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I have spoken in the past about CTPA working ‘outside the walls’, and while there is much activity at home, there is also an international flavour to these DG Insights.
New UK Government
On behalf of the cosmetics, beauty and personal care industry, I would like to congratulate Andy Burnham on his new role as Prime Minister and wish him every success.
I have written to Mr Burnham introducing CTPA and our vital industry, our positvie impact on consumers’ lives and the UK economy, noting that CTPA stands ready and willing to work with the Prime Minister, his Ministers and Government, as a trusted partner, on the critical issues affecting our vital sector.
I have also written to the new Secretaries of State for DBIST (Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade) and Defra (Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs), Jonathan Reynolds and Dame Angela Eagle, respectivelyy. We know Jonny Reynolds as a former Secretary of State for Business.
In addition to engagement with No. Ten and the new Cabinet, CTPA will continue with its regular, and important, engagement and advocacy with Government Officials on the critical issues that we face.
British Association of Dermatology Conference: CTPA Poster
CTPA has been working with dermatologists from the BSCA (British Society of Cutaneous Allergy) for over 10 years, following the issues with increased sensitisation to the preservative Methylisothiazolinone. Set up to offer the opportunity to discuss issues of concern from both sides, the BSCA-CTPA Working Group exchanges information and discusses priorities relating to cosmetic ingredients. Notable outcomes of the Group include: Patch Test Guidelines; a Help Note for Dermatologists; and the CTPA Guideline on Artificially Enhanced Nails and Minimising the Risk of Allergy.
Critically, the Working Group collaborates on research projects to investigate the allergenic potential of certain ingredients, as indicated by the BSCA. Between 2021 and 2022, CTPA and its members worked with the BSCA on an audit to investigate the uses of acrylate co-polymers in cosmetic products and their allergenic potential1. Following that, contact allergy to Alkyl Glucosides was investigated2. The CTPA-BSCA WG is now working on a project investigating anhydride copolymer in nail products.
Not only was I pleased to attend the BAD (British Association of Dermatology) Conference in July and join the BSCA session, but as you may have seen in the CTPA LinkedIn post, I was delighted that an e-poster, entitled “Collaborative Patch Testing Audits: Bridging Dermatology and the Cosmetics Industry”, highlighting the joint work, was accepted for presentation at the Conference. I would like to thank all participants in the Working Group, both CTPA members and BSCA representatives. From CTPA, in particular, I would like to thank Caroline Rainsford, Director of Science, Francesca Rapolla, Senior Affairs Manager, Science, and Natascha Kilts, Technical Project Manager, for leading the work on the BSCA-CTPA Working Group, and to Caroline and Francesca for creating the e-poster.
1Soriano LF, Chowdhury MMU, Cousen P, et al. Sensitisation to the acrylate co-polymersglyceryl acrylate/acrylic acid co-polymer, sodium polyacrylate and acrylates/C10-30 alkyl acrylate cross-polymer (Carbopol®) is rare. Contact Dermatitis. 2024;1‐6. doi:10.1111/cod.146796
2Soriano LF, Bertram CG, Chowdhury MMU, et al. Prevalence of allergic contact dermatitis to decyl and lauryl glucoside in the UK and Ireland. Br J Dermatol. 2021 Mar;184(3):571 573
CTPA Scientific Conference: 6 October 2026, Central Hall Westminster, London
I am excited to highlight the CTPA’s very first Scientific Conference! This member-only, in‑person‑only event is the perfect opportunity to connect with industry peers, regulators and other stakeholders shaping the future of our sector.
The theme of the Scientific Conference is ‘Aligning Science, Policy and Consumer Perception.’ 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.
Do not miss the chance to register and attend! Learn more here and register via this link.
ICCR
I am starting my global reflections with Japan, and the International Cooperation on Cosmetics Regulation (ICCR) meeting.
Nico Shaw Núñez, Director of Regulation and Sustainability, and I had the pleasure of joining the Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS) in Tokyo to represent the UK at the ICCR 20th Cycle meeting.
I would like to thank colleagues at the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare of Japan (MHLW) and the Japan Cosmetic Industry Association (JCIA) for a hugely successful meeting and for their warm and generous hospitality. I would also like to congratulate the Japanese leadership on the ICCR 20th Anniversary Declaration, which reflects on the ICCR’s evolution and commits to its purpose and mission, outlining its future directions.
As noted in the recent CTPA LinkedIn post, I am extremely proud that the UK’s application to join ICCR as a full member was approved in Japan. CTPA is excited to be contemplating the implications of full membership for the UK, and exploring with members how we can continue contributing to and engaging with ICCR activities.
CASIC Plenary Meeting
CASIC is the Council of Latin American Cosmetic, Personal Care and Home Care Industries, which comprises Associations and companies from across the region.
I was privileged to be invited to speak at the CASIC 35th Plenary Meeting at the end of July, on the subject of communications at CTPA. I shared our experiences from the start of our journey, with slides from the presentation of the Communications Strategy to the CTPA Board in 2002, through our first communications tools, to the launch of thefactsabout website and some key campaigns, such as our recent initiative "SkinCare Simplified: a Parent's guide".
My presentation preceded an extremely interesting panel discussion on “Addressing misinformation: the importance of communications and Artificial Intelligence for our industries”. Misinformation is rarely local, and it was good to share insights, challenges and solutions from a global perspective.
I am truly grateful to CASIC Executive Director Maria Alejandra Benítez, President María Fernanda León (Procosmetics) and Treasurer Carlos Berzunza (CANIPEC) for the kind invitation and very warm welcome. It was a pleasure to meet many CASIC members and representatives from Health, Environmental and Trade Authorities from the Latin American countries.
Celebrating the UK–India FTA
From Latin America to India, although in this case not literally.
The UK-India Free Trade Agreement (FTA), also known as the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA), entered into force on 15 July 2026. Having been announced in May 2025 and signed by both parties in July last year, the CETA is designed to make trade between the UK and India cheaper, faster and easier by reducing tariffs, improving market access and cutting barriers to trade. CTPA has been engaging with the DBT FTA Utilisation team to support businesses in preparing for benefiting from the Agreement.
I was honoured to join my colleagues Johanna Irigaray, Senior Affairs Manager, International and Diana Tamayo, International Relations Officer, at a reception marking the entry into force of the UK–India Free Trade Agreement at Lancaster House, and to meet Sir Chris Bryant, Minister of State at the Department for Business and Trade, now appointed Secretary of State for Northern Ireland in the new Government.
Danke und auf Wiedersehen
After 41 years at the German Cosmetic, Toiletry, Perfumery and Detergent Association, (IKW), Birgit Huber, Deputy Director General, retired at the end of June. From June 2022- June 2025 Birgit was Vice-president of Cosmetics Europe, and for the last year has been CE President. Birgit opened the Cosmetics Europe Annual Conference on 16 June this year, sharing her passion for our industry.
Birgit has enjoyed so many achievements and successes in her stellar career, but in particular I would like to recognise Birgit’s drive to establish the DGK/IKW-Training for Safety Assessors as a benchmark for safety assessment globally.
I not only class Birgit as a very knowledgeable and valued colleague, but also as a friend. We send Birgit all good wishes for a happy retirement.
In addition to Birgit, Klaus Rettinger and Matthias Ibel are also retiring from IKW and Luca Nava, has retired from Cosmetica Italia.
We wish Klaus, Matthias and Luca all the very best too and thank them for their long and successful careers in our amazing industry.
I hope you all enjoy a restful summer break – and I look forward to seeing you in September.
CTPA, your Association - working for you.
