How to Sell Cosmetics & Skincare on Amazon UK: A Guide to SCPN & Your UK Responsible Person

The UK beauty market is one of the most lucrative and influential in the world, with Amazon.co.uk being a key channel for consumers to discover and purchase skincare, makeup, and cosmetic products. However, it is also one of the most strictly regulated categories for consumer safety.

Following Brexit, the UK has implemented its own set of regulations, separate from the EU. For any brand—whether based in the UK, US, or EU—understanding and complying with these rules is not optional; it is the fundamental requirement for market access. This guide provides a clear, step-by-step process to ensure your brand is fully compliant and ready for success.

1. The Legal Foundation: The UK Cosmetics Regulation

All cosmetic and skincare products sold in the UK are governed by UK Cosmetics Regulation (Schedule 34 to the Product Safety and Metrology etc. Regulations 2019). This law defines what a cosmetic product is and lays out the three core pillars of compliance you must build your business on: appointing a Responsible Person, creating a Product Information File, and notifying the government.

2. The Responsible Person (RP): Your Legal Representative in the UK

This is the most critical requirement for any brand based outside of the United Kingdom.

• What is a Responsible Person? The RP is a designated legal person or company based in the UK that takes ultimate legal responsibility for your product's safety and regulatory compliance on the UK market. Their name and UK address must be printed on your product's label.
• Who Needs One? If your company is located outside the UK (including in the EU), you must formally appoint a UK-based RP. For UK-based brands, the brand itself is typically the RP.
• Key Duties of the RP:
  
  • Compiling and maintaining the Product Information File (PIF).
  • Ensuring a full Cosmetic Product Safety Report (CPSR) is completed by a qualified assessor.
  • Acting as the primary point of contact for UK authorities like the Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS).
  • Keeping records of and managing any undesirable effects reported by consumers.

The RP requirement is a significant structural and legal challenge for overseas brands. Sitruna offers a dedicated UK Responsible Person service, allowing your brand to meet this legal requirement seamlessly. We can act as your RP, managing your compliance from start to finish.

3. The Product Information File (PIF): Your Product's Dossier

Before any product is sold, the Responsible Person must create and hold a comprehensive technical file for it, known as the PIF. This must be kept readily available for inspection by authorities for 10 years.

The PIF must contain, at a minimum:

• A detailed description of the cosmetic product.
• The Cosmetic Product Safety Report (CPSR). This is the most crucial part of the PIF, a formal safety assessment conducted by a qualified professional.
• A description of the manufacturing process and a statement of compliance with Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP).
• Any data on animal testing.
• Proof of any effects claimed by the product (e.g., "hydrates for 24 hours").

4. The SCPN Portal: Notifying the UK Government

Once you have your RP and PIF in place, your product must be registered with the UK government before it hits the shelf.

• What is SCPN? The Submit Cosmetic Product Notifications (SCPN) is the UK's online portal. It is the legal responsibility of your UK Responsible Person to upload detailed information about each product to this portal.
• Post-Brexit System: The SCPN is the UK's replacement for the old EU-wide CPNP portal. Notifications made to the EU system are no longer valid for the UK market.
• Information Required: The notification includes the product category, formulation details (including nanomaterials or CMR substances), photos of the product, and an image of the final, compliant label.

5. UK Labelling Requirements: What Must Be on the Pack

The label on your product is a legal document. It must include:

• The name and UK address of your Responsible Person.
• The list of ingredients (using INCI nomenclature).
• The country of origin (if the product is made outside the UK).
• The nominal weight or volume.
• A "Period After Opening" (PAO) symbol or a "best before" date.
• The batch number for traceability.
• Any specific warnings or usage instructions.

Amazon will check for this information. Incorrect labelling is a common reason for listings to be suspended.

Sitruna's compliance service includes a full label review to ensure every detail meets the UK Cosmetics Regulation before you go into mass production.

Useful Resources

• UK Government Guidance on Cosmetics Regulation
• Submit Cosmetic Product Notifications (SCPN) Portal
• Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS)
• The Cosmetic, Toiletry and Perfumery Association (CTPA)

Compliance as a Mark of Quality

Navigating UK cosmetics regulations can seem daunting, but it's a clear roadmap to bringing a safe, trusted, and successful product to market. Compliance is not a barrier; it's a hallmark of a professional brand ready to win the trust of discerning UK beauty consumers.

Ready to launch your beauty brand in the UK but need an expert to handle the complex regulations? Schedule a free discovery call with the Sitruna team at www.sitruna.com/meet to learn how we can act as your UK Responsible Person and manage your entire compliance journey.

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