If you sell skincare, perfume, haircare or beauty products in the UK, the compliance rules have changed again. A major part of the updated rules is the increasing need to appoint a UK Responsible Person. This applies to brands that make, import or sell cosmetics in the UK, and it has now become a requirement for most cosmetic products on the market.

A UK Responsible Person for cosmetics is now mandatory for many companies. Marketplaces and regulators are asking for proof of compliance before allowing listings, which is why cosmetic brands are acting quickly.

What Changed After the New UK Rule

After Brexit, the UK introduced its own law for cosmetics, known as the UK Cosmetics Regulation. This replaced the old EU rules for products sold in Great Britain. The regulation requires every cosmetic product to have a UK Responsible Person who takes legal responsibility for safety and compliance.

During the transition period, cosmetic brands were still allowed to show an EU Responsible Person address on product labels. This gave companies extra time to prepare for the change. The UK government extended this deadline several times, but the current date is final. All cosmetic products sold in Great Britain must show a UK Responsible Person by 31 December 2027.

Many companies are updating labels, ingredients and packaging now because the new rule also affects compliance checks. This includes following the correct UK cosmetics labelling and safety rules.

What Does a UK Responsible Person Cosmetics Do?

A UK Responsible Person is the company or individual that takes legal responsibility for a cosmetic product before it is sold in the UK. This person makes sure the product meets all safety and labelling rules and that the correct documents are available if a regulator or marketplace asks for proof.

Before Brexit, UK cosmetic products followed EU rules. Once the UK left the EU, the government introduced its own system which requires a Responsible Person based in the UK. This ensures there is a clear legal contact inside the country who can answer compliance questions, submit documents and deal with safety concerns.

Responsibilities of the UK Responsible Person

A Responsible Person UK cosmetics role involves taking legal responsibility for a product before it is sold in Great Britain. Their job is to make sure the product meets safety requirements and that the correct documents are available when a marketplace or regulator asks for them.

Key responsibilities include:
• Preparing and maintaining the Product Information File (PIF)
• Keeping safety documentation ready and updated
• Submitting product details through the SCPN portal
• Checking ingredients, banned substances and safety limits
• Acting as the contact for compliance and safety requests

They must also monitor UK cosmetics banned and restricted ingredients to ensure the product remains compliant.

The Responsible Person deals with the Office for Product Safety and Standards and answers any requests for documents or safety details. This helps keep products on the market without delays or enforcement action.

New Ingredient Restrictions for Uk Cosmetics

Another reason cosmetic companies are preparing early is because the ingredient rules are not staying the same. The UK has already announced a series of changes that will take effect through 2025 and 2026. These updates introduce new safety limits and restrictions for certain substances, and some products may need reformulation or new labels to remain compliant.

A clear example is the new limit set for Kojic acid. There are also new checks on how cosmetic claims are presented. Product safety on its own is not sufficient. The statements used on packaging and websites must follow the correct rules and avoid misleading marketing. You can refer to guidance from Euverify on cosmetic claims for more detail.

These changes are a major reason brands are acting sooner. Ingredient limits, safety rules and claim requirements all connect to the duties of the UK Responsible Person, so companies are updating formulas, checking documents and reviewing packaging well before the 2027 deadline.

Why Are Cosmetic Brands Rushing Now?

The main reason for the rush is the upcoming deadline. From 31 December 2027, any product sold in Great Britain must show a UK address for the UK Responsible Person cosmetics requirement. An EU Responsible Person will not be accepted for the GB market once the deadline passes.

There are several reasons companies are acting early:
• Marketplaces may delay or block listings if the Responsible Person cosmetics details are missing
• Border checks and enforcement by OPSS are increasing
• Brands need enough time to update packaging and labels
• Ingredient changes and documentation reviews take planning

Cosmetic companies are working ahead of time because after the deadline, products without a UK Responsible Person will not meet the legal requirement for selling in Great Britain.

How Euverify Supports Cosmetic Compliance

Euverify supports cosmetic companies that need practical help with UK and EU compliance. Instead of managing different rules alone, you have a service that handles the required checks and documents for your products. 

Euverify helps with:
• Acting as your UK Responsible Person service
• Checking labels, packaging information and product details
• Preparing and maintaining safety documents for cosmetics
• Managing SCPN notification when placing products on the UK market
• Reviewing ingredient limits and updates
• Helping you stay organised before a regulator or marketplace asks for proof

This gives businesses a straightforward way to stay compliant, avoid delays and keep products on the UK market without confusion.

Make Your Cosmetics Compliant for the UK Market

Appointing a UK Responsible Person has become an essential step for selling cosmetics in Great Britain. The deadline is approaching, and companies are acting early to avoid issues with labels, ingredients and documentation. Preparing now helps prevent problems later, especially as marketplaces and regulators increase their checks.

Euverify supports cosmetic businesses by helping them meet the requirement and stay compliant before there is a problem. You can contact Euverify if you need help or want guidance on your next steps.

FAQs

1. What does the new UK regulation require from cosmetics brands regarding a Responsible Person?
   The regulation requires every cosmetic product sold in Great Britain to have a UK Responsible Person cosmetics contact who takes legal responsibility for safety, labelling and documents.

2. Why are UK cosmetics companies rushing to appoint a Responsible Person now?
   The deadline is approaching. After 31 December 2027, an EU address will not be valid for Responsible Person UK cosmetics, and products without one may not be accepted on the market.

3. What responsibilities does a Responsible Person have under the UK Cosmetics Regulation?
   A Responsible Person cosmetics UK must keep safety documents, maintain the PIF, submit SCPN details and respond to authorities if needed.

4. What happens if a UK cosmetics brand fails to appoint a Responsible Person before the new rule extension deadline?
   Products may be delayed, blocked or removed from sale. A missing Responsible Person cosmetics contact can also lead to checks or enforcement from regulators.
5. Can overseas cosmetics manufacturers designate a UK based Responsible Person to stay compliant?

Yes. Overseas brands can appoint a UK Responsible Person cosmetics to meet the legal requirement and keep products on the UK market.