1. Certification Overview
The UK government’s Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS) has mandated that cosmetics sold in the GB (Great Britain) market be registered on the Cosmetics Information Portal (SCPN) starting January 1, 2021, in accordance with Section 13 of the UK Cosmetics Regulation.
To launch cosmetic products within the UK, it is mandatory to appoint a Responsible Person (RP) based in the UK.
2. Regulatory Agencies and Basic Information
| Regulatory Agencies | OPSS (Office for Product Safety and Standards) |
| Testing Agency | Biorius https://biorius.com/ Bloom Regulatory https://www.bloomregulatory.com/ CE.way regulatory Consultants |
| Lead time / Price | Varies by product |
| Agent | A Responsible Person (RP) based in the UK is required. |
3. Registration Procedure
- Designation of a responsible person in the UK
- Preparation of Product Information File and Labeling – The Production Information File (PIF) must be managed in English and submitted immediately to enforcement authorities and market surveillance agencies to the provided UK address upon request.
- SCPN registration
4. Required Documents
| Product Information File (PIF) | • Product description including ingredient composition (Product name, product code, other identification numbers) • Safety assessment (Cosmetic Product Safety Report, CPSR) • Ingredient/Raw Material Data (INCI name, efficacy, CAS number, SDS, COA, IFRA, etc.) 1) SDS: Safety Data Sheet 2) COA: Certificate of Analysis 3) IFRA: International Fragrance Association Certificate • Declaration of GMP (Cosmetics Good Manufacturing Practices) compliance • Data proving stated cosmetic efficacy • Preservative efficacy test (Challenge Test) and expiration date setting • Safety test and packaging conformity documentation • Data on animal testing |
| Cosmetic Product Safety Report (CPSR) -Part A | • Provided by the Responsible Person (RP); product testing may be required in some cases • Ingredients and concentrations, chemical names, and toxicological properties • Product safety • Microbial contamination of ingredients or the final product • How preservatives prevent microbial contamination • Impurities • Product packaging materials • Expected product usage and exposure levels |
| Cosmetic Product Safety Report (CPSR) -Part B | • Product safety assessment prepared by a safety assessor based on the information in Part A • Product safety assessment results • Necessary warnings or usage instructions • Scientific basis for safety assessment conclusions • Assessor information, such as name, address, and credentials |
| Contents including label | • Name and address of the RP (Responsible Person in the UK) 1) Information on the Korean manufacturer may also be displayed on the label • Country of origin (mandatory for imports) • Nominal content (g/ml) • Shelf life (best before date or use-by date after opening) • List of ingredients (INCI name) • Product function (if not clear from packaging/labeling) • Precautions and warnings for use (written in the official language of the exporting country) • Manufacturing batch number |
5. Validity Period
- No separate expiration date is set
Source
SCPN Information page
Regulation 2009/1223 and the Cosmetic Products Enforcement Regulations 2013: Great Britain
Guidance on cosmetics in the UK