Who should approve food and cosmetic products?

[cambridgeshire]

Hello,

My wife and I are planning to start an eBay shop selling certain food and cosmetic products. These products are presently not directly available from any UK seller; they would come from the USA and we would sell them to UK customers. The question is: am I right supposing that certain UK bureaus/agencies/organizations first have to approve that these products are safe and meet the UK standards (even if they are already approved in the States)? If yes, then what are these bureaus/agencies/organizations?

A second question is: is there any product that do not have to undergo such an inspection before we can sell it in the UK? For example, let's say we are importing memory cards from Thailand or China. Should these be inspected by any bureaus/agencies/organizations prior selling them in the UK?

Thank you in advance

 

[youbetcha1018]

Well, I believe that in every country they these agencies that deals with all export and import goods. I believe that one of the agency is called Customs or Bureau of Customs. I believe that they are responsible for the inspection. All goods from outside a certain country undergo inspection from various agencies. And I believe that before pushing through to that kind of business, you will need to have a permit with you to prove that you allowed to import goods from outside your country.

 

[cambridgeshire]

Thank you. I know I need import rights and I know the goods must be seen by the Customs Office. But I don't think if Customs Office would check the goods if they are safe for the users, if they are in line with the food standards etc. There must be another bureau or organization for that. Just I can't find out the name of that body.

 

[i.m.]

There is plenty you need to do with regard to cosmetics - just google the
Cosmetic Products (Safety) Regulations and that will tell you where to start. Essentially every cosmetic product needs to undergo safety assessment and the labelling of each product needs to be in the correct format (INCI). It is not something just to wander into. Selling cosmetics needs to be properly investigated and managed otherwise Trading Standards will be able to enforce all manner of rules and regs against you.

 

[cambridgeshire]

Thank you very much. I found lots of useful information based on you post.

 

[Paul Kelly ICHYB]

Probably EVERY product needs to be approved in some way. For the EU, most items require CE marking, which shows conformity the regulations. With cosmetics, you have probably seen the process on the info i.m. supplied.

When selling cosmetics, make sure you have public liability insurance, as the consequences of selling something that makes contact with the skin or is consumed can be life threatening!

Most items are not inspected on arrival in the UK, but randon checks do happen and also local trading standards can also do randon checks.

 

[cambridgeshire]

Thank you very much for the info.

 

[Peter B]

For Food importation rules - have a look at the UK Food Standards Agency Website.

Lots of labelling legislation etc.