[Home](/)/[Resources](/resources)/UK Cosmetics Regulations CosmeticsGB Regulation # UK Cosmetics Regulations: Safety and Compliance Guide The UK Cosmetics Regulation (Retained EU Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009 as amended) governs the safety, labeling, and marketing of cosmetic products in Great Britain. Compliance requires a Responsible Person, safety assessment, Product Information File, and notification to the Office for Product Safety and Standards. Copy Link[Share on WhatsApp](https://wa.me/?text=https%3A%2F%2Fkrono-labs.com%2Fguides%2Fuk-cosmetics-regulations) ## Safety requirements ### Safety assessment A qualified safety assessor must evaluate the product and confirm it is safe for human health when used under normal or reasonably foreseeable conditions of use. ### Product Information File (PIF) Comprehensive documentation including description, manufacturing method, safety assessment, evidence of effects, animal testing data, and labeling. ### Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) Cosmetics must be manufactured according to GMP principles, typically ISO 22716, ensuring quality and safety throughout production. ### Animal testing ban Animal testing for cosmetic products and ingredients is prohibited in the UK. This includes testing for product safety, efficacy, or any other purpose. ## Labeling requirements Name and address of the Responsible Person Nominal content by weight or volume Date of minimum durability (best before date) or Period After Opening (PAO) Precautions for use and warnings Batch number for identification Product function (unless clear from presentation) List of ingredients in descending order of weight (INCI names) ## Responsible Person obligations Every cosmetic product placed on the GB market must have a UK Responsible Person (RP) established in Great Britain. The RP is legally responsible for ensuring compliance with all cosmetics regulations. Key RP obligations include: * Ensuring product safety through safety assessment * Maintaining the Product Information File (PIF) * Notifying the product to OPSS before market placement * Ensuring proper labeling and claims * Reporting serious undesirable effects (SUEs) * Cooperating with authorities and making PIF available For manufacturers outside the UK, appointing a UK RP is mandatory before placing cosmetics on the GB market. ## Notification process Before placing a cosmetic product on the GB market, the Responsible Person must notify it to OPSS through the UK cosmetic product notification portal (Submit Cosmetic Product Notification, SCPN). The notification includes: product category, name, Responsible Person details, country of origin (for imports), contact point for SUE reporting, presence of nanomaterials, and original labeling. For products already notified in the EU before the end of the transition period, specific arrangements may apply. Always verify current requirements with OPSS. ## Learn this properly, not just for one product In-depth courses and books that teach the process — not a one-off answer you'll need to look up again next time. [Start the course — $149](/courses/58-uk-compliance-cosmetic-products)See your free roadmap [Prefer to read? Get the book — $34.99](/books/58-uk-compliance-cosmetic-products) ## Frequently asked questions ### Who can be a UK Responsible Person for cosmetics? A UK Responsible Person must be established in the UK (Great Britain for GB market, NI for NI market). This can be the manufacturer (if UK-based), an importer, a distributor, or a dedicated Responsible Person service provider. They take legal responsibility for compliance. ### Do I need to notify cosmetics to OPSS? Yes, all cosmetic products placed on the GB market must be notified to the Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS) through the UK cosmetic product notification portal before being placed on the market. ### What is the difference between PAO and best before date? PAO (Period After Opening) indicates how long the product is safe to use after opening (shown by jar symbol with number of months). Best before date is used for products stable for 30+ months unopened. Products stable less than 30 months must have best before date. 🇬🇧 UK roadmap for your product Every standard, document, and test that applies — free, no account required. See your free roadmap[ Want an expert to take your product through 🇬🇧 UK compliance for you? One consultant from Krono's compliance team takes your product from requirements to legal sale, with a fixed quote before any work starts. See compliance services](/services) Learn this properly In-depth course that teaches the full process, not just this one answer. [Start the course — $149](/courses/58-uk-compliance-cosmetic-products)[Prefer to read? Get the book — $34.99](/books/58-uk-compliance-cosmetic-products) Related guides * [UKCA Marking OverviewComplete guide to UKCA marking for the Great Britain market: requirements, timeline, costs, GB vs NI differences, and how to tr…](/guides/ukca-marking) * [UK Responsible PersonComplete guide to UK Responsible Person requirements: when appointment is required, obligations by product category, and how to…](/guides/uk-responsible-person) * [UK REACH ChemicalsComplete guide to UK REACH: substance registration, restrictions, authorisation, and compliance obligations for chemicals place…](/guides/uk-reach-chemicals) * [UK Market Compliance OverviewComplete guide to UK market compliance for foreign companies: regulatory framework, key obligations, and steps to enter the Gre…](/guides/uk-market-compliance-overview) Educational resource only. Cosmetics regulations are regularly updated. Always verify current requirements with OPSS.