Hi, I am new to making lotions (creams) and have made some successful sales to friends. Each of my products is as natural as possible, no chemicals etc (apart from my scrubs). However, I am concerned about the legal information that I have read. Does anyone know how much it costs to get a product tested by a chemist, and do you have to form a company to be able to do this?
I have a product set of whipped shea butter, whipped cocoa butter, a hand/body cream, a lip balm and a salve. I would appreciate any advice on this matter.

I did make some soap too, cold and hot process, and I made a lovely hot process soap, but read that each batch needs to be tested. So is it too costly to do it in this way?

Many thanks
Barbara

Hello Barbara, welcome and please don't be put off by the fact that some members can go a little mad at times.

First assessments can be a bit daunting and assessors do vary in what they require (and charge). Unfortunately the very helpful assessor which I and some of the others used announced last Autumn that he could not take on any new home makers of cosmetics but people do have some names and I'm sure someone will be able to point you to a suitable assessor

You don't have to form a company as such if you are a sole producer/trader but you do have to inform the DTI (it's change it's name now to BER (or something like that) - I don't think the address is in the info on Fresholi ATM.

It's the recipe (base plus variations) for each product which is assessed not each batch.

Enjoy the company here - there's a lot of knowledge lurking under the scatty exteriors!!!

Hi Barbara   
Hope you enjoy it here.

Hi Barbara - welcome and hope you enjoy it here!

Hi Barbara, there's lots of info here to help with getting certs plus everyone on here is very friendly and helpfull. Hope you enjoy it 

Hello Barbara.

A warm welcome to the boards.  Those whipped delights sound wonderful, the cocoa one took my interest in particular.  Regarding legal information, there is quite a lot of resources on this matter (however, these might be largely hidden at the moment until you reach 'Author' - acquiring author status is not difficult, have a peep at this information... Acquiring Author Status... )

We have a large number of boards relating to the specific areas of interest so its worth a scoot around the business boards as well as the formulators discussion for more targeted information and do feel free to post to them.  

Well, it is lovely to have you here and I hope you enjoy being part of this lovely community (do pop onto the anything, everything and nothing if you fancy a giggle, there are a few commedians here and the threads make for a good bit of light entertainment  ).

A big warm welcome again!!  

  another new member! welcome Barbara...sounds like u make some lovely products! enjoy!

Hi Barbara welcome to the mad house, I mean forum!! Everyone is lovely here, hope you enjoy it!!

Thank you all for your kind welcome. You may not believe it, but I am quite mad too. I made a shea butter lip balm this evening and made my husband do a blind tasting - he only got 2 right (out of 4!). That's men for you! :mwaha: I did some unscented ones too and its stayed on my lips even after eating - not sure whether it is too hard though. Good for cuticles too!.

Fabulous for cuticles Barbara and for heel balm too (at night of course - don't want slippy slidey in the sandals or should I say wellys what with the time of year and all that).  You are lucky to get that stuff near your hubby, as soon as kes gets a sniff he's rubbing it off - wimp!  Some people like lip balms to stay put.  I do but I also like a kind of moist feeling (like what you get from vasoline) so striking the right balance can be tricky.

Hi Barbara and welcome we are a freindly bunch really some slightly madder than others :mwaha:dont be afraid to ask for help they are a brainy lot too

Hello Barbara, I am very new too and have learned a lot from the experienced people who frequent the site. I am absolutely loving my soapmaking.
I am also a bit insane....No I really am. Ask my hubby and he will tell you. I am also very clumsy which leads me to break special drinking glasses....bump the car etc. (But all this will be saved for another day when I feel I can open up without seeming like a nutter)!!

I hope you enjoy being on here as much as I do.