If you’re developing a cosmetic product to sell in the UK — whether that’s a skincare cream, a hair oil, a body scrub, or a lip balm — you will have come across the term CPSR. And if you haven’t yet, you need to.
This guide explains exactly what a CPSR is, why it exists, who produces it, and what happens if you try to sell without one.
What does CPSR stand for?
CPSR stands for Cosmetic Product Safety Report. It is a legal document that must be completed before any cosmetic product is placed on the UK market.
It is not optional. It is not a formality. It is a legal requirement under UK cosmetic regulations — specifically the UK Cosmetics Regulation (retained from EU Regulation 1223/2009 following Brexit).
What is actually in a CPSR?
A CPSR has two parts:
Part A — Cosmetic Product Safety Information
This covers everything about the product itself: the formula and its ingredients, the physical and chemical properties, the microbiological quality, impurities and trace substances, packaging information, normal and reasonably foreseeable use, exposure assessment, and any existing toxicological data on the ingredients used.
Part B — Cosmetic Product Safety Assessment
This is the safety assessor’s professional conclusion. Based on all the information in Part A, a qualified safety assessor evaluates whether the product is safe for human use under its intended conditions of use. They sign off on the report and take professional responsibility for that conclusion.
Both parts must be completed and signed before the product goes to market.
Who can write a CPSR?
A CPSR must be completed by a qualified safety assessor — someone with a degree in pharmacy, toxicology, medicine, or a related discipline. This is not something a brand founder can write themselves, and it cannot be done by a cosmetic chemist unless they also hold the relevant safety assessor qualifications.
In practice, most brands work with an independent safety assessor or a laboratory that offers safety assessment as a service. Your cosmetic chemist or contract manufacturer will typically be able to refer you to a suitable assessor, or may have an established working relationship with one.
Does every cosmetic product need a CPSR?
Yes. Every cosmetic product sold in the UK requires its own CPSR. If you have five products in your range, you need five separate reports.
There are no exemptions based on product type, ingredients, or whether the product is handmade or commercially manufactured. A handmade natural lip balm sold on Etsy requires a CPSR just as much as a commercially produced moisturiser sold in a pharmacy.
What else do you need alongside a CPSR?
A CPSR is one part of a wider set of legal requirements. To legally sell a cosmetic product in the UK you also need:
- A Product Information File (PIF) — a dossier that contains the CPSR along with other documentation including the formula, manufacturing method, evidence of claimed effects, and data on animal testing.
- A Responsible Person (RP) — every cosmetic product sold in the UK must have a designated Responsible Person. This is the individual or company that takes legal responsibility for the product’s compliance. If you are a UK-based brand selling your own products, you are typically the Responsible Person. The RP must be established in the UK.
- SCPN notification — products must be notified to the Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS) via the Submit Cosmetic Product Notification (SCPN) portal before they go on sale.
- Correct Labelling — UK cosmetics must carry specific information on the label including the list of ingredients (using INCI names), the product’s function, any warnings, the period after opening symbol, the batch number, and the Responsible Person’s details.
What about stability testing and PET — are those part of the CPSR?
Not exactly, but they feed into it.
Stability testing is required for all cosmetic products regardless of type. It is the testing that determines your product’s shelf life and confirms that the product remains physically, chemically, and microbiologically stable throughout that period. The results of stability testing are used as evidence within Part A of the CPSR.
Preservative Efficacy Testing (PET) — also called challenge testing — is required specifically for water-based formulations. It tests whether the preservative system in your product is effective at preventing microbial growth. Anhydrous products (those containing no water, such as balms, oils, and butters) do not require PET. The results of PET, where required, are also referenced in the CPSR.
Both sets of results need to be available before your safety assessor can complete and sign off the report.
How long does a CPSR take?
The timeline depends on how quickly the supporting data is available. If stability testing and PET are still in progress, your safety assessor cannot finalise the report until those results are in.
As a rough guide:
- PET (challenge testing) typically takes around 6 weeks
- Stability testing runs over a minimum of 12 weeks for a standard study
- CPSR sign-off once all data is received typically takes 2 to 3 weeks
This means you should factor at least 3 to 4 months into your product development timeline from formula sign-off to having a completed CPSR in hand. Planning this early is essential — it is one of the most common reasons product launches are delayed.
What happens if you sell without a CPSR?
Selling a cosmetic product in the UK without a valid CPSR is illegal. Trading Standards have the authority to remove non-compliant products from sale, issue improvement notices, and pursue prosecution in serious cases. There are also significant reputational risks if a product causes harm and it emerges that the legal safety requirements were not met.
No responsible manufacturer, retailer, or stockist should be handling products without a valid CPSR. Many retailers now request sight of the CPSR before agreeing to stock a product.
Where do you find a qualified safety assessor in the UK?
- The CTPA (Cosmetic, Toiletry and Perfumery Association) has a directory of member companies, some of which offer safety assessment services
- Many contract manufacturers and cosmetic laboratories have established relationships with approved assessors and can refer you or manage this process on your behalf
- Independent safety assessors can be found through professional networks and industry events such as in-cosmetics UK
Always verify that your assessor holds the relevant qualifications before committing. Ask them directly what their degree is in and how many CPSRs they have completed.
The bottom line
A CPSR is not a box-ticking exercise. It is the document that confirms your product is safe for the people using it. Getting it right — with proper stability data, correct PET where required, and a qualified assessor — protects your customers, your business, and your brand.
If you are at the stage of developing a product and are unsure about the regulatory requirements, speaking to a qualified cosmetic chemist early in the process will save you significant time and money later.
This guide was written by Anne, a qualified cosmetic chemist with over a decade of experience in cosmetic formulation, regulatory compliance, and contract manufacturing for indie beauty brands in the UK.
Need expert help with your CPSR?
If you’re developing a cosmetic product and want your formula, labelling, and safety documentation to be UK-compliant from day one, I can help. As a qualified cosmetic chemist with over a decade of experience in regulatory compliance and contract manufacturing for indie beauty brands, I support founders through every step — from formulation to CPSR sign-off.
Hi I’m interested to learn more I’m thinking of making my own product and would like doom advice about CPSR assessor