HOW TO ENSURE COSMETIC PRODUCTS ARE SAFE TO SELL
SCIENTIFIC TESTING IS ESSENTIAL; HERE WE EXPLAIN HOW IT HAPPENS
Anyone that makes a cosmetic product – that is, a formulation which comes into contact with the hair or skin – is legally required to ensure it meets requirements before it can be marketed in the UK or further afield. A regulatory consultancy is able to guide manufacturers through the process needed to gain an essential Cosmetic Product Safety Report (CPSR): this is an assessment which checks for full compliance with current cosmetic regulations, and safety.
FIRST THINGS FIRST
One such consultancy is Medic Pro which offers analytical testing, and provides expert advice and step-by-step video courses. ‘For instance, before we can provide a CPSR quote we must know exactly what ingredients are in a product’s formula, so we offer detailed guidance on how best to gather all this information before sending it to us in the required format,’ explains Medic Pro’s director and principal consultant, Matt Taylor. A quote for the CPSR will then be prepared free of charge, along with confirmation of what laboratory tests are required to begin the assessment.
KNOW THE ASSESSMENT MATTERS
Each CPSR currently costs £390 plus VAT, ‘although there may be a discount for a range which has the same base ingredients, but with minor differences in, say, the colours or fragrances used in each one,’ points out Matt. ‘The assessment usually takes just a few days if all the documents provided meet the required threshold,’ he continues. ‘Once it has been completed, if the product doesn’t comply with regulations, changes recommended need to be made. If it does, that’s great – you’re on your way!’
BE AWARE OF SHELF LIFE
Formulations may need testing to check how stable they are, and for how long. Samples can be sent to a specialist laboratory for stability testing, but this can prove prohibitively expensive. ‘However, the manufacturer can choose to do the testing themselves by storing the product on site and checking for any changes over a predetermined period,’ says Matt. ‘For CPSR purposes, 12 weeks is the minimum duration of a stability test, whether it’s carried out in a lab or at home. A stability report is then provided at the same time the product information is sent for assessment.’
LABELLING CORRECTLY
Once a product has been assessed and certified, other legal obligations are required. ‘As part of the CPSR assessment, you are provided with a list of INCI* names for ingredients which should be used on the label,’ advises Matt. ‘You cannot make unsubstantiated claims, either, using words such as ‘heal’, for instance, because the product is cosmetic, not medical. Instructions for use should also be included.’
GOING FORWARDS
Along with the CPSR and compliant labelling, makers are required to keep a Product Information File (PIF) which provides a comprehensive up-to-date record of each item, with a code for each batch made and the ingredients used. It’s also necessary to notify the EU Cosmetic Products Notification Portal (CPNP) and the UK equivalent to inform the authorities you are placing a cosmetic on the market. For more information, contact medicpro.london