Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS) has published new
data demonstrating protections for consumers from unsafe
cosmetics.
OPSS has published new data from the
Submit a Cosmetic Products Notification system
(SCPN) which forms part of its activity ensuring
businesses comply
with the cosmetics regulations that apply in
the UK. This follows a Science,
Innovation and Technology Select Committee
inquiry on the safety and regulation of beauty and cosmetic
products, including hair relaxers.
OPSS deputy chief executive Sarah gave evidence to the
Committee (3 June) alongside Department for
Business and Trade Minister for Employment Rights and
Consumer Safety MP.
OPSS has previously taken action where products
notified on SCPN contained banned chemicals, ensuring
businesses corrected information or removed
products containing prohibited ingredients.
The Committee's inquiry is investigating the role of
regulation and enforcement to protect consumers from harms
associated with non-surgical cosmetic
procedures and cosmetic products, as well
as understanding how scientific evidence is used
to inform regulation.
Notes
As of 28 May 2026 there have
been 861,686 notifications to the SCPN
system since it launched.
These have been notified by
24,112 registered Responsible Persons.
The SCPN was launched in December 2020 to enable businesses to
fulfil their legal obligation to notify the Secretary of State of
a cosmetic product intended to be placed on the Great Britain
market, replacing the EU's Cosmetics Products Notification Portal
(CPNP). Businesses placing cosmetics on the market in GB must
notify the SCPN, via their Responsible Person based in the
UK. Businesses placing cosmetics on the market in NI
must notify the CPNP, via their Responsible Person based in
either NI or the EEA.
For more information on cosmetic product safety, visit our
guidance on cosmetics.
