The Complete Guide to UK Cosmetic Labelling Requirements (2025)

Understanding UK cosmetic labelling regulations is essential for any brand planning to sell cosmetic goods in the UK market. Whether you’re based in the UK, the EU, or the US, this guide will walk you through every aspect of compliant cosmetic labelling, from ingredient declarations to language requirements, ensuring your products meet the latest legal standards.

As of 2025, post-Brexit divergence continues to shape how cosmetic businesses must approach labelling, with specific product labelling requirements in the UK that differ from those in the EU. Staying compliant is critical to professionalism, transparency, and consumer trust.

All cosmetic products made available on the UK market must comply with UK cosmetic labelling regulations. This includes manufacturers, importers, and distributors of cosmetic goods, regardless of where they’re based.

The rules apply to:

• UK-based cosmetic businesses
• EU or US brands exporting to the UK
• Private label or white-label cosmetics sold under a UK brand name
• Online sellers and ecommerce platforms shipping products into the UK.

Failure to comply with the UK’s cosmetic labelling regulations can result in enforcement actions, product recalls, or even removal from the market.

Related Reading: UK Cosmetics Regulation: An Introduction for New Brands

Every cosmetic product placed on the UK market must display specific information on its packaging or container. These product labelling requirements in the UK are outlined under Schedule 34 of the Product Safety and Metrology etc. (Amendment etc.) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019, which retains most of the provisions from the original EU Regulation (EC) No. 1223/2009.

Here’s what must be included.

The label must include the name and address of the UK Responsible Person (UK RP), accountable for the product’s safety and compliance.

• The full postal address must be provided, not just a website or email.
• The contact details must allow consumers to report adverse reactions or request product safety information.
• If a brand is based outside the UK, it must appoint a UK RP.

If the cosmetic goods are manufactured outside the UK, the label must indicate the country of origin (e.g., “Made in France” or “Manufactured in the USA”).

The label must state the amount of product in the container at the time of packaging.

• Expressed in weight (g) or volume (ml).
• For products sold as a set (e.g., eyeshadow palettes), total unit content must be declared.
• Optional but common: The e-mark symbol (℮) may be used to indicate compliance with average fill requirements (not a legal requirement in the UK, but often seen).

The product must indicate either a best-before date or a PAO symbol (an open jar symbol with a number inside) to show how long the product remains safe and effective after opening.

• Best-before is used for products with a shelf life under 30 months, shown with an hourglass symbol or wording.
• PAO applies to products with a shelf life over 30 months and must be expressed in months (e.g., 12M).

Common Mistake: Some brands unnecessarily include a best-before date and a PAO symbol. Only include one, based on whether your product’s shelf life is above or below 30 months.

If there are any safety instructions (e.g., “Avoid contact with eyes” or “For external use only”), they must be clearly printed on the label or in accompanying documents.

Every cosmetic product must carry a batch or lot number to allow traceability in case of a recall or safety issue.

Unless it’s obvious from presentation, the label must clearly state the intended function (e.g., “Body Lotion”, “Hair Dye”).

Pro Tip: Double-check your label artwork before printing. Even small errors (like missing batch numbers or incomplete addresses) can lead to enforcement action or delays in launch.

Related Reading: Understanding the Role and Responsibilities of the UK Responsible Person

Clear, consistent cosmetic ingredient labelling is vital to protect consumers and uphold transparency. UK cosmetic labelling regulations require a full list of ingredients using standardised INCI (International Nomenclature of Cosmetic Ingredients) names.

• The ingredient list must be headed by the word “Ingredients” and listed in descending order of weight.
• Ingredients under 1% can be listed in any order after those above 1%.
• Colourants must be listed using their Colour Index (CI) numbers (e.g., CI 77491).
• Fragrance and flavour compounds can be listed as “Parfum” or “Aroma”, but known allergens (from Annex III) must still be declared separately if they exceed certain thresholds.

It’s useful to be aware that if a cosmetic contains nanomaterials, the ingredient name must be followed by the word “nano” in brackets. For example, Titanium Dioxide (nano). This alerts consumers and regulators to the presence of materials with novel properties.

All ingredients must comply with the restrictions in Annexes II to VI of the UK Cosmetics Regulation.

• Annex II: Prohibited substance
• Annex III: Restricted substances and allergens
• Annex IV: Permitted colourants
• Annex V: Permitted preservatives
• Annex VI: Approved UV filters.

The UK mandates specific language and legibility standards to ensure consumers can understand and safely use cosmetic goods. All mandatory labelling information must be provided in English, regardless of where the product is made or imported from. Additional languages may be used, but English must be present and prominent.

