All cosmetic products placed on the market of the United Kingdom (England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland) intended for sale, or to be given away for free, in the course of a commercial activity must comply with:
- Schedule 34 of the Product Safety and Metrology Statutory Instrument (hereafter ‘the UK Cosmetics Regulation’ or UK CR) for cosmetics marketed in Great Britain (England, Wales and Scotland);
- Regulation EC 1223/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 30 November 2009 on cosmetic products (hereafter ‘the EU Cosmetics Regulation’ or EU CPR) for cosmetics marketed in Northern Ireland. This is in accordance with the terms of the Northern Ireland Protocol to the UK/EU Withdrawal Agreement.
Products placed on the market in the UK, which includes Great Britain (GB) and Northern Ireland (NI), must comply with both the UK Cosmetics Regulation (UK CR) and EU Cosmetic Products Regulation (EU CPR). The NI Protocol may be amended in the future as part of ongoing negotiations between the UK and the EU. CTPA will update this advice should the negotiated terms change.
CTPA has published detailed guidance related to the supply of cosmetic products into the market in the UK, as well as the EU (including NI). Go better understand the relevant guidance to the applicable legislation, we encourage you to download the guidance for the UK market as a first step. Further help can also be found by watching the recording of the CTPA open webinar on UK Regulations for cosmetics which took place on 9 March 2021.
The Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS) is the competent authority for cosmetic products in the UK, and has issued guidance on cosmetic compliance for the GB and NI markets, as well as a general guidance.
Specific Questions?
If you have specific questions, the Frequently Asked Questions section has a comprehensive list of the sort of questions we are routinely asked.
