not only helps protect customers using your product but also helps protect your business from loss of income or reputation damage caused by the supply of substandard products. Below we describe six steps to cosmetic compliance.

Six steps to a compliant cosmetic product

Before placing a cosmetic product on the EU/UK market you must ensure the following:

1. You have appointed a Responsible Person (RP) based in the EU or UK. The Responsible Person ensures that the cosmetic placed on the market complies with the current regulations.

2. You have compiled a Product Information File and made it available at the address displayed on the packaging of the product. Check out our blog on PIF for further information.

3. Have your cosmetic product assessed for safety by suitably qualified safety assessor. Cosmetic Product Safety Report (CPSR) produced is a component of the Product Information File. The safety assessment can be conducted in-house, as long as suitably qualified personnel is available, otherwise, it must be outsourced to an independent safety assessor. Check our previous blog posts for further information regarding CPSR.

4. You have made sure that the labeling of your products displays all the mandatory information. This includes product name and function, Responsible Person name and address, list of ingredients, minimum durability, and other information as specified in the Regulation.

5. You have made sure claims made are substantiated, truthful, compliant with current regulations, honest and allow for informed decision making by the average consumer.

6. Last but not least, you have notified your products to CPNP (Cosmetic Product Notification Portal, or future equivalent in the UK).

Watch this space for upcoming blog posts exploring further aspects of cosmetic regulations. Cosmetic regulatory compliance doesn't end at the six steps described above, it's only the beginning.

Please get in touch via info@moleculeregulatoryservices.co.uk for further information on the above or other cosmetic regulation topics.

#cosmeticproductsafetyreport #cosmeticsafetyassessment #cosmeticregulation #compliantcosmetics