The CPSR

A CPSR – or Cosmetic Safety Assessment – is a document, prepared and signed by a Qualified Cosmetic Safety Assessor, that confirms whether a particular product complies with UK and EU cosmetic regulation.

All cosmetic products placed on the UK and EU must have one. It is the first step in the process for any cosmetic business placing a product on the market.

The Cosmetic Product Safety Report shall, as a minimum, contain the following:

PART A – Cosmetic product safety information

• Quantitative and qualitative composition of the cosmetic product
• Physical/chemical characteristics and stability of the cosmetic product
• Microbiological quality
• Impurities, traces, information about the packaging material
• Normal and reasonably foreseeable use
• Exposure to the cosmetic product
• Exposure to the substances
• Toxicological profile of the substances
• Undesirable effects and serious undesirable effects
• Information on the cosmetic product

PART B – Cosmetic product safety assessment

• Assessment conclusion
• Labelling warnings and instructions of use
• Reasoning
• Assessor's credentials and approval of part B
• Name and address of the safety assessor.
• Proof of qualification of safety assessor
• Date and signature of safety assessor.

"...In order to demonstrate that a cosmetic product complies with Article 3, the responsible person shall, prior to placing a cosmetic product on the market, ensure that the cosmetic product has undergone a safety assessment on the basis of the relevant information and that a cosmetic product safety report is set up in accordance with Annex I. (Art. 10.1 Reg (CE) n.1223/2009)."

The Safety assessment is a complex process. It provides experienced knowledge of products composition, chemical and physical properties of its ingredients, the production processes, the final function, and the method of the product application. The standard for this evaluation, based on scientific method and top technique, are very high to guarantee customers protection. The evaluator is a key figure of this process for its experience that is necessary for the compilation of the security evaluation.

"...The cosmetic product safety assessment, as set out in Part B of Annex I shall be carried out by a person in possession of a diploma or other evidence of formal qualifications awarded on completion of a university course of theoretical and practical study in pharmacy, toxicology, medicine or a similar discipline, or a course recognised as equivalent by a Member State. (Art.10.2 Reg (CE) n. 1223/2009)."

The Responsible Person (RP) must choose a suitable Safety Assessor with qualification and strong and specific experience in the cosmetology field.

The safety assessor is compelled to sign the safety report and to attach evidence of its qualification to the Product Information File (PIF).