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Did September go in a blur for you?! With us anticipating the clocks changing shortly, we are definitely well into the business end of the year. The CTPA Team is looking forward to 2026 and our workplan. An important aspect of this is ensuring we are meeting the needs of members and the industry as a whole.
May I thank all who have already completed the CTPA 2025 Membership Survey. The questionnaire is open until 31 October. I would urge you to complete it please. The results are invaluable to us. Thank you.
Political Advocacy
Engaging with all political parties is a key part of my advocacy work. As mentioned in my last DG Insights, I have written to the new Secretaries of State and Ministers, following the Cabinet reshuffle in September. While CTPA is apolitical, we engage in a professional manner with all major parties equally, on behalf of the industry.
Party Conferences
September saw the party-political conference season. As part of CTPA’s active political advocacy, I attended the Liberal Democrat Party conference and the Labour Party conference, along with Graham McMillan, CTPA’s public affairs consultant. Graham attended the Reform UK Party conference on CTPA’s behalf. Unfortunately, we were unable to attend the Conservative Party conference this year.
At all the Conferences attended, Graham and I raised the profile of the cosmetics and personal care industry and highlighted the key challenges we are all facing, while sharing the key asks that would greatly support our industry and promote its growth.
Labour Party Business Summit
The Business Summit at the Labour Party Conference opened with a discussion with the Prime Minister. Sir Keir shared his thoughts on the past year and his intention for working with business to drive the party’s growth ambition.
The Chancellor, Rachel Reeves, was also interviewed at the Summit. Business was clear to share its concerns about the upcoming Budget and the impacts of the NICs, increased National Living Wage and separately the planned employment law reforms. Of course, the Chancellor did not give any indication of Budget details, but it was good for her to hear the view from business.
The Summit was also an extremely good opportunity to discuss with key DBT Ministers our concerns, in a series of roundtables, including: the importance of the UK Cosmetics Regulations; the need for clarity on UK REACH and the ATRm (Alternative Transitional Registration model); the innovative nature of our industry; and pushing for the publication of the cross-Government Strategy on NAMs (non-animal New Approach Methodologies).
The Summit was led by the new Secretary of State for Business and Trade, Peter Kyle, who also circulated the table discussions. I was very pleased to meet him, knowing that the Secretary has firsthand knowledge of our industry.
Secretary Peter Kyle talked with great passion about progressing with the Government’s aim of Growth. This is also something on which I will be focussing over the coming months and into 2026.
Budget Submission
On 26 November the Chancellor will be presenting the 2025 Budget.
Ahead of the Budget, HM Treasury has welcomed submissions, via an online portal, to understand views on existing policy and to hear thoughts on any new strategies.
CTPA made a Budget Submission, which you can read here.
I will be following up with the contacts made at the Party Conferences and other key Ministers and MPs with the CTPA Budget Submission.
SCS Formulate
The Society of Cosmetic Scientists (SCS) will be holding its flagship event, SCS Formulate, on 11-12 November at the Coventry Building Society Arena. I am honoured to have been asked to deliver one of the Inform presentations. I’ll be providing an update on Key Updates to the Cosmetics Regulatory Framework on 11 November.
This year, a new initiative is being launched called SCS Showcase. The Showcase is a pop-up shop presenting the latest innovative cosmetics and personal care products from UK brands and manufacturers. All proceeds from the Showcase shop will go to the industry charity Look Good Feel Better, which supports people experiencing the awful side effects of cancer treatment.
I look forward to seeing you at Formulate.
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