Published: 09 February 2023  (Updated: 09 February 2023)

Changes to UK Government Departments Announced

On 7 February 2023, Prime Minister (PM)  Rishi Sunak announced changes to the departmental structure of the UK Government, which was completed with the communication of new ministerial appointments.

Some of the changes apply to Government departments that affect our sector.

Intended to address ongoing challenges faced by the UK, the changes introduced by the PM include:

  • the creation of a new Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, with Rt Hon Grant Shapps MP as Secretary of State;
  • the merger of two existing departments (the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy and the Department for International Trade) into the Department for Business and Trade, with Rt Hon Kemi Badenoch MP as Secretary of State;
  • the creation of a Department for Science, Innovation and Technology, with Rt Hon Michelle Donelan MP as Secretary of State;
  • the re-focus of an existing department as the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, with Rt Hon Lucy Frazer KC MP as Secretary of State.

Cosmetic products remain under the supervision of the Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS), a governmental high-profile group that was previously linked to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS).  Under the announced changes, OPSS have confirmed that they are now under the Department for Business and Trade, but OPSS remain the regulator for the products of our industry.

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