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Making a cosmetic product?
Read moreThe following is a list of UK legislation and guidance documents for example purposes.
Note: This list has been drawn up as a guide only and is not exhaustive.
Advertising and Promotion Claims
The following are applicable to products placed on the UK market:
- The Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations (SI No 1277 of 2008)
- The Business Protection from Misleading Marketing Regulations (SI No 1276 of 2008), amended 2013 (SI No 2701)
- Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988 and (Commencement No 1) Order 1989 (SI 1989 No 816)
- The British Codes of Advertising & Sales Promotion (March 2010) - available from the Committees of Advertising Practice (CAP)
Aerosol Legislation
Aerosol Dispensers Regulations 2009 (SI 2009 No. 2824)
For more information and guidance, visit the The British Aerosol Manufacturers' Association (BAMA) website.
Alcohol Legislation
Alcoholic Liquor Duties Act 1979
The Denatured Alcohol Regulations 2005 (SI 2005 No. 1524)
Customs & Excise Notice 473 (January 2012) 'Production, distribution and use of denatured alcohol'*
Customs & Excise Notice 64 (January 2012) 'Spirits in Imported Goods: Remission of Excise Duty'*
Customs & Excise Notice 47 (January 2012) 'Duty Free Spirits: use in manufacture or for medical or scientific purposes' - available from HM Revenue & Customs.
Dangerous Substances Legislation (CLP)
The Chemicals (Hazard Information and Packaging for Supply) Regulations 2009 (SI 2002 No. 1689) (CHIP 4) gradually being replaced by Regulation EC No. 1272/2008 on Classification, Labelling and Packaging of Substances and Mixtures.
Detergent Legislation
Main legislation is through The Detergents (Composition) Regulations as amended.
Contact the UK Cleaning Products Industry Association (UKCPI) for further guidance.
Packaging and Packaging Waste
The Producer Responsibility Obligations (Packaging Waste) Regulations 2007 (SI No 871 of 2007 ) and amendments
Packaging (Essential Requirements) Regulations 2003 (SI 2003 No 1941) and amendments.
REACH Regulation
European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) – EU REACH
Health and Safety Executive (HSE) – UK REACH
Weights and Measures Legislation
The Weights & Measures (Packaged Goods) Regulations 2006 (SI No 659 of 2006)
The Weights & Measures (Quantity Marking & Abbreviation of Units) Regulations 1987 (SI No 1538 of 1987) and their 1988 Amendment (SI No 627 of 1988) and 1994 Amendment (SI No 1852 of 1994)
The Weights & Measures (Cosmetic Products) Order 1994 (SI No 1884 of 1994)
Other Legislation Affecting Cosmetics
The Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations (COSHH) (SI 2002 No 2677) as amended
The Food Imitations (Safety) Regulations 1989 (SI 1989 No 1291)
The Environmental Protection Act 1990
The Pollution Prevention & Control Regulations 2000 (SI 2000 No 1973) as amended
The Price Marking Order 2004 (SI 2004 No 102)
The General Product Safety Regulations 2005 (SI 2005 No 1803) - Government guidance available
The Toy (Safety) Regulations 2011 (SI No 1881 of 2011)
All the above documents can be obtained from legislation.gov.uk or The Stationery Office
