Rules and regulations regarding home made soap

[sirving]

Im doing some basic research into selling homemade soap to the public. Are there any rules and regulations regarding getting the recipes certified and how and where the product is made? Also would I need any insurance?

Many Thanks

 

[mcgovern]

the same regulations that cover homemade lemonade

 

[sirving]

Thanks, much appreciated

 

[Merchant UK]

Im doing some basic research into selling homemade soap to the public. Are there any rules and regulations regarding getting the recipes certified and how and where the product is made? Also would I need any insurance?

Many Thanks

I think its a little bit more specific than Home made lemonade.

Basically anything that you sell which is applied to the skin, be it soaps, lotions or balms needs to be tested and certified.

This one is important as its UK regs for soaps etc - http://www.berr.gov.uk/files/file25422.pdf

If you make homemade products you will need them certified by a cosmetic chemist that they are safe to use on the skin otherwise you could be in serious trouble with big fines.

The best way around it is if you buy certified products from an established soap items wholsaler.

however if you still want to go ahead and create products yourself using raw materials then you can get yourself certified, do a google and you get places like this http://www.gracefruit.com/safety-assessments/

As for insurance, i would recommend some form of public liability insurance, after all its peace of mind in case someone suffers a reaction

 

[learnings cool]

so does that mean if all your ingredients come from a certified soap store then we don't need our own certification (for the time being)?
also is this including creams and balms?not just making and selling soaps

 

[ecommerce84]

so does that mean if all your ingredients come from a certified soap store then we don't need our own certification (for the time being)?
also is this including creams and balms?not just making and selling soaps

I can’t help with the first part of your question, but according to this linkthe regulations cover all ‘Cosmetic Products’ which are defined as:

any substance or mixture intended to be placed in contact with the external parts of the human body (epidermis, hair system, nails, lips, etc.)

So I would say yes it does include creams and balms as well as soap.

 

[Mr D]

so does that mean if all your ingredients come from a certified soap store then we don't need our own certification (for the time being)?
also is this including creams and balms?not just making and selling soaps

Provided the soap store has had the product tested as required.

 

[Tricia T]

I have read all the posts regarding legislation around selling home made soaps and am wondering how this applies to ideas I have for starting up workshops. My plan was to provide the raw ingredients and instruct attendees to make bath bombs and soaps which they then take home for their own use. I had also planned on selling a variety of my own made bath bombs, soaps and shower jellies but now fear that legislation makes this a complex process. Any advise would be very welcome.