Selling Soaps, cards and candles

Chazolate

Hi,
I am looking to start-up a small part-time business, whilst I am studying beauty at college. I would like to make and sell my own candles, cards and soaps and then go on to add bath and body products.
At the moment I am looking into making soaps, candles and cards at home and selling them via the internet, friends and family and on small stalls, such as car boot sales. I am fairly clear on how to handle the financial side of things. What I would like more information about is the legal requirements for making and selling, especially for soaps and candles. Will I need to get them tested? What certificates will I need? Who will I need to inform? And will I need to list the ingredients ect.
Any advice would be much appreciated.:)

NeverInDebt

I seem to recall lots of help in this forum for that type of thing

Special Occasions & Celebrations

Good luck

Chazolate

Thank you I will have a look through. There seems to be lots of information around on how to make things, but not so much on the safety and legality on selling them. I am wondering if I need to book myself on a course.

kaz39tyas

Hi.
I've actually spent a little time looking into a similar idea to you, ie. selling homemade beauty products. Unfortunately there is quite a lot of health and safety stuff to take into account. There are strict rules on labelling and safety testing of both ingredients and end products. You would need public liability/product insurance too in case there is a problem with a product or packaging. However there are companies and courses who can help you work through all the legal stuff. I seem to remember that there's a "Soap school" in Huddersfield that does courses - I'm sure there are lots of others too. Some suppliers of ingredients can help with safety assessments. It is a bit of a minefield and I haven't yet been brave enough to give it a go myself! But I wish you the very best of luck if you decide to try it!
I'd love to hear from anyone who has made money from such ventures - it might just inspire us all to have a go!