Cosmetic certification services

What is product compliance and why does it matter?

Product compliance means ensuring your consumer product meets all relevant legal safety, labelling, and documentation requirements before entering the UK or EU markets. Under the precautionary principle, full responsibility lies with the manufacturer, importer, or distributor placing the product on the market. At Taobé, we provide tailored regulatory support for a wide range of general consumer products—including scented candles, air fresheners, home fragrance products, detergents, and other household items. Whether you’re sourcing from international suppliers or navigating complex safety frameworks like Classification, Labelling and Packaging (CLP), Poison Centre Notification (PCN), or the General Product Safety Regulation (GPSR), our experts will guide you through every step toward full compliance.

How does the product compliance process work?

Achieving product compliance for consumer goods involves a step-by-step process to ensure your product is safe, legally compliant, and market-ready. At Taobé, we guide you through each stage, adapting to the UK and EU regulations including CLP, GPSR, Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH), and product-specific requirements.

Our product compliance process:

MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheet) creation

If your suppliers cannot provide a compliant Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS), Taobé will produce one for you. The MSDS is a critical document containing essential information about your product’s chemical composition, safe handling, and potential hazards. It plays a central role in your compliance strategy, ensuring your product meets EU and UK safety regulations. Simply submit your finished product formula, and our experts will prepare a CLP-compliant SDS in accordance with Regulation (EU) 2020/878.

Formula review and label check

Regulatory compliance starts with your formula. Our team of regulatory experts conducts a thorough review of your ingredients to ensure they are permitted for use in cosmetics and consumer goods across the UK and EU. We assess the concentration levels, intended product use, and target population to determine compliance. This step also identifies the correct product classification and guides compliant labelling and claims.

General Product Safety Regulation (GPSR) compliance assessment

The General Product Safety Regulation (GPSR), in effect since 17 December 2024, applies to all consumer products sold in the EU and UK, both online and offline. It brings a wide range of responsibilities for manufacturers, importers, and distributors — including documentation, safety assessments, and responsible person designation. If you’re unsure whether your product meets GPSR requirements, we provide a full review and guide you through every necessary adjustment.

Poison Centre Notification (PCN)

If your product contains hazardous ingredients, it must be notified to the appropriate Poison Control Notification Centres. Most notifications are submitted via the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) portal. Taobé supports your importer by managing the notification process and fulfilling their legal obligations on their behalf — ensuring your product can be placed on the market without delay.

Authorised Representative services

Under the GPSR and related regulations, every consumer product placed on the UK or EU market must have an Authorised Representative. This person or entity must be available for inspections, handle consumer complaints, and maintain compliance records. If your importer or distributor cannot act in this role, Taobé can step in as your Authorised Representative and manage all regulatory obligations efficiently.

Compliance for scented candles and air fresheners

Products like scented candles and non-combustible air fresheners are widely used but subject to strict classification and labelling regulations in the UK and EU. Whether used at home, in cars, or in commercial spaces, these products must meet safety, hazard communication, and documentation standards. Taobé provides end-to-end compliance services for room fragrance products — from SDS creation and classification to market readiness.

Frequently asked questions about Product Compliance

What is product compliance for household goods and general consumer products?

Product compliance means making sure that items like detergents, scented candles, air fresheners, and other household goods meet all legal safety, labelling, and documentation requirements under UK and EU regulations before being placed on the market.

Do I need to notify my product to authorities before selling it in the UK or EU?

Yes, if your product contains hazardous ingredients (common in cleaning agents, air fresheners, or room sprays), you may need to notify poison centres via the ECHA portal or equivalent national systems.

How do I check if the ingredients in my cleaning or fragrance product are compliant?

To ensure full product compliance, you must check that all substances comply with EU/UK regulations like REACH and the CLP Regulation. Restricted or banned ingredients could prevent legal sale, so consulting regulatory databases or product compliance experts is essential.

How long should I keep compliance documentation for general products?

Under product safety regulations, you are required to keep technical documentation (such as SDS, classification reports, and labels) for at least 10 years after the last batch of the product is sold—whether it’s a scented candle, detergent, or any household item.

What happens if my household product fails product compliance checks?

Non-compliant products can be removed from sale, recalled, or penalised with fines. Authorities may also require corrective actions. Non-compliance affects brand trust, delayed market entry, and can lead to legal risk—especially under the General Product Safety Regulation (GPSR).

Are scented candles, diffusers, and air fresheners regulated under product compliance laws?

Yes. These products are regulated under the CLP Regulation, GPSR, and in some cases REACH, especially if they contain hazardous substances. Proper labelling, hazard communication, and safety documentation are all required for legal sale in the UK and EU.

Do I need an authorised representative to sell my product in the UK or EU?

If you are a manufacturer outside the UK or EU, you must appoint an authorised representative to fulfil your obligations under UK and EU product compliance laws. This includes holding technical documentation and acting as a point of contact for market authorities.

What documents are required to prove product compliance in the EU or UK?

You typically need a Safety Data Sheet (SDS), product classification and labelling information, proof of Poison Centre Notification (PCN) if applicable, and labelling that meets CLP/GPSR rules. A full compliance assessment can help identify any missing documents.

Does product compliance apply to handmade or artisanal products like wax melts and room sprays?

Yes. Even small-batch or handmade products must comply with the same safety and labelling standards if they are sold commercially. This includes CLP labelling, hazard communication, and in many cases, PCN notification and responsible person designation.

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