The Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS) has released performance data from the Submit a Cosmetic Products Notification (SCPN) system. As of 28 May 2026, the portal recorded 861,686 product notifications from 24,112 registered Responsible Persons. These figures reflect activity since the system launched in December 2020 to replace the EU’s notification process for the Great Britain market.
Direct Action on Prohibited Ingredients
This data release follows a specific parliamentary inquiry into the safety of beauty products, including hair relaxers. The OPSS confirmed it has actively intervened where products notified through the SCPN contained banned ingredients. Enforcement actions mandated that businesses either rectify product data or pull non-compliant items from the market entirely.
The Responsibility of Salon Owners
For UK salon and beauty business owners, this system represents more than administrative background noise. If you source products from international distributors or smaller independent brands, the burden of verifying compliance falls closer to home than many realise. The existence of the SCPN means there is a clear, searchable record of what is legally permitted for sale and use in Great Britain.
When authorities identify prohibited substances in products, the resulting enforcement action disrupts your supply chain immediately. A brand might be forced to withdraw a line mid-season, leaving you with gaps in your retail shelves or treatment rooms. Relying solely on a brand’s claims without confirming their status as a registered Responsible Person in the UK leaves your business exposed to the fallout of a recall.
Improving Your Due Diligence
The transition from EU notification standards to the current UK system requires a shift in how salons manage retail stock. Treat every new product introduction as a regulatory check-point. Verify that your suppliers are operating within the current British framework. If a product you use appears in an investigation or receives a notice from the OPSS, you must pivot quickly to alternative products that have passed the necessary notification requirements.
Monitor your existing inventory against safety updates issued by the OPSS. Compliance is not a one-time setup process but a cycle of monitoring ingredient lists and supplier status. Businesses that prioritise vetting their professional and retail products today avoid the costs and client trust issues associated with pulling stock later.
