Alerts

Brexit Update: UK Cosmetics Regulation

A display shelf in a cosmetic store holding various shades of pressed powders

February 4, 2021

New cosmetics regulation introduces additional requirements for selling cosmetic products in the UK

A Trade and Cooperation Agreement has been negotiated between the EU and the UK, and the new UK Cosmetics Regulation entered into force on January 1, 2021. Initially, the content of the UK Cosmetics Regulation will mirror that of the current EU regulation on cosmetics, EC 1223/2009, though there are some differences. To sell cosmetic products in the UK, companies should note the following:

  • Companies will need to establish a responsible person (RP) in the UK. Importers of products into the UK will automatically be considered the UK RP unless the importer has nominated a third party to be the RP by written mandate.
  • New products sold in the UK after January 1, 2021, must be notified using the new UK cosmetic notification portal before being made available on the UK market.
  • All products sold in the UK up to December 31, 2020, that will continue to be sold in the UK after January 1, 2021, must be notified to the UK authorities with the details of the UK RP before March 31, 2021, via the UK portal.
  • For new products placed on the UK market after January 1, 2021, the name and address of the UK RP must be printed on the product label. The country of origin must also be present if the product is made outside of the UK. "Made in EU" is not acceptable. Products already on sale in the UK before this date must have their labels updated to include these details by January 1, 2023.
  • Product information files (PIF) in English must be available to the UK authorities at the address of the UK RP.
  • Product safety assessments must be performed by a safety assessor who, at the time of the product being placed on the UK market, holds qualifications recognized by the UK.
  • Products that were sold into the EU or UK markets before January 1, 2021, (proof will be required) may be made further available in either market or circulate between them until they reach the end user.
  • As per the EI/NI protocol, EU cosmetic regulation EC 1223/2009 will still be applicable in Northern Ireland. This means that products sold into Northern Ireland will need to comply with EU regulations.

How Exponent Can Help

Exponent can act as an RP in the UK, and all our safety assessors have UK-recognized qualifications. We can fully support EU companies wishing to sell cosmetic products into the UK.