Product Registration: What to Do (and What to Avoid) When Taking a Product to Market

Let’s be honest. Product registration isn’t the glamorous part of launching a new product. But it is the bit that makes sure your brand can actually operate legally, avoid fines, and stay on shelves. Done well, it can actually give you a competitive edge.

Whether you're launching a cosmetic, medical device, or food supplement, the registration process is where most brands either get it right… or get stuck. Here are three key steps to follow, and three common mistakes to avoid, so you can get your product to market without delays, drama, or unnecessary risk.

Three Steps to Get Product Registration Right

1. Know your classification, and know it early

Before you even think about registration, make sure you’ve correctly classified your product. Is it a cosmetic or a borderline medical device? A food supplement or a food for special medical purposes? Classification determines which regulations apply, what documentation you need, and who you’re reporting to, so if you get it wrong, everything else falls apart.

We’ve seen brands waste months (and serious money) registering under the wrong framework. It’s avoidable… and we’ll help you figure it out properly from the start.

2. Prepare a full, compliant dossier

No matter what the product is, you’ll need to prepare a Product Information File (PIF), Technical File, or dossier that supports its safety, performance, and compliance. That includes ingredients, testing, labelling, claims, manufacturing info, and more. It’s not just about filing the paperwork, it’s about demonstrating that your product is safe and legal.

We make sure your file is done properly, meets the right standards, and stands up to scrutiny.

3. Submit through the correct portal, and keep it updated

Whether you’re registering through the UK SCPN, EU CPNP, or FDA listing portal, it’s not just about hitting “submit.” You need to make sure the information is accurate, that the right person or company is listed as the Responsible Person, and that you’re ready for post-market obligations.

Once it’s live, the job doesn’t stop, registrations need maintaining, especially when there are formulation changes, packaging updates, or changes to your legal entity.

Three Mistakes to Avoid

1. Rushing to launch without doing the groundwork

We get it. Deadlines are tight, and retail deals are exciting. But registering a product last minute (or worse, after it’s already on sale) is a fast track to compliance issues. Plan ahead, and build the registration timeline into your launch process.

2. Copy-pasting someone else’s info

We see it all the time; brands copying claims, INCI lists or safety language from competitors. The problem? What’s legal for them might not be legal for you. Every product is different, and regulators can tell when you haven’t done your due diligence.

3. Assuming one registration works everywhere

Registering in the UK doesn't mean you’re automatically covered in the EU, and vice versa. Each market has its own requirements. A one-size-fits-all approach doesn’t work and relying on it could see your product pulled.

At Taylored Consultancy, we help you launch confidently, legally, and with your reputation intact. Product registration is a strategic step. Done properly, it sets your business up to scale.

Need support? Get in touch! We’ll handle the boring bits, so you can focus on the launch.

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