UK Responsible Person — The Legal Role You Cannot Operate Without

Every cosmetic product on the UK market must have a UK Responsible Person. That person is legally accountable for the product's compliance. That accountability is real.

The Responsible Person is not an administrative function. It is a defined legal role. The RP is identified on the product, holds or has access to the Product Information File, and acts as the point of contact for authorities such as OPSS and Trading Standards.

UK-based brands may act as their own Responsible Person. Non-UK brands, including EU-based companies post-Brexit, must appoint a Responsible Person established in the UK in order to place products on the market.

What the UK Responsible Person Does

The Responsible Person is responsible for ensuring that SCPN notifications are completed before products are placed on the market, the Product Information File is held at a UK address and made available to authorities on request, a valid and up-to-date CPSR is in place, appropriate post-market surveillance is carried out, including handling complaints and undesirable effects, cooperation is provided to authorities such as OPSS and Trading Standards in the event of enquiries, corrective actions, or investigations

This is a substantive legal role. Treating it as a purely administrative function can lead to compliance gaps and potential regulatory action.

Arcus as Your UK Responsible Person

Arcus provides UK Responsible Person services as a combined legal and operational function. We manage SCPN submissions, maintain access to the Product Information File, and support post-market surveillance activities, including the handling and assessment of complaints and adverse event reports.

We monitor regulatory developments relevant to your products and provide updates where changes may affect compliance. We also support communication with regulatory authorities where required.

Each Arcus UK Responsible Person arrangement includes access to MAVRYX, our compliance software platform. MAVRYX supports the tracking of safety concerns, complaints, and consumer feedback, helping maintain an organised and auditable record of post-market activities.

We maintain transparency throughout the relationship. You have visibility over submissions, regulatory updates, and any actions required to support ongoing compliance.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I appoint multiple RPs for different products?

Each product must have a single Responsible Person. But one RP can hold that role for multiple products.

What happens if my product has no UK Responsible Person?

A cosmetic product placed on the UK market must have a UK Responsible Person. Without one, the product does not meet legal requirements and may be subject to enforcement action.

We already have an EU Responsible Person. Does that cover the UK?

No. The UK and EU operate as separate regulatory jurisdictions. An EU Responsible Person does not fulfil UK requirements, and a UK Responsible Person does not cover the EU.

Appoint Arcus as Your UK Responsible Person