At Fillcon, we believe in providing the best service that we can for your cosmetic sampling solution needs. We manufacture high quality sachets for cosmetic sampling, fulfilling orders of 10,000 or more, and work with our trusted manufacturing partners to procure bottles, tubes, tins, and more, which we can fill with your product.

Making sure that the rules and regulations are followed is an important step of the packaging and manufacturing  process. Without following the proper procedures you’re at risk of breaking the law. We make sure all of our sampling and filling solutions are compliant with the latest UK legislation, but there are other things you will want to be aware of as well.

This is not an exhaustive list of all the legislation surrounding cosmetic products and sampling, but it should give you a good first look at the regulations of the industry.

Why does the UK have Cosmetic Regulations?

With cosmetic products and samples, there are a number of regulations attached that serve as guidance for their production, packaging, and distribution throughout the UK.

These regulations serve several key purposes, including:

  • Ensuring the safety of animals through restrictions on animal testing.
  • Keeping consumers of cosmetic products safe with vigorous testing and strict guidelines.
  • Protecting businesses by outlining what needs to be included on packaging, in technical documentation, and within the product itself.
  • Reducing the environmental impact of cosmetics through the prohibition of things like plastic microbeads.

Cosmetic products are required to have a legally defined “responsible person” associated with them to ensure safety measures and legal requirements are met.

Safety assessments need to be carried out to ensure the cosmetics are safe for human use, taking into account the intended function of the product, its ingredients, and potential risks associated with it.

Manufacturers must ensure that their cosmetics are manufactured and packaged in a hygienic environment. Microbiological testing must be carried out to make sure that the product is free of harmful bacteria and other microorganisms.

At Fillcon we ensure your cosmetic product packaging and samples operate smoothly. With machines of optimal quality that go through rigorous testing, our facilities are the best they can be provide assurance during each stage of the production process. Get in touch to start with us today!

As well as regulations on the physical product there are also regulations that cover the labelling, advertising claims, and documentation of products. While there can appear to be a lot of regulations involved, they all serve to protect both businesses and customers alike.

For more information, look at our article on legal requirements for packaging in the UK. >

What Classes as a Cosmetic Product?

In the UK, there are several factors that need to be considered when determining whether or not a substance is actually classed as a cosmetic product. These include the purpose of the product, the intent behind its use, and the contents of the product.

What is the Purpose of the Product?

A product is counted as a cosmetic when its intended use is to perfume, clean, remove body odour, protect (i.e. sun cream), maintain the condition of, or change the appearance of a part of your body. Which parts are included in this are listed in the section on the intended use location of the product.

What this basically means is products designed to aid with hygiene or beauty are typically classed as cosmetics. On the other hand, a product with direct health benefits will not meet this same classification as its intended use is not purely cosmetic.

For example, a product designed to conceal a spot will count as cosmetic. A similar product that conceals a spot, but has the added benefit of preventing further spots, also counts as cosmetic. Meanwhile, a spot treatment cream will not count as a cosmetic as it is intended to cure an ailment.

Where is the Product Intended for Use?

The location in which a product is meant to be used is another determining factor on whether is meets the legal definition of a cosmetic product.

The applicable locations for a product to count as a cosmetic are:

  • Hair
  • Nails
  • Lips
  • Teeth
  • Epidermis (skin)
  • External genitals
  • The oral cavity’s mucous membrane

These locations are generally external, and if a product is not intended to be used on one of them it isn’t likely to be a cosmetic. For example, something like an ingested tablet, eye drops, or ear drops are not cosmetics, while toothpaste and deodorants are.

What does the Product Contain?

The ingredients contained within a product determine whether or not it counts as a cosmetic. There are levels and limits to harmful chemicals that can be contained in certain products. Exceeding these limits will cause your product to be classed either as not a cosmetic, or an illegal cosmetic.

In accordance with UK law, your product should not contain any ingredients which are prohibited in cosmetics. There are also restricted ingredients that are allowed in certain quantities – for example, tooth-whiteners can contain up to 0.1% Hydrogen Peroxide, meaning any that have an excess are classed as illegal cosmetics.

Non-cosmetic products may fall under other regulations, such as for foods, biocides, or general safety regulations. Care must be taken to ensure that cosmetics are not classed as medicines due to their presentation, ingredients, or claims about its effects, as these come with their own strict rules and regulations.

