What is a Product Information File?

If you manufacture and sell a cosmetic product, by law, you will need to compile a Product Information File (PIF) for each product. This should be available to view by any person in authority who requests it, for example a Trading Standards Officer.

A PIF should contain:

  • Product Description
  • Product formula including percentages, INCI names, and suppliers of ingredients
  • Raw material ingredient specifications and technical data sheets
  • Batch codes for ingredients
  • Summary of your manufacturing procedure
  • A safety assessment/certificate for your product
  • Undesirable health effects summary if applicable
  • Claim substantiation summary with references. This is proof that any claims you make about your product can be substantiated
  • Stability summary with reference to methods
  • Specification: viscosity, pH and other test data
  • Microbial challenge test records for products that contain water
  • An IFRA and/or RIFM compliance statements from the supplier for any fragrances or flavours in the product
  • Allergen declaration sheets for fragrances, flavours or botanical extracts
  • Batch codes for the finished product
  • Copy of artwork and labelling for the product