Pressurized containers (aerosols) play an important role in cosmetics, allowing for the prompt delivery of custom quantities of deodorants, hair mousses, shaving cream, and many more products in a hygienic and practical way.
Aerosols with a capacity of more than 50 ml placed in the EU/EEA and/or NI must keep complying with the EU Directive 75/324/EEC and following amendments and display the required labelling information as well as the reversed epsilon sign ‘3’.
In Northern Ireland, besides the sign ‘3’ attesting the compliance with EU regulations and the U.K. Aerosol
In Great Britain (England, Scotland, Wales), products with a capacity of more than 50 ml marked in compliance with EC Directive 75/324/EEC (and marked with the reversed epsilon ‘3’) will be accepted as compliant until 31 December 2024.
Starting 1 January 2028, aerosols with a capacity of more than 150 ml sold in Great Britain (England, Scotland, Wales) will have to comply with the UK Aerosol Dispenser Regulations 2009 (Regulation 3 and Schedule 1A and requirements for safety testing) and bear the UKCA (UK Conformity Assessed) logo.
The inverted epsilon the ‘3’ sign, will no longer be accepted in GB with the notable exception of products already introduced in Northern Ireland in compliance with EU/EEA and UK rules. These products will be able to keep entering without restriction the Great Britain market indefinitely, without undertaking any further checks or nor to apply for the UKCA mark certification.
On the contrary, GB-compliant products coming from Great Britain, will not be able to be transferred into Northern Ireland or exported to the EU/EEA area without also being certified as per EU regulation 75/324/EEC and bearing the ‘3’ sign (the UKCA marking is not recognized in the EU/EEA). Besides the ‘3’ sign, if being transferred to Northern Ireland the UKNI sign may be optionally required, based on the spray safety testing method adopted.
To allow unfettered access to the UK and EU/EEA market, it is therefore highly recommended that all aerosol dispenser products introduced in the UK (intended to be circulated either in Great Britain or in Northern Ireland), or in the EU/EEA get certified under BOTH the EU Regulation 75/324/EEC (and display the ‘3’ sign) AND the UK Aerosol Dispenser Regulations 2009 (and display the UKCA sign). In the case of NI, besides the EU 75/324/EEC certification, a UKNI marking may be required to be displayed in conjunction with the ‘3’ sign.
For any further information on this topic, you can reach to us directly at contact@gcrs.co.uk.
Federico Brunello
GCRS Global
Your Global Regulatory & Compliance Partner
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