Advice on starting soap making business

sugar_pie

Hi, I have already tried posting this in the small business section and had no replied, so I thought I'd try posting it here. I'm not sure if that's allowed, so apologies if I've broken some rule or other?

Hi,
Hopefully this is the right place to post this, any advice would be very welcome. I have been making my own soaps, bath bombs, massage bars etc... for a few years now as a hobby, but I am interested in selling some of them to raise a bit of extra cash. The problem I'm having is finding out any legal info and wondered if anyone here could help?
I know you have to have a saftey certificate issued for all your recipes and that the ingredients have to be traceable, but will I also need some sort of insurance? And also, is it legal for me to make it in my own kitchen or would I have to have a business premises?
I can't afford to give up my full time job, so this would just be a part time thing, and what I'm really trying to establish is whether or not it's worth the effort, or if it will cost me more to set up than I would potentially make back. Any advice welcome x

geordie_joe

If you go to http://aromantic.co.uk/ and scroll to the bottom of the page you'll find pdf files of the EU regulations on Cosmetics. Might be some use.

sugar_pie

thanks for that, I had been looking at that site last week but somehow managed to miss that whole section! I'll take a look through later when I get a bit of peace and quiet

PlutoinCapricorn

https://www.businesslink.gov.uk is a good source of free advice, information and workshops.

You need to think about registration with HMRC, income tax and national insurance, other insurance - public liability and product liability might be what you need - marketing etc and they can help.

https://www.startacraftbusiness.co.uk might help too.

Jo_F

Try Ian Wallace (craftinsurance dot co dot uk) for specialist crafter's insurance, he does the public and produtc liability along with other things that you may need, if you give him a ring, then he can talk you through it, and he doesn't sell you what you don't need.

I have my public and product liability with him, and had to up it to £5m in a hurry and he did it and had the new certificate to me the next day, definately worth it for the £99 a year or so that my policy is.

Wishfairy2010

geordie_joe wrote: »

If you go to http://aromantic.co.uk/ and scroll to the bottom of the page you'll find pdf files of the EU regulations on Cosmetics. Might be some use.

Was going to say exactly the same! I had a small soap and candle business that I ran under my main business as a wedding planner and retailer. I'd advise you to look into wedding favours and ways to present small soaps as gifts as these were my biggest sellers and a good way to use up the dribbles you can be left wit. Ikea do heart shaped moulds that are really good and cheap - great for bath fizzies too

sugar_pie

Hi thanks for all the replies, these are definitely things I will look into. I'm already using the IKEA moulds, I have the star ones too. Wedding favours was actually something I was looking into, so good to know they sell, I know I'd much rather have a soap than a bag of sugared almonds!

sarahsoaps

hi - I don't know if anyone's interested but I found this site that has really helped me in my soap making endevour.
I spent ages trawling through sites but finally found this one with advice, guides, receipies, everything you need in one place.
Yes it cost me $9.95 about £6.50 but its about the same price of a book but with a 60day money back guarantee:
You can mail me direct at [EMAIL="crookster76@hotmail.com"]crookster76@hotmail.com[/EMAIL] for the link or more questions as I'm not allowed to put one here as a new member.
It definately helped me a great deal so give it a go or get your money back