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I hope you were able to have a relaxing break over the summer. Welcome ‘Back to School’! September has dawned and we are in full operational mode at CTPA. We are looking forward to the next ‘term’ of 2026, delivering our workplan and Influencing, Protecting, Promoting, and Leading on behalf of the UK cosmetics, beauty and personal care industry.
Party Conference Season
September also marks the start of the Political Party Conference season.
As part of CTPA’s critical public affairs and advocacy strategy, I will be attending the Conferences of the four main parties: Labour, Conservative, LibDem and Reform.
The Business Days at the Conferences are an important way of introducing our industry to Government and Shadow Ministers, and to raise the challenges companies face as well as encourage support for the opportunities within and for the sector.
Budget Submission
This year’s Budget is due to take place on Wednesday 28 October. The Chancellor has commissioned the Office for Budget Responsibility to prepare an economic and fiscal forecast which will be presented alongside the Budget.
As for last year’s budget, HM Treasury opened an Autumn Budget representation portal where individuals, organisations and MPs could submit comments on existing policy for consideration in the Budget.
CTPA’s 2026 Budget Submission, with input from Board and the Communications and Public Affairs Advisory Group, has been submitted to the Treasury. The key asks are as follows:
- Reduce the cost of regulatory compliance and provide businesses with more breathing space to focus on innovation and growth after several years where the burdens and costs on businesses have been exceptionally high.
- Use a significantly simplified approach for the currently-proposed UK REACH ATRm and recognise all registrations of the transitional chemicals that have already been registered under EU REACH.
- Have stronger Regulatory Cooperation with the EU on chemicals and REACH under the current TCA and agree a UK/EU regulatory alignment deal on chemicals and cosmetics at the Autumn UK/EU Reset Summit, that would include REACH.
- Confirm a Green Recyclability Assessment Methodology (RAM) rating for mono-material tube packaging under Extended Producer Responsibility for Packaging (pEPR).
- Ensure all monies received from pEPR go towards improving recycling infrastructure, and must not be diverted elsewhere.
- Reduce the volatility of the Packaging Recovery Notes (PRN) market and address the dramatic rise in costs.
- Return tax-free shopping to the UK to boost tourism spending in stores and at airports.
A full CTPA Budget Submission was also uploaded on the Treasury portal, which can be accessed here.
CTPA is sharing the document with key Government contacts. CTPA members are encouraged to use the Budget Submission, and/or excerpts from it on topics particularly relevant to them, in their own advocacy outreach.
Crucial European Association Network
I am proud CTPA is a full member of Cosmetics Europe (CE), the European personal care association.
As well as CTPA being represented on the CE Board of Directors, the new Management Committee and many Standing Committees and Working Groups, I am also a member of the Active Association Members College (AAM).
It is incredibly important for there to be a strong Association’s network across Europe, not only to implement CE’s objectives and present a ‘one-voice’ approach on key subjects wherever possible, but also to ensure that local issues are raised centrally. The importance of a cross-European, coordinated approach has been exemplified in the activity on the Commission’s Omnibus VI and the Urban Wastewater Treatment Directive.
This need to have an effective, strong, viable and credible network is very much supported by CTPA and it values the opportunity to work together with sister associations. I am therefore pleased to have just attended the latest AAM meeting, hosted by the Dutch trade association, NCV, in Amsterdam.
It was an extremely productive two-day meeting, addressing the most pressing issues we all as European organisations are facing, as well as sharing emerging national considerations.
For this AAM meeting, NCV undertook a project to create a “European Personal Care and Beauty Association Passport" to celebrate the professionalism, diversity, expertise and collaboration within the European cosmetics industry.
My thanks to Ronald van Welie, Director of the Dutch Association NCV and all of the NCV Team for hosting us with such generous hospitality; to the Chair of AAM, Sari Karjomaa, Managing Director of the Finnish Cosmetic and Hygiene Industry Association, for leading the meetings so well; and to Ana Maria Couras, President of the Portuguese Association, AIC, and newly elected Vice-chair of AAM.
Last Call!
CTPA’s Scientific Conference, ‘Aligning Science, Policy and Consumer Perception’, is taking place on 6 October 2026 at Central Hall Westminster, London.
The day will bring together experts from across the scientific and communications fields to explore how scientific evidence, regulatory decision‑making and public understanding intersect, especially in an era of information overload and widespread misinformation.
The programme delves into some of the most important scientific and regulatory topics for the cosmetics industry through presentations, interactive workshops and panel discussions.
Registrations must be completed by 18 September 2026.
For registration, please follow this link . I look forward to seeing you there!
I am also looking forward to an active autumn advocating for our essential industry, both home and abroad.
