CTPA's Work

In this section:


The innovative and science-led cosmetics industry undertakes vital work on safety, sustainability, and self-esteem and wellbeing. CTPA works with partners to showcase a conscientious, world-leading industry that truly cares for people and our planet and is constantly striving to improve.

"We must learn from how, as an industry, we were agile when faced with the lockdown challenges. The effects of the global health pandemic will be long-term. Meeting our customers' self-care and wellbeing needs will be so important, but we must and can do this in a sustainable way. We need to avoid the false dichotomy that to flourish as an industry means you have to impact the environment. We are an innovative industry, so now is a great opportunity to build back sustainably and with purpose while meeting our consumers' needs and demands."


Robust UK Regulatory Framework

Strong relationships with UK Government has ensured that the UK Cosmetics Regulation is fit-for-purpose and correctly implements existing strict requirements, which were transposed from EU law, into the UK structures.  The start of the UK's new relationship with the EU on 1 January 2021 does not mean that over four years of dedicated focus on Brexit ends for the Association.  CTPA will continue to help members to adapt and familiarise themselves with the new requirements, and work with Government will continue as new processes are established; for example, for ingredient management.

This involves regular contact with officials, Special Advisors and Ministers at the Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy (BEIS), OPSS, Trading Standards, Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra), Department for International Trade (DIT), Home Office, HM Treasury, HM Revenue & Customs, Competition & Markets Authority (CMA), Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), Health & Safety Executive (HSE), Environment Agency, Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) and Clearcast. 

CTPA also has a Primary Authority Coordinated Partnership with Essex Trading Standards to provide assured advice to CTPA members.


Acting Globally

The cosmetics industry is a global industry and CTPA is as an active member of Cosmetics Europe, the European personal care trade association, as well as contributing to the International Associations Collaboration and liaising with our international colleagues in national associations worldwide. This ensures that we can provide our members with the very best up-to-date advice whilst working collaboratively to resolve challenges for the industry.

In addition, supporting the UK Government’s observer status on the International Cooperation on Cosmetics Regulation (ICCR) enables the CTPA to be close to regulatory discussions at a global level. 

Working with the DIT and members, CTPA is contributing to Free Trade Agreements and has collaborated with the UK Government on GMP certificates for China and market access barriers for Indonesia.


Advocating for Industry

CTPA is an active advocate for our members. We represent the British cosmetics industry through one strong and unified voice, ensuring industry remains competitive and is well served by sound, science-based regulation. CTPA is the voice of the British cosmetics industry, and therefore the credible authority not only towards the UK Government, but also trusted to act responsibly for the consumer.  

Having gone through uncertain times in regard to the UK’s exit from the European Union, CTPA is leading the British cosmetics and personal care industry as it carves out a path within the UK as a sovereign country with its own regulatory framework, and capitalises on new opportunities with international trading partners. The UK has a strong reputation for risk-based legislation, grounded on scientific principles and safety.  It is the role of CTPA to communicate the industry perspective on how these are best applied in practice.

CTPA has supported the whole of the British cosmetics industry, both member and non-member companies, in adapting to the UK-specific regulatory framework.  In addition to enabling members to succeed within the regulatory framework, CTPA is leading the British cosmetics industry towards becoming net positive.  Building on the great work members are doing individually on sustainability, the Association is bringing members together to share best practice and drive system-wide change to represent a balanced, conscientious, world-leading industry. CTPA will continue to work closely with our colleagues at Cosmetics Europe to drive sustainability principles, lending our scientific and regulatory expertise to help advocate for environmental legislation that is grounded in robust scientific evidence not only in the UK, but also at a European level.

Our industry continues to prove time and again that creativity, innovation, responsibility and inclusivity are able to come together to meet consumers’ needs, expectations and aspirations. As an industry, our products support the self-esteem and wellbeing of every single individual, and our products are an essential part of today´s society.

CTPA will continue to build on its well-earned reputation to face these challenges on a world stage.


Help for Media and Consumers

CTPA raises awareness of topical issues in a timely fashion through its consumer site, www.thefactsabout.co.uk, providing the media with rapid, scientifically rigorous responses to help them offer balanced reporting on the science behind cosmetic products and to put new research into perspective. Consumers can trust the products they use daily and it is important to explain that the myths and misinformation often found on the internet bear no relation to the safe use of ingredients in cosmetic products under the strict cosmetics laws.