Selling Handmade Soap
A question that I am frequently asked by participants in my soap making classes is:
“Can I sell my handmade soap?”
And my answer is yes you can. However, it is not just a case of learning to make soap and then creating a few different batches to sell at your local artisan market. There is a little more to it than that. This usually leads to another question:
“Is it complicated?”
It is not complicated at all. It is quite a simple process, but you obviously need to know what the requirements are before you can meet them.
So, in answer to the first question if you want to sell your handmade soap, you will need to comply with cosmetics regulations.
Why do you need to comply with cosmetics regulations and what are they? As handmade soap is classed as a cosmetic the regulations apply if you want to sell it. A cosmetic product is defined as any product that is intended for use on the skin. The regulations cover many areas of selling your soap including labelling requirements and allergen declarations to name a few.
What are the Basic Requirements for Selling Your Handmade Soap in the UK?
You must notify the Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS) about all the cosmetic products that you make available to consumers in Great Britain (GB).
In addition, every cosmetic product placed on the market in the UK requires a cosmetic safety assessment carried out by a suitably qualified professional.
What is the Purpose of the Cosmetic Products Legislation?
The main objective of cosmetic products legislation is consumer safety. This is central to all the requirements and as a business owner you will need to be confident that your products are safe for use on the skin.
This is a very brief overview of what you will need to do if you want to sell your handmade soap in the UK.
If you want to learn about all the detailed requirements, then I run a business course online where you will learn everything you need to know about selling your own handmade soap. Click here for further details.
