Publications and Guidance

Claims

CTPA Tool for Claim Substantiation - January 2023

This CTPA tool has been created to help companies build their approach to claim substantiation following the principles of the building blocks of claim support, putting industry best practice into application in relation to the review, examination and rationalisation of claim substantiation.

The CTPA Claim Substantiation Tool takes into account the factors that have to be considered when building robust claim substantiation.

File size: 2.8 MB

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CTPA Decision Tree for Borderline Assessment - January 2023

Products must be correctly classified before being placed on the market. Article 2 of the UK Cosmetics Regulation (UKCR) and EU Cosmetic Products Regulation (CPR) includes the legal definition of a cosmetic product. However, it may sometimes be unclear whether a product is a cosmetic and therefore falls under the scope of the UKCR or CPR, depending on the market where the product is sold.

If a product is not a cosmetic, it may fall under another regulatory regime such as that for foods, biocides or general product safety. However, care must be taken to ensure that what is, at first sight, a cosmetic does not become another product type by virtue of its presentation, its claims or its composition.

This document is intended to provide companies with clarity on the process to product classification.

File size: 2.2 MB

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CTPA Guide - Environmental and Green Claims (2021)

All claims made for cosmetic products, regardless of where they appear (e.g. on pack, online, on social media posts, on advertorials, on influencers posts, etc.) or the format (text, images, symbols, etc.), must comply with Article 20 of the CPR and the Common Criteria for Cosmetic Claims.

The Responsible Person placing cosmetic products on the market is responsible for any claims made, including their wording and has the burden of proof for the appropriate claim substantiation.

File size: 2.4 MB

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Help Note on Free From Claims (2019)

This Help Note on 'Free from' claims has been created to help non-member companies understand the European Commission's Technical Document on cosmetic claims. The Help Note reviews how the Common Criteria for cosmetic claims also apply to 'free from' claims.

File size: 274 KB

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CTPA Guide - Eczema Claims (2019)

This guide covers claims relating to adverse skin conditions including eczema, psoriasis, dermatitis, rosacea, acne and spots.

File size: 218 KB

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Factsheet on Eczema Claims

Products intended to treat or prevent eczema, psoriasis, dermatitis or other adverse skin conditions will be considered to be medicinal products. This factsheet provides the specific phrases agreed with the MHRA when referring to eczema on cosmetic products.

File size: 30 KB

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Confidence in Cosmetic Claims (2018)

This booklet is an easy reference guide on the regulatory framework for cosmetic claims

File size: 1.4 MB

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Help Note on Claims and Statistics Principles (2018)

File size: 584 KB

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Guide on Common Understanding of Toothpaste Claims (2018)

In collaboration with the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), CTPA has created a guide on common understanding of the cosmetic/medicine borderline for toothpaste claims. The objective of this guidance is to set a common understanding on the types of claims made for toothpastes and what this means in terms of the regulations that will apply to individual products in light of those claims. (2018)

File size: 1016 KB

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Advertising Claims Guide (2018)

This CTPA guide has been created to help advertisers understand more clearly the framework in which cosmetic claims appear and the way in which cosmetic claims may be classified.

The Guide is split into three sections: Framework of Common Understanding, Building Blocks of Claim Support, Practical Guide to Good Study Design. Key new features of the 2018 edition are: updated references (MHRA Guidance Note 8, Cosmets Regulation, Common Criteria on Cosmetic Claims, Technical Documnt on Cosmetic Claims, CAP Note on the Use of Post-production Technique, ISO 16128); focus on the role of the Responsible Person; updated views of the Committee of Advertising Practice (CAP), Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) and Clearcast; decision tree and case studies for practical understanding.

The Guide is endorsed by CAP, ASA and Clearcast.

File size: 3.6 MB

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Consumer Guides & Information

GMP and Microbiology

GMP - A Practical Guide for the Cosmetic Industry (2015)

This CTPA document 'GMP - A Practical Guide for the Cosmetic Industry 2015' comprises the accumulated hands-on knowledge of some of the most experienced GMP specialists, Quality Assurance Managers, Quality Systems Managers and Microbiologists in our industry. The document deals with essential systems and procedures that should be in place to ensure the effective implementation of GMP and covers the critical stages of GMP implementation throughout the design, development and production process to the final customer/consumer. This 2015 revision will be particularly useful to companies who are looking for assistance on how to achieve the level of compliance outlined in ISO 22716.

