SCPN Product Notification for Multiple Variants

Introduction

A multiple-variant SCPN submission allows UK cosmetic brands to register different versions of the same product line for example varying fragrances, different sizes, or cosmetic shades as a single product line on the UK Submit Cosmetic Product Notification Portal (SCPN).

As per the UK Cosmetic Regulations 2020 (SI 2020/1466), all product variants needing different formulations, fragrances, or different presentations must be communicated to the OPSS prior to the entry of a product into the UK market.

The SCPN Product Notification for Multiple Variants service provided by Phoenix Safety Consultants guarantees that all variants within a range of your products are accurately captured knowing the grouping requirements set by OPSS, along with complete Responsible Person documentation.

Understanding Multiple-Variant Submissions

In UK cosmetic compliance, a “variant” is any version of a cosmetic product that is different in color, fragrance, or any other property that is not critical to safety, but shares a common core formulation. Different shades of a lipstick, a shampoo line with a variety of fragrances, or a moisturiser in different sizes are all examples of cosmetic variants.

Although OPSS allows related variants to be submitted together, each variant must still be unique and accompanied by complete compositional and Data labeling. Phoenix Safety Consultants guarantees that your multi-variant notification meets these expectations by:

• Organising submissions so that each variant is listed separately within a single SCPN entry.
• Identifying and confirming shared frame formulations and noting any variant-specific changes to ingredients.
• Ensuring that product images, product labels, and records of the Responsible Person are all coherent.

This facilitates time efficiency, while also assuring that all legal requirements are fulfilled with respect to each product version.

Regulatory Framework

The UK Cosmetic Regulation 2020 (SI 2020/1466) legally preserves Article 13 of Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009. Cosmetic products require RP to notify consumers electronically and submit product information before the product is made available to consumers.

When products have different variations, the following need to be included in the notification:

• Base (Frame) Formulation: Shared foundational composition of the variations.
• Variant-Specific Data: Unique identifiers for each colour, fragrance, and packaging.
• INCI Listings: Comprehensive ingredient lists for each variation that align with the frame formulation.
• Product Function and Category: Classification according to OPSS portal.
• Responsible Person Information: Name, UK business address, and contact number of the RP.
• Art 19 Compliant Label and Image Uploads: Ensure each variation meets labelling requirements and provide visual evidence.

Phoenix will document audit-ready, traceable evidence compliant with each notification and OPSS's SCPN submissions guide. This preserves audit-ready documentation for cross your cosmetic range.

What We Provide

Our Multiple-Variant SCPN Notification Service encompasses the entire journey from data processing to final confirmation of submission.

The deliverables are as follows:

• Multi-Variant Data Compilation: Building and verifying the formulation data and supporting documents to check formulation data and variant identifiers.
• Frame Formulation Consolidation: Preparation of a compliant shared formula that includes all variants.
• INCI and Concentration Review: Review of all the ingredients to verify if they comply with the legal limits and annex restrictions of the UK Cosmetic Regulation 2020.
• Portal Submission: Uploading all required variant data to the OPSS SCPN Portal submission and verifying correct identification of each variant.
• Confirmation Report: Confirmation of submission that includes SCPN reference numbers along with timestamped submission evidence.
• Optional Ongoing Support: Ongoing support to the Responsible Person and liaison to OPSS should they require any clarifications or additional data.

Your data is handled with confidentiality and is provided in a format that may be included in your Product Information File (PIF) and Cosmetic Product Safety Report (CPSR) documentation.

Who Needs This Service

For businesses in the same line of the brand with different product offerings, these services work seamlessly. These services assist:

• Manufacturers and brand owners with lines of products with different shades, sizes, or fragrances.
• Private-label producers working with brand variants.
• Responsible persons supervising several brand notifications in their portfolio.
• Importers and distributors of non-UK products featuring British market re-notification.

Common practices may involve lipsticks with several shades, shower gels in different fragrances, or creams packaged in varied sizes. Our services will help you organize and maintain compliance with the law.

Process and Turnaround

To maintain compliance and efficiency, we’ve defined our workflow processes as step by step, precise, and clear as follows:

1. Data Collection: The client sends us formulation data, product images, and labels/artwork for all variants.
2. Verification: All variants are thoroughly checked for formulation consistency, compliance for each ingredient, and accuracy of labelling.
3. Portal Preparation: Multi-variant submissions are organized in the SCPN system. We cluster related variants with one base product.
4. Submission and Confirmation: Phoenix does the official submission via the OPSS SCPN Portal and sends evidence of acceptance.

For turnaround, we complete the task in the standard of 3–5 working days max, depending on how many variants and documents there are. We can also do expedited for urgent relabelling projects or launches.

Pricing and Deliverables

Indicative Pricing

• Single Multi-Variant Submission: £15–£145 (this will depend on how complex the data and variants are).

Deliverables

• Verified multi-variant SCPN submissions on the OPSS portal.
• Compliance Confirmation Certificate with unique SCPN reference(s).
• Regulatory Compliance Summary Report with formulation checks and Responsible Person.
• Submission Log and Timestamp Evidence for the Product Information File (PIF).

All outputs meet UK government SCPN portal standards and are ready for enforcement authority inspection.

Every cosmetic product variant has to go through a notification process before being sold in the UK. Not notifying can lead to enforcement action, refusal of imports, or withdrawal of the product.

Efficiently notifying all your product variants with full compliance to UK regulations. Get in touch with Phoenix Safety Consultants for expert multi-variant SCPN assistance.

→ Submit SCPN Request for Multiple Variants
→ Discover UK Responsible Person Services
→ See CPSR and PIF Documentation Services