On Dec. 3, 2024, during a Parliamentary reception, the Cosmetic, Toiletry and Perfumery Association (CTPA) formally launched its Agenda for Government, outlining seven set of proposals from the cosmetics, personal care and beauty sector to help the industry grow sustainably in the next five years and beyond.
The agenda, supported by research from Opinium (see below), covers five core areas: essentiality, regulation, science, sustainability and business. The main points by the CTPA include the following (see the full press announcement for more details).
7 Proposals for UK Government to Grow the Beauty Industry
- Government should work with CTPA and the industry on a dedicated strategy for the sector as an extension of the Government’s proposed Industrial Strategy. "...While the industry is not an initial priority sector in the Government’s Industrial Strategy, our industry should be considered as a sub-sector of the Life Sciences sector. They are closely linked, both are highly scientific, highly regulated, innovative and dedicated to meeting essential requirements for health, hygiene and well-being. We would propose that further sectors are given priority after the initial focus on the listed priority sectors..."
- The Government must protect the vitally important provisions in the UK Cosmetics Regulation (UKCR) in the Product Safety Review (PSR). "A fundamental ask of the industry is that the framework of the UK Cosmetics Regulation (UKCR), a key safety law, is preserved and continues to be sector-specific, risk-based and regulates the safe use of cosmetic ingredients and finished cosmetic products placed on the UK market. ...The British public agrees that cosmetics and personal care products are safe and supports the UK having strict safety laws in place. A clear majority opposes any relaxation in the UK’s safety rules for these products."
- CTPA asks that decisions on the safe use of cosmetic ingredients and finished cosmetics and personal care products continue to follow a robust science-led and risk-based approach. "We require a long-term commitment to transparent, risk-based and independent scientific advice to inform the regulation of cosmetics under the UK Cosmetics Regulation."
- The new Government should move fast to strengthen relations, reduce barriers to trade and increase regulatory cooperation with the EU.
- The new Government should ensure that UK REACH is delivered in a way that reduces costs and bureaucracy for all companies of all sizes as much as possible, ensures strong regulatory cooperation with the EU - including data sharing if possible - and continues to protect consumers and the environment.
- CTPA asks that the new Government publishes a strategy that establishes a commitment to integrate the use of animal-free methods into the safety assessment of chemicals, as was committed to by the previous Government. "This will promote the use and regulatory acceptance of these methods in the UK, building on the long-established UK and EU bans on animal testing for cosmetic products and ingredients, helping the UK to become a world leader in animal-free scientific methods."
- On sustainability and Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR), industry would like to work with Government on the design and delivery of EPR to ensure it achieves its environmental objectives. "CTPA supports the Government’s proposal that companies who communicate with take-back schemes that meet all of the Government’s requirements and urge consumers to use them should be able to benefit from lower EPR fees for packaging suitable for take-back."
Beauty and Personal Care are Essential — and a Major Industry
Emma Meredith, Ph.D., Director-General of CTPA said: “The cosmetics, personal care and beauty sector shares the Government’s ambition with its Growth Mission. Our products are absolutely essential for everyday living, hygiene, self confidence and self-esteem. Cosmetic products such as sunscreen and toothpastes are also vital for public health, while soap and hand cleansers help reduce the spread of disease."
She added, "The sector is based on science and innovation, contains both multinational corporations and a huge number of SMEs, and is a major exporter. It is focused on safety, sustainability and inclusivity and is present on every high street in the country through retail, salons, barbers and spas. It is a major UK success story and we want to partner with Government on a dedicated strategy to secure the continued sustainable growth of this indispensable industry."
Opinium's Beauty, Personal Care Sector Findings
Opinium's research (n = 2,000+ adults, nationally and politically represented) illustrate Meredith's statements about the industry.
- Almost three in four adults in the UK (72%) say these products are important for their self-esteem and confidence.
- More than four in five (82%) say they are important for self-care.
- 79% of UK adults class cosmetics and personal care products as important to their lives; the figure is higher among women (86%).
- Nine in ten consider these products to be important for personal hygiene (90%) and oral health (90%).
- Nine in ten UK adults (91%) feel brushing their teeth twice a day is important for their and their family’s oral health.
- In terms of sunscreens, more than four-fifths (88%) considered them to be important for the health of their and their family’s skin in providing protection from the sun.
