The CPSR — The Document That Stands Between Your Product and the Market

Every cosmetic product sold in the UK or EU must have a Cosmetic Product Safety Report. There is no route to market without it. The question is whether yours will hold up when it matters.

A CPSR is the central safety document for your product. Without a valid, current, properly prepared CPSR, your product cannot legally be sold in the UK or EU. Not 'may not.' Cannot.

A CPSR prepared against an outdated formulation, completed by someone without appropriate qualifications, or based on generic ingredient assumptions rather than product-specific data may not meet regulatory standards. These are common issues seen in the market.

What It Costs to Get This Wrong

Where a CPSR does not meet requirements, authorities may take enforcement action. This can include requests for corrective measures, product withdrawal, or restrictions on sale. Responsibility ultimately sits with the Responsible Person, who must ensure that documentation is complete, accurate, and available for review. The corrective process starts from scratch while your competitors' products remain on sale.

OPSS does not warn you first.

What a CPSR Contains

Part A is the Cosmetic Product Safety Information. This includes the product’s qualitative and quantitative composition, physical and chemical characteristics, microbiological quality, impurities and traces, packaging material, normal and reasonably foreseeable use, exposure assessment, and the toxicological profile of each ingredient.

Part B is the cosmetic product safety assessment: the assessor's evaluation of safety, taking into account the information in Part A, any additional safety information, and the reasoning behind the safety conclusion. The assessment must be completed and signed by a qualified assessor.

UK vs EU: What Is Different

The fundamental structure of the CPSR is the same in the UK and EU. But the ingredient restrictions being applied, the SCCS opinions being referenced, and the specific toxicological thresholds being used are starting to diverge as UK and EU regulatory paths separate. A CPSR prepared solely for one market may not be sufficient for the other.

The Arcus Approach

Our CPSRs are prepared by appropriately qualified assessors, including toxicologists and related scientific professionals. Each assessment is product-specific and based on the actual formulation, rather than generic ingredient assumptions. Written to withstand scrutiny from OPSS in the UK and relevant competent authorities in the EU.

And commercially aware. We understand the difference between a safety concern that is real and one that is theoretical. We do not advise clients to reformulate products unnecessarily.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do all cosmetic products need a CPSR?

Yes. A CPSR is a mandatory component of the Product Information File for any cosmetic product placed on the UK or EU market.

How long does a CPSR take?

Typically two to four weeks from receipt of complete formulation and supporting information. Timelines may vary depending on product complexity and data availability.

Can I use the same CPSR for UK and EU?

In many cases, a CPSR can support both markets. However, differences in regulatory updates and ingredient restrictions may require review or adaptation to ensure compliance in each jurisdiction. We advise on this for each specific product.

What happens if my CPSR is found to be inadequate?

Authorities may require corrective action, which can include updating the CPSR, restricting sale, or in some cases withdrawing the product from the market. The extent of action depends on the nature of the issue and the associated risk.

Commission Your CPSR