Selling into the US, EU or UK means your packaging has to satisfy real regulation — on labelling, materials and increasingly recyclability. Here's what an indie beauty brand actually needs to know, market by market, in plain English.
Packaging-relevant rules by market: US — FDA cosmetic labeling rules plus MoCRA (registration, safety substantiation, label information); EU — Regulation (EC) 1223/2009 with CPNP notification, plus PPWR packaging targets on recycled content and recyclability; UK — post-Brexit SCPN notification via OPSS, UK cosmetic labeling, and UK REACH for materials. Across all three: leave label space for required info, keep material certificates (food-contact grade, REACH), and factor in recyclability/PCR mandates. This is general guidance, not legal advice.
US cosmetics are regulated by the FDA, and the Modernization of Cosmetics Regulation Act (MoCRA) significantly expanded requirements: facility registration, product listing, safety substantiation and adverse-event reporting. For packaging specifically, that means your label must carry the required information (identity, net quantity, ingredients, responsible-party contact, warnings) — so leave enough print area on the pack and carton. Materials in contact with product should be appropriate/food-contact grade where relevant.
The EU regulates cosmetics under Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009, requiring a Responsible Person, a Product Information File, and CPNP notification before sale. Labelling rules are strict (ingredient list, PAO/period-after-opening symbol, responsible-person address, nominal content). On packaging, the Packaging & Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) is now the big driver — progressive targets on recycled content, recyclability and reusability. Choosing PCR and mono-material recycle-ready structures ahead of these targets is smart. See our PCR packaging and refillable systems.
Post-Brexit, the UK runs its own regime: notify products via the SCPN (Submit Cosmetic Product Notifications) service overseen by the OPSS, follow UK cosmetic labelling rules (broadly aligned with the EU but with a UK Responsible Person address), and ensure materials meet UK REACH. The UK's Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) for packaging also affects reporting and favours recyclable formats.
| Requirement | Packaging implication |
|---|---|
| Mandatory label information | Leave enough print area on pack and carton; a tiny pack may need a peel-back or outer carton |
| Material safety (food-contact / REACH) | Source certified materials; keep the certificates on file |
| Recycled-content & recyclability targets | Favour PCR and mono-material recycle-ready structures, with GRS certificates |
| Period-after-opening (EU/UK) | PAO symbol must be printed on the pack |
Vella sources packaging with the material certificates your market requires (food-contact grade, REACH, PCR/GRS), keeps enough label area in the design for mandatory information, and advises on PPWR / EPR-friendly formats. Partner factories operate to ISO 22716 / GMP standards. We don't provide legal advice — but we make sure the packaging side is compliant-ready. See our market pages for the US, EU and UK.
This guide is general information, not legal advice. Confirm current requirements with a qualified regulatory advisor for your specific products and markets.
Tell us your target markets and formats. We'll source compliant-ready materials with the certificates you need and enough label space for required information.
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