If you’re planning to sell cosmetic products in the UK, you may think that your existing CPNP registration (Cosmetic Products Notification Portal) is all you need. But since Brexit, that’s no longer the case. To legally place cosmetic products on the UK market, you now need SCPN notification (Submit a Cosmetic Product Notification).
Here’s why this change matters and how WL Aesthetics can help you stay compliant.
From CPNP to SCPN: What Changed?
Before Brexit, the UK operated under the EU Cosmetics Regulation (EC) No. 1223/2009. Businesses selling in the EU could notify their products once via the CPNP portal, and that registration was valid across all EU member states, including the UK.
However, when the UK left the EU on 31 December 2020, it also left the shared CPNP system. The UK government set up its own version—the UK SCPN (Submit Cosmetic Product Notification) portal, managed by the Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS).
That means:
- CPNP is valid for the EU/EEA only
- SCPN is required for the UK market
If your product is only on CPNP, you cannot legally sell it in the UK anymore.
Why Is SCPN Registration So Important?
The SCPN isn’t just red tape—it’s a critical part of consumer safety and compliance. Here’s why it matters:
- Legal Requirement – It is against the law to sell cosmetic products in the UK without SCPN notification. Authorities can remove products from the market, issue fines, or take legal action if you’re non-compliant.
- Consumer Safety – The SCPN provides the UK regulator with key product details such as formulation, labeling, and responsible person information. This ensures products meet UK standards and protects consumer health.
- Market Access – Retailers and distributors in the UK will often refuse to stock your product unless you can provide evidence of SCPN notification. Without it, you risk losing valuable business opportunities.
- Responsible Person (RP) Requirement – Under UK law, every cosmetic product must have a designated UK Responsible Person. This entity is accountable for product compliance, labeling, safety assessments, and SCPN submissions. A Responsible Person based in the EU no longer qualifies for UK sales.
What You Need to Do Now
If you want to continue selling in the UK, here’s your checklist:
✅ Appoint a UK Responsible Person – This is your first step. Without a UK-based RP, you cannot register or sell products.
✅ Submit your products via SCPN – Each product needs to be notified through the UK SCPN portal before being placed on the market.
✅ Update labeling and compliance documents – Ensure your packaging includes the details of your UK Responsible Person and meets UK cosmetic labeling requirements.
✅ Don’t rely on CPNP – Remember, CPNP is only for the EU market now. To cover both the EU and UK, you’ll need dual registrations: CPNP (EU) and SCPN (UK).
How WL Aesthetics Can Support You
At WL Aesthetics, we make this process simple and stress-free. We can:
- Act as your UK Responsible Person, ensuring your products are legally represented in the UK.
- Handle the entire SCPN submission process on your behalf.
- Review your labels and documentation to make sure everything complies with UK requirements.
- Provide expert guidance so your products remain compliant in both the EU and UK.
Final Thoughts
The bottom line is simple:
- CPNP = EU
- SCPN = UK
If your product is only registered on CPNP, it’s not compliant in the UK.
With WL Aesthetics by your side, you can be confident your products are fully registered, legally compliant, and ready for sale in the UK market.
👉 Get in touch with WL Aesthetics today and let us take the complexity out of SCPN compliance.
