Selling cosmetic products in the United Kingdom requires more than developing an attractive formula and packaging it professionally. Businesses must understand product safety, labelling, responsible person requirements, and the notification process that applies before cosmetics are placed on the market.
Submit Cosmetic Product Notification (SCPN) is an important step for businesses that intend to sell cosmetic products in Great Britain. The process involves providing specific product information through the UK government’s Submit Cosmetic Product Notifications service. Understanding the requirements helps cosmetic brands prepare accurate records, avoid preventable delays, and meet their regulatory responsibilities.
Whether you are launching a skincare range, developing a new makeup collection, or expanding an established beauty business into the UK, this guide explains how the notification process works, what information you need, and which compliance requirements deserve attention.
What Is Submit Cosmetic Product Notification (SCPN)?
Submit Cosmetic Product Notification (SCPN) refers to the UK notification system used to inform the Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS) about cosmetic products made available to consumers in Great Britain. The area includes England, Scotland, and Wales. Businesses must complete the required notification before making their cosmetic products available to consumers in this market.
The system helps the relevant authority access information about cosmetic products, including their ingredients and the people responsible for them. This information supports regulatory oversight and helps authorities respond to product safety concerns when necessary. Cosmetic products covered by these requirements include:
- Face creams, moisturisers, and serums.
- Shampoos, conditioners, and hair styling products.
- Lipsticks, foundations, and other makeup products.
- Perfumes, deodorants, and body sprays.
- Bath products, soaps, and body washes.
- Nail varnishes and other cosmetic nail products.
- Sunscreens and tanning products.
The precise obligations depend on the product, its formulation, and how it is placed on the market. Businesses should not assume that a product is exempt simply because it is sold online, distributed as a free sample, or supplied through a professional salon.
It is also important to distinguish Great Britain from Northern Ireland. Great Britain uses the UK Submit Cosmetic Product Notification (SCPN) system, whereas Northern Ireland follows a separate notification route associated with the EU Cosmetics Products Notification Portal (CPNP). A notification in one system should not automatically be treated as a notification in the other.
However, submitting a notification does not mean that the government has approved the product’s safety or certified that it meets every legal requirement. The responsible business must still ensure that the product is safe, correctly labelled, and compliant with the relevant cosmetic regulations.
Who Is Responsible for Submitting an SCPN Notification?
The Responsible Person has a central role in UK cosmetic compliance. This is the person or business accountable for ensuring that the product meets the applicable legal requirements.
Depending on the circumstances, the Responsible Person may be the manufacturer, importer, distributor selling a product under its own brand, or a person or company formally appointed to act in that role. For cosmetic products placed on the Great Britain market, the Responsible Person must meet the applicable UK establishment requirements.
Before planning to Submit Cosmetic Product Notification (SCPN), a business should establish who will fulfil this responsibility. Consider these examples:
- A UK manufacturer: The manufacturer may act as the Responsible Person for its own cosmetic products.
- An overseas brand entering Great Britain: The business needs to establish the appropriate UK Responsible Person arrangements.
- A UK importer: Importing cosmetics from another country may bring Responsible Person obligations, depending on the circumstances.
- A private-label brand: A distributor selling products under its own name may assume relevant legal responsibilities.
The Responsible Person must also ensure that the required product information is maintained, safety requirements are met, packaging information is appropriate, and relevant obligations are fulfilled. Appointing another party to assist with compliance does not remove the need to establish who holds legal responsibility.
Information Required Before You Submit an SCPN Notification:
Preparing the required information in advance can make the notification process more straightforward. Missing or inconsistent details may create unnecessary administrative work and make it harder to maintain accurate compliance records.
When you Submit Cosmetic Product Notification (SCPN), you should be prepared to provide the relevant information about your product, Responsible Person, and supporting documentation. The main information requirements include:
- Product category and name: Identify the cosmetic product clearly so that it can be distinguished from other products in your range.
- Responsible Person details: Provide the required name and contact information for the legally responsible person or business.
- Product Information File location: State the address where the Product Information File (PIF) is maintained.
- Emergency contact details: Supply contact information for a named person who can respond to urgent enquiries.
- Product composition: Prepare the required ingredient information, including details relevant to any nanomaterials.
- Product presentation: Gather the required information and images relating to the product’s packaging and identification.
- Nanomaterial information, where applicable: Additional details may be required depending on the type and regulatory status of the nanomaterial.
The precise information required can depend on the product and the circumstances of the notification. Businesses should consult the official SCPN submission guidance before beginning.
How to Submit Cosmetic Product Notification (SCPN)?
The process becomes easier to manage when businesses approach it in a clear sequence. Although individual product requirements may differ, the following steps provide a useful framework for cosmetic brands preparing to enter the Great Britain market.
Step 1: Identify Your Target Market
First, establish where you intend to sell the product. If your target customers are in England, Scotland, or Wales, you will generally need to follow the Great Britain notification requirements.
