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UK cosmetics legislation
UK Responsible Person (RP)
Every cosmetic product placed on the Great Britain market must have a designated UK Responsible Person (RP). The Responsible Person serves as the primary contact for the UK competent authorities and is responsible for ensuring that the product complies with the applicable requirements of UK cosmetics legislation.
This page explains the role and responsibilities of the UK Responsible Person. Information on equivalent requirements in other markets can be found on the respective country and regional pages.
Definition
What is a Responsible Person?
Similar to the EU, the UK RP is responsible for ensuring that cosmetic products:
- Are safe for human health
- Comply with UK cosmetics legislation
Only cosmetic products for which a legal or natural person is designated within the Community as 'responsible person' shall be placed on the market. (EU Regulation 1223/2009, Article 4.1)
Eligibility
Who can be a UK Responsible Person?
Eligibility
Who can be a UK Responsible Person?
Any legal or natural person established in the UK, including:
- Manufacturer (if UK-based)
- Importer
- Distributor
- A third party/company accepting the role in writing
There must be one RP per product for the UK market.
Key requirements
- RP must be established in the UK
- Must be appointed via written mandate and accept the role
- RP can be the manufacturer (if established in the UK), a distributor, an importer, or a professional (designated) Responsible Person
- Each product must be linked to a single UK RP
Who needs a UK Responsible Person (RP)?
A UK Responsible Person is generally required if you are:
- a manufacturer located outside the UK;
- a brand owner marketing cosmetics in the UK;
- an importer looking to appoint an independent RP;
- an online retailer placing products on the UK market.
Compliance duties
Core obligations
Responsible persons shall ensure compliance with Articles 3, 8, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, Article 19(1), (2) and (5), as well as Articles 20, 21, 23 and 24. (UK Regulation, Article 5.1.)
The RP must ensure:
- A Product Information File (PIF) is kept at a UK address
- PIF is accessible to UK authorities
- Compliance with safety, GMP, labelling, and ingredient restrictions
- Notification via SCPN
Our UK Responsible Person service includes
- Appointment as your UK Responsible Person
- Maintenance of the Product Information File
- Communication with competent authorities
- Review of regulatory documentation
- Regulatory advice
- SCPN notifications
- Support during inspections
- Post-market surveillance support
- Management of serious undesirable effects
- Regulatory updates
Practical duties
Responsibilities in practice
01
Safety & regulatory compliance
Ensure product safety and compliance before and during market placement.
04
Substantiate product claims
Ensure the product claims are properly substantiated and in line with the cosmetic product definition.
07
Report undesirable effects
Report undesirable or serious undesirable effects to UK authorities.
08
Take corrective actions
Take corrective actions (recall, withdrawal, etc.) if non-compliance occurs.
09
Cooperate with authorities
Cooperate with UK competent authorities upon request.
Why independent RP
Why appoint an independent Responsible Person?
Why independent RP
Why appoint an independent Responsible Person?
Many companies choose an independent RP because it:
- provides a single point of contact with authorities;
- simplifies market access across the UK;
- avoids transferring regulatory responsibility to importers or distributors;
- allows greater control over regulatory documentation;
- provides ongoing regulatory expertise.
Our process
How our Responsible Person service works
01
Sign Agreement
Sign the Responsible Person agreement.
02
Review Documentation
Review your product documentation.
03
Identify Missing Requirements
Identify any missing compliance requirements.
04
Complete PIF
Complete the preparation of the Product Information File (PIF).
05
Notify Through SCPN
Notify the product through SCPN.
06
Provide Ongoing Support
Continue supporting you after market launch.
Related services
Related services
CE.way can offer various services related to UK Responsible Person. We can offer:
Client reviews
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"We were looking for a stand-alone service, not too sure what to expect... The professionalism, the assistance and the responsiveness were very much appreciated, amongst the best we have ever experienced."
"We are a small manufacturing company located in the US. We recently used CE.way Regulatory Consultants to help guide us through the Cosmetic regulatory changes that have taken place in the EU. They were instrumental in helping us understand the new laws and streamline the entire process. I would highly recommend their services."
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