It's true that anyone can set up in the kitchen to make soaps, scrubs and creams for fun, there are plenty of recipes on the internet and ingredients are widely available, but once you decide to sell then you must contact Trading Standards who will send an officer round to explain not only the regulations governing cosmetic products but weights, measures and the legality of packaging.
"All cosmetic products supplied in the UK, whether for consumer or professional use, must comply with the Cosmetic Products (Safety) Regulations 2008 (as amended).
The Regulations require that finished cosmetic products must undergo a safety assessment by a suitably qualified person before they can be placed on the market"
I won't bore you with chapter and verse, if you want to read further go here
After talking to TS you need to find a suitable qualified cosmetic chemist who will test your products for safety and make sure the ingredients you wish to use are not on any banned list or injurious to health!
You must then create a product information file or "PIF" for every product containing the recipe, method and MSDS for all ingredients and have it ready for inspection at all times!
You cannot even give a product away to a friend without having your products assesed for safety!
Just as important IMHO is experience, soap is made from caustic soda which must be accurately weighed out to the gram on professional scales for absolute accuracy or it's possible to burn the skin!
Creams and lotions if not properly preserved can cause topical infections that can be very hard to get rid of and could cause scarring!
I like Susan started off at a market without knowing the regulations...but my lovely TS man came to see me very soon after to put me right...and he's been keeping an eye on me once a year, every year since 1999!
http://www.workingwithnature.co.uk
I have to say I was slightly worried with her answer, but thanks for explaning it!
ReplyDeleteVery interesting; I was thinking that when I was watching it. She'll have them onto her now, for sure! I'm surprised to know it's illegal even to give away homemade stuff to friends - seriously? So if I make bath bombs using bicarbonate of soda and citric acid, in theory I shouldn't give them as gifts?? That does seem a little draconian...
ReplyDeleteI couldn't believe how clueless she came across, she was my second fave after Tom...but when she floundered I wondered just how much experience she had.
ReplyDeleteI agree Catherine, it does seem a little harsh...but there are ingredients out there that are banned or limited to a small percentage. Regulations change all the time. From next year we will have to have assessment done every 12 months not just once!
ReplyDeleteIn Susan's defence I think the pressure got to her and she was unable to get her answers out properly. Also I think she made the classic mistake of assuming the interviewer (and readers of the business plan) knew as much about her product and industry as she does. Even I knew that the products would have to be tested and she mentioned chemist (which was clear to me) but they assumed the local pharmacy!
ReplyDeleteI'm sure that's true, I can't even begin to imagine the stress of those interviews...but the programme didn't make it clear so I thought I would explain for those who were maybe thinking that handmade skincare was now a bit of a gamble! Most handmade skincare peeps I know (including my good self) are 100% up to speed on legislation and like to tell our customers all about it to reassure them!
ReplyDeleteI was watching, and thought even I could have answered that one... but then I would never have got thru the whole Apprentice procedure, so fair play to her! I think I would have crumbled too in those interviews! I think she actually had the best proposition for Lord Sugar - although I'm so glad "nice guy" Tom won, rather then some jumped up prat. Seems as tho Lord Sugar still wants to work with her, if you saw the You're Hired bit... Congrats to both her and Tom!!
ReplyDeleteI would never have applied, I worked in telly for years so I know how it goes!!! Tom was my favourite with Susan second and Helen third. I've just looked at her website, her products have gone all "mass market" so someone must have invested, that packaging will have cost a fortune. Good luck to her I hope she goes on to great things.
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