Rinse-Off Cosmetics
Products designed to be removed after application, including bath bombs, soaps, shampoos, body washes and cleansers.
View Guidance →White label compliance
Cosmetic Labelling Made Clear
Understand the essential label requirements before selling white-label cosmetics in Great Britain or the European Union.
Choose Your Product Type
Start with how the finished cosmetic is used. Rinse-off and leave-on products have different fragrance-allergen declaration thresholds.
Leave-On Cosmetics
Products intended to remain on the skin, lips, nails or hair, including creams, lotions, balms, serums and cosmetic oils.
View Guidance →Label Essentials at a Glance
Mandatory information must be clearly visible, legible and indelible, subject to the placement exceptions allowed by the applicable legislation.
Product Name
Clearly identify the cosmetic being sold.
Product Function
Required unless obvious from its presentation.
Nominal Content
Weight or volume in metric units.
Directions & Warnings
Use exact product-specific approved wording.
Ingredients & Allergens
Approved INCI list and declarable allergens.
PAO / Best Before
Use the correct durability marking where applicable.
Batch Number
Provide identification and traceability.
Responsible Person
Show the correct market-specific name and address.
Country of Origin
Required when the cosmetic is imported.
Market Language
Translate consumer wording where required.
Select the market
Great Britain & European Union
Core requirements are similar, but the Responsible Person, notification route and language obligations differ.
Northern Ireland follows the EU cosmetics regime.
| Requirement | Great Britain | European Union |
|---|---|---|
| Responsible Person | Name and address of the GB Responsible Person. | Name and address of an EU-established Responsible Person. |
| Notification | Submit through the UK SCPN service before sale. | Submit through CPNP before placing the product on the EU market. |
| Consumer Language | Mandatory consumer information for the GB market. | Official language(s) required by each Member State of sale. |
| Country of Origin | Required for cosmetics imported into Great Britain. | Required for cosmetics imported into the EU from a third country. |
| Supporting File | CPSR and PIF available through the GB Responsible Person. | CPSR and PIF accessible at the EU Responsible Person address. |
Rinse-Off or Leave-On?
The product type affects the threshold for individually declaring regulated fragrance allergens in the finished product.
Rinse-Off Cosmetics
Examples: bath bombs, soaps, shampoos, shower gels and cleansers.
Generally applicable fragrance-allergen threshold:
0.01%VS
Leave-On Cosmetics
Examples: creams, lotions, balms, serums and cosmetic oils.
Generally applicable fragrance-allergen threshold:
0.001%Always use the current rules for the target market, the exact approved formula, current supplier allergen data and the product-specific CPSR. EU fragrance-allergen requirements expanded under Regulation (EU) 2023/1545.
What Sits Behind the Label?
1
Safety Assessment
A suitably qualified assessor prepares the product-specific safety assessment.
2
CPSR & PIF
The Cosmetic Product Safety Report and Product Information File support compliance.
3
Responsible Person
The correct GB or EU Responsible Person arrangement must be in place.
4
Notification & Approval
Complete the market notification and approve final artwork before sale.
Placement guide
Example Label Layout
- 1Product name
- 2Product function, unless obvious
- 3Nominal content
- 4Durability marking
- 5Batch or lot number
- 6Responsible Person details
- 7Directions and warnings
- 8Ingredients and required allergens
Illustrative example only
Final Artwork Checklist
Complete this check for every SKU, fragrance, formulation and target market before printing or reprinting labels.
Correct market and product type selected
Correct Responsible Person name and address
Nominal content matches the packed specification
Country of origin included where required
PAO or best-before marking is correct
Batch coding is present and traceable
Directions and warnings match the CPSR
Ingredient list matches the exact formula
Current fragrance-allergen data checked
EU consumer wording translated where required
Claims are truthful and supportable
Artwork is legible at actual print size
Download the Detailed Guides
Use the guides for fuller explanations, pre-market checks and illustrative raw label templates.
Rinse-Off Cosmetics Labelling Guide
For products such as bath bombs, soaps, shampoos, body washes and cleansers.
Download PDF ↓
Leave-On Cosmetics Labelling Guide
For products such as creams, lotions, balms, serums and cosmetic body oils.
Download PDF ↓Need Support Before Going to Market?
Explore AW Aromatics compliance support for eligible cosmetic products, including Responsible Person services, notifications and guidance around product safety documentation.