What is Good Manufacturing Practice?

Good Manufacturing Practice, or GMP for short, is the minimum standard a medicine’s manufacturer must meet in their production processes. If your product meets the criteria for a cosmetic product, it will not be subject to this law, and you can disregard this section.

To meet GMP standards, a product must be of a consistent high quality, be suitable for their intended application, and meet any requirements of their product specification or marketing authorisation.

Organisations who must comply with GMP and good distribution practices include manufacturers, wholesale dealers, blood establishments, and non-UK sites employed by UK marketing authorisation holders.

Inspections and checks are made by regulatory agencies to ensure that GMP requirements are being met. This includes inspection when an application is made for a relevant license, periodic checks, and checks on overseas manufacturing sites. Different laws apply to sites that produce veterinary medicines.

For a full overview on the rules and regulations that surround GMP regarding medicines in the UK, check out the government website. For more insights on medicinal packaging solutions, look at our tips on using bottles for medicine.

What is Included in Cosmetic Product Safety Information?

To ensure that your cosmetic products are safe to use, there are various rules and regulations that surround them. This includes the precautions that have to be taken by users of cosmetic products, as well as the labelling that has to be provided to outline these considerations.

The labelling of cosmetic products is important to ensure that they are used correctly and prevent any health and safety concerns for consumers. The labelling must include:

  • The name and address of the manufacturer or importer.
  • An ingredients list, following the proper UK guidelines.
  • A durability marking, i.e. a “best before” or “use by” date.
  • The function/instructions for use of the product.
  • Precautions that must be taken when using the product.

It is an offence to supply an incorrectly labelled cosmetic product. It is also an offence not to undertake the relevant safety assessments, and technical documentation must be recorded and compiled properly.

The “Regulation 2009/1223” sets out the main requirements that cosmetic products need to meet before they can be put onto UK markets.

Cosmetic products need to be packaged in a way that shows it for what it is. The presentation of the product, from its form and odour to its colour, appearance, and packaging specifics, must all indicate that it is a cosmetic and not in fact a foodstuff. Otherwise, the health and safety of customers is at risk.

Likewise, the labelling and description of the product, along with instructions for its use and disposal, must provide the ability for consumers to use the product as it is intended.

If you have a product that you’d like us to fill, or are in need of sachet manufacturing for your cosmetic samples, get in touch or request a quote!

When is the Labelling of ‘Nominal Content’ Exempt?

For general cosmetics, such as those packaged within bottles, jars, tubes, or pouches, there is a requirement to display a ‘nominal net content icon’. What this essentially means is that the quantity of solids or liquids contained within must be displayed on the product packaging is grams (g) or millilitres (ml).

However, there are exceptions to this rule. Cosmetic products that weigh less than five grams, contain less than five millilitres, or are stored within capsules, samples, or sachets (such as those manufactured and filled by Fillcon!), are generally exempt from nominal content labelling.

Packaging with nominal content labelling has generally been accompanied by an ‘℮’ symbol. Contrary to popular belief, this symbol does not mean that the quantity of the product is an estimation. Instead, this symbol means that the weight or volume of the product has been weighed according to EU legislation.

Since leaving the EU, legislation regarding nominal content labelling for cosmetic products in the UK has somewhat changed. In this case, from the 1st of January, 2021, there is no longer the requirement for packages to display this symbol.

Using the ‘℮’ is now considered a declaration from packagers that the contents of the product comply with the ‘average system’.

Check out the top seven benefits of using a British cosmetic supplier. >

Cosmetic Sampling Solutions with Fillcon

Whether its sampling for your new cosmetics brand to get your name on the market, or if you have a liquid product needing filling into bottles, pouches, tubes, tins, or jars, we have you covered.

Following the regulations for cosmetic products and samples will keep everything running smoothly, preventing nasty surprises and making sure the health and safety of your customers is given proper consideration.

If you’re interesting the cosmetic solutions offered by Fillcon, get a quote or contact us today! We have more helpful articles below that you can check out if you’re after more information or advice.

For more advice, check out our beginner’s guide on selling cosmetics internationally. >

Take a look at our insights on cosmetic trends for 2023 and 2024. >