File size: 1.2 MB

Price excludes VAT.

Members

Free

Non-members

£90.00

GMP - A Practical Guide for the Cosmetic Industry (2015)

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MQM Microbial Quality Management 2026

This essential guidance document is intended to assist companies manufacturing cosmetics to put into place an effective programme to ensure the appropriate microbiological quality of their products. It covers all aspects of microbial quality management including product development, water treatment systems, raw materials, manufacturing, housekeeping, cleaning and disinfection and microbiological sampling etc.

File size: 3 MB

Price excludes VAT.

Members

Free

Non-members

£120.00

MQM Microbial Quality Management 2026

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Rapid and Alternative Methods (2015)

Microbiologists can be inundated with literature advertising equipment and courses relating to 'Rapid Microbiological Methods' and 'Alternative Microbiological Methods'. Often, however, the literature does not explain whether the method will work for the company's product range, whether it is cost effective, how it should be validated, how any changes to microbiological risk are managed and if the purchase can be justified. Intended for microbiologists this guide looks at how to make a method become a reality, possible applications and the considerations recommended when researching rapid and alternative methods. Included in the guide is a comparison table that provides a summary of the suitable applications and any relevant advantages and disadvantages for each method.

This guide is published jointly with Pharmig.

File size: 466 KB

Price excludes VAT.

Members

Free

Non-members

£60.00

Rapid and Alternative Methods (2015)

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GMP Audit 1992

Auditing is a critical improvement tool and can be used to determine whether: the quality assurance system is operating effectively; products are consistently manufactured to meet their specifications; procedures are followed and records are kept. This document covers all major aspects of GMP and can be used as a means of improving internal standards and assessing external contractors and vendors.

File size: 683 KB

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Ingredients

Legislation Guidance

Miscellaneous & Products

Patch Test Guidelines 2024

These ‘CTPA Patch Testing guidelines’ have been developed to inform cosmetics companies of the practical aspects of supplying patch test materials to dermatologists who request cosmetic ingredient samples for diagnostic patch testing; as well as to facilitate a dialogue between dermatologists and companies. The guidelines cover:
• what is patch testing and why dermatologists perform them on patients;
• key steps and tasks to be taken by both dermatologists and companies during the process to prepare patch testing samples;
• preparation of patch testing samples.

Companies are encouraged to consult this guidance and familiarise with this process, as it is important to work with dermatologists as they may need to diagnose contact dermatitis or contact allergy to certain substances which may be used in cosmetic products.

File size: 354 KB

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Artificially Enhanced Nails and Minimising the Risk of Allergy

CTPA has created a "Guideline on Artificially Enhanced Nails and Minimising the Risk of Allergy", which has been developed for salon professionals, consumers, manufacturers and others with involvement in artificially enhanced nails. The Guideline explains that dermatologists are seeing an increase in the rates of allergic reaction to acrylate monomers in Liquid and Powder (L&P) and UV cured gel nail systems, and contains advice on how to minimise the risk of developing such an allergy.

The Guideline contains advice for safe use of these products for both salon professionals and end users, highlighting the following key points:

- Avoid skin contact
- Apply to healthy nails only
- Wear appropriate gloves
- Do no reuse gloves
- Remove gloves in a manner which avoids skin contact with the contaminated part of the gloves
- Use the correctly-matched lamp and gel system
- Use reputable products which comply with cosmetics legislation

File size: 1.3 MB

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Guidance Note on Durability Claims for Sunscreens 2022

Sun protection products are an important part of a sunsafe regime. They need to be applied generously and it is recommended that they should be re-applied frequently to maintain the protection. However, in certain circumstances, frequent reapplication can be difficult. For example, when participating in outdoor sports or working outdoors.

Durable sunscreens (sometimes referred to as 'extended wear' or 'once a day' products) have been formulated to stay on the skin longer while maintaining their level of sun protection.

The CTPA Sun Products Working Group has created a guide which provides some key considerations that should be taken into account when manufacturing durable sunscreen products.

File size: 576 KB

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Safety

Sustainabillity