Text must be easily legible, using clear fonts and contrasting backgrounds..

Pro Tip: If your product is multilingual, ensure the English version is most prominent. Many importers forget this and end up with non-compliant labels that fail inspections.

Some exceptions exist within the cosmetic labelling regulations in the UK, depending on product type, packaging size, or presentation format.

• Very small containers (e.g., lip balms under 5g) may omit certain information on-pack and instead include it on external packaging or inserts.
• Multipacks (e.g. gift sets or bundled items) must ensure each product is labelled, or full labelling must appear on the outer box.
• Sampling products may follow slightly relaxed rules, but must still ensure safety and traceability.

Where full labelling cannot fit on the product itself, it may be provided in accompanying documentation, such as a leaflet or swing tag. In such cases, the label must include the open book symbol to alert consumers.

Pro Tip: Use ingredient checkers or digital INCI databases during formulation. This helps ensure your labels include the correct standardised names and flags any restricted or prohibited substances early.

Symbols play a key role in visually communicating usage and safety information. UK cosmetic labelling regulations recognise the following:

• PAO symbol: Indicates how long the product remains safe after opening (e.g., “12M”).
• Hourglass symbol: Used for products with a short shelf life (under 30 months).
• e-mark: Optional symbol denoting compliance with average fill requirements under EU law; still used for UK/EU crossover products.
• Green Dot with Interlocking Arrows: Symbol indicating that the brand contributes to packaging recycling schemes. Not legally required in the UK, but may appear on packaging for products also sold in the EU.

Related Reading: Cosmetic Safety Assessments in the UK: What You Need to Know

While the UK and EU labelling frameworks remain similar, they’re no longer identical. Cosmetic businesses must pay close attention to divergence when selling across both regions. Let’s look at the key differences.

• Responsible Person: The UK requires a UK-based RP. The EU requires an EU-based RP. One entity cannot act as both.
• CPNP vs SCPN: The EU uses the Cosmetic Products Notification Portal (CPNP), while the UK uses the Submit Cosmetic Product Notifications (SCPN) portal.
• Address and Market Origin: UK labels must use UK addresses for the RP and may require “Made in EU” or “Made in UK” declarations depending on market.

Staying up to date with both frameworks is essential for brands operating in multiple markets.

Non-compliance with cosmetic labelling standards can lead to enforcement actions by the Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS). Potential consequences include:

• Removal of products from shelves or online platforms
• Fines and penalties
• Damage to brand reputation
• Recall orders or legal action in cases of misleading or dangerous labelling

Avoiding these risks requires proactive regulatory compliance and detailed labelling checks before going to market.

Pro Tip: Use a pre-market label compliance checklist before every launch. It’s quicker and cheaper than dealing with enforcement letters or product recalls.

UK cosmetic labelling regulations are complex, and compliance is not a one-time task. It requires continuous attention to ever-evolving guidance and enforcement practice. Russell Regulatory Consultants offers tailored support to cosmetic businesses of all sizes, helping you:

• Review and correct your cosmetic product labels
• Ensure accurate cosmetic ingredient labelling
• Appoint a UK Responsible Person
• Manage dual-market labelling for the UK and EU
• Prepare for audits or safety enforcement actions.

Whether you’re launching a new line or reviewing existing products, our Cosmetics Regulation Services help you align with the latest product labelling requirements in the UK while supporting your expansion into the EU or US.

Don’t let unclear regulations slow down your launch or expose your brand to legal risks. Contact Russell Regulatory Consultants today for expert guidance and peace of mind.

Book a free consultation to review your cosmetic labels and get compliance-ready for 2025 and beyond.

1. legislation.gov.uk. The Product Safety and Metrology etc. (Amendment etc.) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019, Schedule 34. Accessed July 21st, 2025.
2. CTPA. Let’s Talk About Labels: How the Signs and Symbols on Your Beauty and Bathroom Products Can Help You and Our Planet. February 15th, 2022.
3. legislation.gov.uk. Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009, Annex III (Restricted Substances). Accessed July 21st, 2025.
4. legislation.gov.uk. Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009, Annex II (Prohibited Substances). Accessed July 21st, 2025.
5. legislation.gov.uk. Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009, Annex IV (Colourants). Accessed July 21st, 2025.
6. legislation.gov.uk. Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009, Annex V (Preservatives). Accessed July 21st, 2025.
7. CTPA. Ingredient Labelling. Accessed July 21st, 2025.
8. Glamour Magazine. Your guide to every single beauty product symbol. May 19th, 2021
9. European Commission. Cosmetic Product Notification Portal (CPNP). Accessed July 21st, 2025.
10. gov.uk. Submit a cosmetic product notification. Accessed July 21, 2025.