Private Label - Frequently Asked Questions
The following addresses the most common professional enquiries regarding Hera Beauty's “packaged and labelled” or private label service, which enables brands to bring pre-approved, market-ready formulations to market under their own identity with a minimum order of 1,000 units.
Q: What distinguishes private label from bespoke product development?
Private label enables clients to select from a range of formulations that have already been developed, tested, and regulatory-approved by Hera Beauty's in-house team. The formulation itself is not created from scratch; instead, it is customised through the addition of approved extracts and fragrances, and presented under your brand's packaging and identity. This route offers substantially shorter lead times and lower entry costs compared to a bespoke development project.
Q: What is the minimum order quantity?
The minimum order quantity for private label products is 1,000 units per SKU. This represents one of the more accessible entry points in the UK contract manufacturing sector, making the service appropriate for emerging brands, range extensions, and market-testing scenarios, as well as established brands seeking efficient volume production.
Q: What product categories are available?
Hera Beauty's private label portfolio encompasses face care (including cleansers, toners, moisturisers, serums, masks, and exfoliators), hair care shampoos, conditioners, oils, and mists), body care (lotions, butters, scrubs, bath and shower products, massage, and treatment creams), and wellness products (body oils, pillow mists, pulse point rollerballs, and overnight masks). A dedicated sales team can provide category-specific recommendations aligned to your brand positioning.
Q: Are the formulations compliant with UK and EU regulations?
Yes. All private label formulations in the Hera Beauty portfolio have been pre-approved in line with UK Cosmetics Regulation (retained from EU Regulation EC No 1223/2009) and EU Cosmetics Regulation. Each formulation has a completed Cosmetic Product Safety Report (CPSR) and has undergone stability and preservative efficacy testing prior to inclusion in the portfolio. Clients do not need to commission separate regulatory documentation for standard private label orders.
Q: Can I customise a base formulation?
Yes, within defined parameters. Clients may select up to three natural extract ingredients from Hera Beauty's approved range to incorporate into any base formulation - a process that does not require additional safety testing.
Fragrance customisation is also available: while standard formulations are supplied unfragranced, clients may select from a curated range of fragrance oils and essential oil blends, all of which are compliant with IFRA regulations and carry full allergen and INCI documentation.
Q: Who manages packaging selection and sourcing?
Hera Beauty provides comprehensive packaging support. Your account manager can source primary packaging, labels, and cartons on your behalf, drawing on an established network of packaging suppliers. An in-house designer is available to assist with label and carton artwork development. Note that brand logos must be provided by the client at the point of order; Hera Beauty does not provide logo design services.
Q: What are typical lead times for private label production?
Subject to raw material availability, lead times for private label production are typically 8 to 10 weeks from order confirmation. This timeline encompasses raw material procurement, production, filling, labelling, and quality control release.
Clients should factor in additional time for artwork approval, particularly where label or carton design iterations are required.
Q: Where are products manufactured?
All private label products are manufactured at Hera Beauty's GMP-certified facility in Peterborough, Cambridgeshire, UK. Production is carried out under the same quality management system applied to bespoke development and contract manufacturing projects.
Q: Can private label products be sold in both the UK and EU?
Yes, provided the appropriate cosmetic notification has been completed. UK products require notification via the UK's Submit Cosmetic Product Notification (SCPN) system; EU market access requires notification via the Cosmetic Products Notification Portal (CPNP). Hera Beauty's regulatory team can advise on both notification pathways as part of the private label process.
Q: Is private label suitable for a brand launching its first product?
Private label is frequently the most appropriate route for new market entrants. The combination of pre-approved formulations, regulatory compliance, lower MOQs, and account management support significantly reduces the barriers to launch. Hera Beauty has worked with numerous start-up brands across skincare, haircare, and wellness categories, and understands the particular requirements of early-stage product commercialisation.
