Hair dye is the cosmetic most closely linked to serious allergic reactions, which is why it's also one of the most tightly controlled. Only approved dye substances can be used, each with its own limit after mixing, and the label must carry detailed safety warnings. Before your hair colour, bleach or colour remover can be sold in the UK or EU, it needs a Cosmetic Product Safety Report (CPSR) signed by a qualified safety assessor.
Our CPSR for Hair Colour Products covers temporary, semi-permanent, demi-permanent and permanent hair colourants, colour kits, developers, bleaching powders and lighteners, toners, colour removers, colour restorers, henna and plant-based dyes, and eyebrow and lash tints. Each report is prepared and signed by a qualified safety assessor and written to Annex I of the Cosmetics Regulation.
What Your Hair Colour Safety Assessment Looks At
- The approved dye list. Hair dye substances must be specifically listed in Annex III, each with a maximum on-head concentration. The assessor checks every dye in every shade against the current list.
- On-head concentrations after mixing. Permanent colour is assessed as it's actually applied, after mixing with developer. Your mixing ratio and instructions must match the safety assessment.
- Sensitisation and allergy warnings. Many dyes, such as PPD and toluene-2,5-diamine, are strong sensitisers. The assessor confirms the standard hair dye warning text, the allergy alert test and the under-16 restriction are correctly applied.
- Hydrogen peroxide and persulfates. Developers are checked against the 12% hydrogen peroxide limit for hair products, and bleaching powders containing persulfates are assessed for skin and breathing sensitisation.
- Henna, indigo and natural dyes. Plant-based dyes must be free from unlisted dyes like PPD. Supplier evidence is reviewed to confirm purity.
- Colour restorers and removers. Lead acetate is banned in cosmetics, and other restorer ingredients have tight limits. Colour removers are assessed for scalp irritation and contact time.
- Brow and lash tints. Tints used near the eyes have stricter conditions, and some are restricted to professional use.
What's Included in Your CPSR
Part A: Cosmetic Product Safety Information
- Quantitative and qualitative composition: every ingredient with its concentration, for each shade and each kit component, plus on-head concentrations after mixing.
- Physical and chemical characteristics and stability: pH, viscosity and stability of colour creams, developers and powders.
- Microbiological quality: challenge test review or a justified rationale for each component.
- Impurities, traces and packaging: dye substance purity and impurity data, and packaging compatibility.
- Normal and reasonably foreseeable use: consumer or professional use, contact time, frequency and the mixing process.
- Exposure calculation: hair dye exposure values based on on-head concentrations.
- Toxicological profile: hazard data and Margin of Safety calculations, with sensitisation assessment for each dye.
- Undesirable effects: any known reactions to the product or similar products.
- Information on the cosmetic product: supporting data, including claims evidence where relevant.
Part B: Cosmetic Product Safety Assessment
- Assessment conclusion: a clear statement on whether each shade and component is safe for its intended use.
- Label warnings and instructions: full hair dye warning text, allergy alert test instructions, glove instructions, professional-use statements and peroxide warnings.
- Reasoning: the scientific justification behind the conclusion.
- Assessor credentials and signature: signed by a qualified safety assessor, as required by Article 10.
Products Covered
- Temporary hair colour, sprays, chalks and colour-depositing products
- Semi-permanent and demi-permanent colour
- Permanent (oxidative) hair colour and colour kits
- Developers and oxidising creams
- Bleaching powders, lighteners and toners
- Colour removers and dye removers
- Colour restorers and progressive dyes
- Henna, indigo and plant-based hair dyes
- Eyebrow and eyelash tints
- Beard dyes
Selling perms, relaxers or styling products? See our CPSR for Hair Styling Products. Shampoos and conditioners? See CPSR for Hair Care.
Who This Service Is For
Hair colour brands launching at-home kits. Professional colour brands selling to salons. Fashion colour and vivid shade brands. Henna, indigo and natural dye brands, including South Asian and Middle Eastern henna producers. Brow and lash tint brands. Private-label sellers and online sellers on Amazon, Etsy or TikTok Shop who've been asked for a CPSR. If your hair colour product will be sold in Great Britain or the EU, you need a CPSR first.
How It Works
- Place your order and choose your speed: Standard (5 business days), Fast (3 business days) or Express (48 hours).
- Send your formulas. Share formulations for every shade and kit component, mixing ratios, dye substance specifications and your label draft.
- We assess your range. Our safety assessor checks every dye against the approved list, calculates on-head concentrations and reviews sensitisation and warnings.
- We flag any issues early. If a dye isn't permitted, exceeds its limit or a warning is missing, we explain clearly and help you fix it.
- You receive your signed CPSR. Ready for your SCPN or CPNP notification, your PIF and your marketplace listings.
Why Brands Trust Cosmetic Compliance Nest
- Qualified safety assessors. Every CPSR is reviewed and signed by a qualified assessor, as the law requires.
- Hair colour expertise. We know the approved dye list, on-head limits and mandatory warnings inside out.
- Every shade checked. Your full range is assessed shade by shade and component by component.
- Fast turnaround. Delivery in as little as 48 hours to keep your launch on schedule.
- Trusted by 500+ cosmetic brands across the UK, EU and beyond.
- 100% confidential. Your shade formulas stay yours. Verify any report we issue.
Legal Framework
- Article 10 and Annex I, Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009 (EU Cosmetics Regulation)
- Schedule 34, The Product Safety and Metrology etc. (Amendment etc.) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (UK)
- Commission Implementing Decision 2013/674/EU (guidelines on Annex I)
- SCCS Notes of Guidance for the testing of cosmetic ingredients and their safety evaluation
- Annex II (prohibited substances) and Annex III (hair dye substances, hydrogen peroxide and persulfates)
Next Steps After Your CPSR
Your CPSR is the foundation of your compliance. To sell legally, you'll also need:
- A PIF for Hair Colour & Bleach, the full technical file built around your CPSR
- UK SCPN Product Notification or EU CPNP Product Notification
- A UK or EU Responsible Person
Want everything sorted at once? The Complete Compliance Pack covers CPSR, PIF, SDS and notification together. An SDS is often requested for developers and bleaching powders.
Ready to get your colour range legally on sale? Add your CPSR to the cart today, or chat with our safety team if you have questions first.