Third-Party Seller Testing and Consulting
In the competitive landscape of beauty and personal cosmetic products, ensuring compliance with stringent product testing and safety requirements is essential for success on major retail platforms like Amazon, HSN (Home Shopping Network), and QVC. These platforms have established comprehensive guidelines to protect consumers and maintain high standards. This service page provides an in-depth overview of the critical testing and safety requirements to sell beauty and personal cosmetic products on these popular marketplaces.
Amazon Beauty and Personal Care Product Requirements
As a cosmetic and beauty product seller, Amazon is an excellent option for promoting and selling your products. The potential to reach millions of customers is appealing, and the tools they offer to support small businesses can make selling online approachable for many.
However, to protect consumers and comply with regulations, they enforce rigorous compliance standards for beauty and personal care products.
When selling beauty and personal care products on Amazon, there are several requirements that a seller must meet.
Product Labeling and Packaging for Personal Care Products
Labeling Compliance
All beauty and cosmetic products sold on Amazon must be labeled in accordance with FDA regulations. This includes a list of ingredients, usage instructions, warnings, and the manufacturer’s contact information.
Packaging
Packaging for these products must be secure to prevent leakage or damage during transit. Products should also be tamper-evident to ensure consumer safety and comply with regulations.
Safety and Testing Standards
In addition to packaging and labeling regulations, there are stringent requirements for product safety testing to protect customer well-being. Depending on the product, claims, and intended use, a variety of tests may be required. Our experts are happy to discuss what testing your product may need to ensure its safety.
Product Safety
Products must be proven safe for consumer use and free from harmful ingredients and contaminants. This involves laboratory testing for microbial contamination, heavy metals, and other hazardous substances, as well as clinical trials with human participants.
In addition to laboratory testing, in-vitro and clinical testing are vital steps in product safety testing to ensure the products you plan to sell are safe and produce the intended result.
Stability Testing of Cosmetics
Stability testing is not required at present but is recommended to ensure that products maintain efficacy and safety throughout their shelf life. This involves assessing the product’s physical, chemical, and microbiological stability under various environmental conditions.
The team at CPT℠ has the experience you need to ensure your product is safe and meets the requirements for selling on Amazon.
Documentation and Certification
Certificate of Analysis (COA)
A COA is used to verify the product’s compliance with safety and quality standards in accordance with applicable regulations. This document should detail the results of various tests conducted on the product, the methods of the tests, and the lab that conducted the testing.
Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) Certification
For some products, including dietary supplements, the FDA and Amazon requires sellers to demonstrate that their products are manufactured in facilities that comply with GMP standards, ensuring consistent quality and safety. While the FDA has no GMP requirement for cosmetics currently, products sold in the EU also require this certification.
Need help to comply with Amazon’s regulations for third-party sellers? We can help!
HSN Beauty and Personal Care Product Requirements
For some manufacturers, HSN is an excellent opportunity to promote their products and reach their target audience. HSN maintains a robust list of requirements that must be met before a product can be featured.
Quality Assurance and Product Testing
Microbial Testing
Products sold on HSN must be tested for microbial contamination to ensure they are free from harmful bacteria, yeast, and mold. This is crucial for products applied to the skin or near the eyes.
Stability and Compatibility Testing
Stability testing ensures that the product remains safe and effective over time. Compatibility testing ensures that the product packaging does not react with the product. These tests protect consumers from unwanted and unexpected interactions due to the product breakdown or interaction with the container.
Regulatory Compliance
FDA Compliance
All products must comply with FDA regulations, including proper labeling and ingredient disclosure. This is essential for building consumer trust and avoiding legal issues.
Safety Data Sheets (SDS)
Each product must have an SDS detailing the chemical properties, hazards, and safe handling practices. This is particularly important for products that may pose a health risk if not handled properly.
Product Information and Transparency
Full Ingredient Disclosure
HSN requires manufacturers to disclose all ingredients used in the product. This helps consumers make informed decisions and ensures transparency.
Claims Substantiation
Any claims about the product, such as “anti-aging” or “moisturizing,” must be substantiated with scientific evidence. This helps maintain credibility and consumer trust.
Trying to get your products on HSN? We can ensure you meet their requirements.
QVC Beauty and Personal Care Product Requirements
QVC is another route many cosmetic and personal care companies use to sell products directly to consumers. Their comprehensive beauty and personal care product requirements reflect their commitment to quality and safety.
Pre-Approval Process
Product Information Form (PIF)
Sellers must complete a PIF detailing the product’s ingredients, intended use, and any claims made. QVC’s quality assurance team reviews this form to ensure compliance with its standards.
Safety Testing
Products must undergo rigorous safety testing, including skin irritation and sensitization tests, to ensure that they are safe for use on various skin types. There are a wide variety of tests to ensure product safety. The experts at CPT℠ can help you determine which tests your product needs.
Manufacturing and Quality Control
GMP Compliance
Like Amazon, QVC requires that products be manufactured in GMP-certified facilities. This ensures that the products are produced under consistent and controlled conditions.
Batch Testing
Each batch of products should be tested for consistency in quality and safety. This includes testing for microbial contamination and product efficacy.
Regulatory Documentation
Regulatory Compliance Statement
Sellers must provide a statement confirming that the product complies with all relevant regulations, including FDA guidelines.
Third-Party Certifications
Products that claim to be organic, cruelty-free, or hypoallergenic must have third-party certifications to support these claims. This adds an extra layer of credibility and consumer assurance.
Looking to sell on QVC? Trust CPT℠ to help you meet their requirements.
Partner with CPT℠ to Comply with Requirements from Third-Party Sellers
Selling beauty and personal care products on Amazon, HSN, and QVC can be an excellent opportunity for your business to reach new audiences and sell products. However, each platform requires strict adherence to its respective product testing and safety requirements. When you trust CPT℠ to ensure compliance with these standards, you can gain access to these lucrative marketplaces, build trust with consumers, and enhance their brand reputation. Whether it’s meeting labeling requirements, conducting comprehensive safety testing, or providing detailed documentation, our team of experts can help guide you through the process.
Our Departments
Based on the individual needs of our clients, we offer a wide range of support across various departments. Since initial product testing can be fairly complex in terms of a high-quality, safe and trusted product, our clients typically explore the benefits of numerous departments and areas of expertise, including:
- Clinical — Efficacy trials can be performed for safety, consumer in-use, and to support claims such as ‘dermatologist-tested’ and ‘ophthalmologist-tested.’
- In-Vitro Toxicology — Our In-Vitro Toxicology department assists clients when they are looking to perform non-animal (animal-free) toxicology testing.
- Microbiology — Microbial contamination and preservative efficacy testing are key to cosmetic and OTC drug products.
- Photobiology — From SPF and Water-Resistant claims to Photoallergy and Phototoxicity studies, CPT℠ is the world leader in sunscreen testing.
- Analytical — From raw materials, product batch release, and stability shelf-life testing to “free-of” and low-level detection claims, our analytical department ensures that all requirements are met based on industry standards.
- Consulting – Our consulting staff can perform GMP and GLP audits of your facilities or vendors, help create SOPs, develop testing programs, etc.
Get In Touch
Please Note: CPT℠ only performs testing for companies. We do not perform product testing for the general public.