Cosmetic merchandise

Note. Although the UK has seceded from the European Union, some laws (formally known as “retained EU laws”) will continue to apply until they are replaced by new UK law; this means that in our guide you will still see references to EU regulations. techqueer

This guidance is for England, Scotland, and Wales

Cosmetics are subject to legal definition; Products used exclusively as medicines are excluded. Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009 on cosmetic products criminalizes the supply of cosmetic products that may be harmful to human health or contain certain restricted or prohibited substances.

It is a crime to supply an incorrectly labeled cosmetic product. Labeling requirements include manufacturer/importer name and address, ingredients, durability labeling, function, and precautions.

Finally, it is a crime to fail to comply with certain safety assessments and to collect technical documentation. digitalknowledgetoday

The regulation applies to commercial standard services in the UK in accordance with the Cosmetic Products Regulation 2013, which was amended by the Product Safety and Metrology Regulations, etc. (Amendments, etc.) (Withdrawal from the EU) of 2019. The regulation sets out the requirements to be met. before cosmetic products can be sold in the UK. There are also restrictions on testing products on animals. healthnutritionhints

What is a cosmetic product?

Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009 (referred to in this guide as the “Regulation”) defines a cosmetic product as “any substance or mixture intended to come into contact with the external parts of the human body (epidermis, capillary system, nails, lips, and external genitals ) or with teeth and oral mucous membranes for the sole or primary purpose of cleaning, flavoring them, changing their appearance, protecting them, keeping them in good condition or eliminating body odors. "

The regulation only applies to cosmetic products, not drugs, medical devices or biocides.

A substance or mixture intended to be swallowed, inhaled, injected, or implanted into the human body is not a cosmetic product. smartdiethealth

What about aromatherapy products?

These can be medicines, beauty products, or none, depending on their intended use. Unless they are drugs or cosmetic products, they are subject to the 2005 General Food Safety Regulations.

Contact your local Trade Standards Service for further advice on aromatherapy products.

Main provisions

The supply of a cosmetic product that is likely to be harmful to human health under normal or reasonably foreseeable conditions of use is an offense on the part of the responsible person in the UK, given: healthfitnesschampion

Its presentation (and, in particular, its shape, smell, color, appearance, packaging, labeling, volume, or size) must not threaten the health and safety of consumers due to the fact that they are confused with food.

it's marking

any instructions for its use and disposal

any other information provided by the person in charge

The responsible person in the UK can be any of the following:

manufacturer in the UK (or they may designate another person in writing to be in charge)

person in the UK appointed by a written mandate from a manufacturer located outside the UK

a distributor when he sells a cosmetic product under his own name or brand, or modifies a product already on sale in a way that could affect compliance with applicable requirements, such as repackaging or re-labeling

importer (established in the UK who places a product from the country outside the UK on the UK market)

Rules on animal testing

It is an offense to test a finished cosmetic product or ingredient on an animal for compliance with the Regulation.

The regulation also restricts the supply of cosmetic products whose final formulation or any ingredient or combination of ingredients have been tested on animals.

Marking/labeling

The following information must be indicated on the package or label:

Name and direction

The name and address of the UK responsible person must appear on the container (such as a tube, bottle, or can) and on the packaging (such as an outer carton or carton). If the product is manufactured outside The UK, the country of origin must also be indicated. To allow existing stocks to flow through the supply chain and reflect the typical shelf life of cosmetics, there will be a two-year transition period from 1 January 2021 before companies have to provide UK information. Responsible person on product labels (provided that the data of the EU responsible person is indicated).