Step 2: Establish the Responsible Person
Before you Submit Cosmetic Product Notification (SCPN), confirm who will be legally responsible for the product. Verify that the arrangement meets the applicable UK requirements and that the information you provide matches the business’s actual regulatory responsibilities. This step is especially important for international brands, private-label businesses, and importers.
Step 3: Complete the Product Safety Requirements
Cosmetic products must undergo an appropriate safety assessment before being made available to consumers. A qualified safety assessor evaluates the product using information about its formulation, ingredients, intended use, exposure, and other relevant safety considerations.
The resulting Cosmetic Product Safety Report (CPSR) forms part of the Product Information File. Notification should not be treated as a replacement for this assessment.
Step 4: Organise the Product Information File
The PIF is a collection of documents that supports the product’s regulatory compliance. It generally includes:
- A description of the cosmetic product.
- The Cosmetic Product Safety Report.
- Information about the manufacturing method and Good Manufacturing Practice.
- Evidence supporting the product’s claimed effects, where applicable.
- Relevant information concerning animal testing.
The Responsible Person must keep the PIF available at the appropriate address and maintain it as necessary. Under the applicable Great Britain rules, it must generally be retained for ten years after the last batch was placed on the market.
Step 5: Access the Official SCPN Portal
Use the government’s Submit Cosmetic Product Notifications (SCPN) Service to access the notification system. One Login is required to use the service.
Step 6: Enter the Required Product Details
When you Submit Cosmetic Product Notification (SCPN), enter the required product details carefully. Check the product name, category, Responsible Person information, ingredient data, and other requested fields against your supporting records.
Step 7: Review Before Final Submission
Before submitting, review the information for missing fields, spelling mistakes, incorrect addresses, and inconsistencies between the product details and supporting documents.
Step 8: Maintain the Notification Record
Completing the notification is not the end of your compliance responsibilities. If product details, formulation, packaging, or Responsible Person information change, assess whether the notification and supporting documentation need to be updated.
A well-organised recordkeeping process makes it easier to identify what changed, when it changed, and which documents may need revision.
How Cosmetic Safety Pro Supports and Submit Cosmetic Product Notification (SCPN) Compliance?
Preparing a cosmetic product for the UK market involves several connected regulatory responsibilities. Brands need to understand the notification process while ensuring that their safety documentation and product labels are consistent with the applicable requirements.
Cosmetic Safety Pro provides cosmetic compliance services for businesses working towards UK and EU market entry. Our SCPN support helps brands navigate the notification process and organise the information required for their products. The company’s services also include Cosmetic Product Safety Reports (CPSRs), Product Information File (PIF) preparation, cosmetic label compliance reviews, and Responsible Person services.
When businesses prepare to Submit Cosmetic Product Notification (SCPN), professional support can help them understand the information they need, identify documentation gaps, and maintain consistency across their compliance records. Moreover, the cosmetic product safety assessment gives them multiple advantages that will ensure the brand’s growth in the huge market.
Cosmetic Safety Pro can assist businesses with the relevant compliance services, helping them approach these responsibilities in a more organised way. However, brands should confirm their specific requirements and ensure that all legal obligations are met before selling their products.
Conclusion
Understanding how to Submit Cosmetic Product Notification (SCPN) is an important part of preparing cosmetic products for sale in Great Britain. The process requires accurate product information, appropriate Responsible Person arrangements, and careful attention to the information requested through the official portal.
However, notification is only one part of cosmetic compliance. Businesses must also ensure that their products undergo the required safety assessment, maintain a complete Product Information File, meet labelling requirements, and comply with the relevant regulations.
If you need help preparing to Submit Cosmetic Product Notification (SCPN), working with an experienced cosmetic compliance provider like Cosmetic Safety Pro can help you understand the process and organise the relevant documentation before launch.
Frequently Asked Questions:
What does SCPN stand for?
SCPN stands for Submit Cosmetic Product Notifications. It is the UK notification system used to inform the Office for Product Safety and Standards about cosmetic products placed on the Great Britain market.
Who needs to submit an SCPN notification?
The Responsible Person must ensure that the required notification is completed before the cosmetic product is made available to consumers in Great Britain.
Is SCPN the same as CPNP?
No. SCPN applies to Great Britain, while CPNP is the notification system used for the EU market. The two systems have separate requirements.
Is Submit Cosmetic Product Notification (SCPN) notification proof that a cosmetic product is safe?
No. Notification does not replace the required cosmetic safety assessment or confirm that every regulatory obligation has been met. The Responsible Person remains accountable for compliance.
Can I sell cosmetics before completing Submit Cosmetic Product Notification (SCPN) notification?
You must complete the required notification before making a cosmetic product available to consumers in Great Britain. You should also ensure that all other applicable safety and compliance requirements have been met.
