Cosmetics Sandbox – Bioengineered Ingredients
This is OPSS' first Sandbox and is designed to support businesses developing innovative cosmetic ingredients using bioengineering approaches.
Cosmetics Sandbox: Bioengineered Ingredients
This is OPSS’ first sandbox and forms part of a wider Product Regulation Sandbox programme designed to support innovation while helping ensure products are safe for consumers.
Apply to join the Cosmetics Sandbox
Are you developing innovative cosmetic ingredients using bioengineering approaches?
The Cosmetics Sandbox: Bioengineered Ingredients offers businesses an opportunity to engage directly with OPSS on questions relating to the development and commercialisation of novel cosmetic ingredients. Participants will be able to discuss regulatory challenges, explore approaches to generating safety evidence and gain greater confidence in navigating regulatory requirements. Expressions of Interest are now being accepted from businesses that would benefit from focused regulatory engagement through the sandbox.
Why take part?
Businesses selected to participate in the sandbox will have the opportunity to:
- engage directly with OPSS regulatory and scientific experts
- discuss regulatory considerations relevant to their innovation
- explore approaches to generating and presenting safety evidence
- gain greater confidence in navigating existing regulatory requirements
- raise questions and challenges associated with bringing innovative products to market
The sandbox will also provide OPSS with valuable insight into the opportunities and challenges associated with innovative cosmetic ingredients, helping to inform future regulatory thinking.
Who should apply?
We are interested in hearing from businesses developing, manufacturing or using bioengineered cosmetic ingredients that have encountered regulatory questions, safety assessment challenges or uncertainty in applying the GB Cosmetics Regulation.
Successful applicants will be selected to participate in the sandbox and explore these challenges with OPSS regulatory and scientific experts.
What you should submit
Please provide a short description of:
Your organisation
- organisation type, size and maturity
- role within the cosmetics value chain
Your case study
- the ingredient, product or technology
- its intended use and stage of development
- the engineering biology approach being used and summary process flowchart including safety steps
- any regulatory questions, uncertainties or challenges encountered
- any relevant safety assessment considerations and summary safety data, including the use of New Approach Methodologies (NAMs), where applicable
- any previous engagement with other regulators (local or national)
- how participation in the sandbox could support your organisation
As a guide, Expressions of Interest should provide sufficient information for OPSS to understand the innovation, the regulatory questions being raised and how participation in the sandbox could support your organisation. This will typically be around 1,000 words, although supporting information such as technical summaries, safety dossiers or other relevant documentation are welcomed where available.
What happens next?
The Expression of Interest will be open until 4 December 2026.
Submissions will be reviewed by OPSS and used to identify case studies and topics for further exploration through the Cosmetics Sandbox.
OPSS aims to contact applicants within 3 months of the Expression of Interest closing date with an update on the outcome of their submission and any next steps.
How to respond
Please submit your Expression of Interest and any supporting information to OPSS.EngBio@businessandtrade.gov.uk.
This email address can also be used to ask questions about the Cosmetics Sandbox or to discuss whether participation may be suitable for your organisation.