When you first started your skincare or beauty business, you probably realised very quickly there’s a lot more that goes into running a business than making products.

There’s a lot of legislation to follow, especially when it comes to the skincare and cosmetics industry.

In fact, there are at least 10 separate bits of legislation, regulations and standards that you have to comply with if you’re selling skincare or other beauty products in Australia.

Cosmetics business owners are usually focused on what information to put on their labels – which makes sense as they are a visible and highly regulated part of your business.

But there is so much more to being compliant than that.

Even if you’ve been in business for a while, it’s possible you could be failing to comply with something without even realising it.

Here are 5 of the most common cosmetic compliance mistakes and what you can do to avoid them.

1. Not displaying the correct information on a label.

Cosmetic labelling requirements in Australia can be complex, with at least six different laws and regulations needing to be met. Make sure you know what mandatory information you need to include on your label and packaging (hint – it’s more than just your ingredients!)

2. Making false and misleading claims.

You can’t make statements that are incorrect or likely to create a false impression for your customers. This includes claims on your label, website, and any other marketing or promotional material.

3. Not displaying the right policies on your website.

As well as making sure your website is optimised for sales and provides a great user experience, it’s vital you clearly display the information required by law along with information to protect your business in the case of a dispute.

4. Not making sure your products are safe.

Making sure products are safe for consumers to use is essential for all product-based businesses. Not only do you want to make sure your customers don’t have any adverse reactions, but it’s also a requirement under the Australian Consumer Law.

5. Making therapeutic claims.

You have to make compliant cosmetic claims, so you can’t say a product will prevent or treat a disease or illness, or affect the structure or functions of the body. These are therapeutic claims that can only be made if you’ve gone through the right processes with the TGA.

Want to understand how to comply with cosmetics regulations? Comment below or send me a DM on Instagram on how you can work or learn with me.