UK trade body Cosmetic, Toiletry and Perfumery Association (CTPA) has argued the beauty industry should be prioritised by the British government as a sub-section of the life sciences sector.
The CTPA’s Agenda for Government report values the UK cosmetics and personal care industry at over £9.5 billion ($12 billion) in retail sales, supporting a total GDP contribution of £27.2 billion and employment of 603,000.
“While the industry is not an initial priority sector in the government’s industrial strategy, our industry should be considered as a sub-sector of the life sciences sector,”said a spokeswoman.
“They are closely linked, both are highly scientific, highly regulated, innovative and dedicated to meeting essential requirements for health, hygiene and wellbeing,” she added.
“We would propose that further sectors are given priority after the initial focus on the listed priority sectors, as the UK needs all sectors of the economy to be thriving to achieve the government’s Growth Mission.”
Agenda for Government sets out a number of proposals to help the industry grow sustainably in the next five years and beyond, covering five pillars: essentiality, regulation, science, sustainability and business.
The proposals include the UK govenrment ensuring that decisions on the safe use of cosmetic ingredients and finished cosmetics and personal care products continue to follow a robust science-led and risk-based approach.
“We require a long-term commitment to transparent, risk-based and independent scientific advice to inform the regulation of cosmetics under the UK Cosmetics Regulation,” it said.
The full report can be found at https://www.ctpa.org.uk/file.php?fileid=4588.
