Indicative Timeline
Every project is unique and success is far more likely with open collaboration. Our experienced team will guide you at all stages, providing expert knowledge on what we know best and advising on other essentials you need to consider to deliver your final product. Requirements are different for each of our customers but the below gives an overview of the key stages and approximate timings that we would allow to achieve maximum results.
|Concept
Pre-process Stage: Customer-preparation
At this point we can only give you advice – we are product formulators, not branding experts. We can point out pitfalls and will certainly run a critique on your ideas if asked.
A successful new product only attains success if it meets consumers’ needs; therefore key marketing questions need to be addressed before the brief can be complete. The single most important question isn’t “do you like the product?” it is “will the consumer like the product?” If they don’t then satisfying consumers’ needs is impossible. Pricing expectations, packaging requirements, channels of distribution, sales resources and promotional plans are some of the other issues to resolve in principle at this time.
|Fragrance
Pre-process Stage: Customer-preparation
We do not create fragrances, but will put you in touch with some of the most creative fragrance houses in the country.
Fragrance is a key ingredient that can alter appearance and stability which is why it needs to be an integral part of the development, not just an afterthought.
|Pack Sourcing
Pre-process Stage: Customer-preparation
We can help with sourcing your packaging and will advise on whether it is suitable for the proposed product.
Packaging can be a source of immense frustration. Please make sure you are aware of lead times and we suggest always establishing its origin; some countries such as Italy, France and the UK are renowned for consistent clean quality packaging.
Weeks 1 - 12|Development
12 weeks Stage: Development
We take your brief, establish and source the raw materials that should be used, then create samples for your approval. We will work with you closely and invite you to come to the laboratory and spend time with your development chemist at the benches.
The whole process can be accelerated if you respond quickly and informatively. Ensuring all feedback is clearly communicated both verbally and in writing makes the process smoother and swifter.
Week 13|Final Approval
1 week Stage: Approval
Once you are confident the product fulfils expectations you must sign and return the submission form as nothing can progress without this. This will then start the testing process.
Remember you cannot please all of the people all of the time. Keep focused on your target market.
Weeks 14 - 26|Stability Testing
12 weeks Stage: Testing
The tests stress the product’s stability at a variety of temperatures, both stable and fluctuating, which in turn determine the product’s shelf life. This test is conducted internally.
Because each product we create is unique, often using new raw materials, the testing can highlight unseen weaknesses.
Weeks 14 - 19|Challenge Testing
5 weeks Stage: Testing
This tests the product’s ability to prevent the growth of bacteria, fungi, moulds and yeasts, all of which could be detrimental to both product and human health. It is arguably the most important part of the development process. This test is conducted by an independent laboratory.
The aim is to keep preservatives to a minimum and safety to a maximum. However, every product is unique, consequently from time to time they fail the challenge tests and need to be resubmitted with revised preservative levels.
Weeks 18 - 30|Compatibility Testing
12 weeks Stage: Testing
This work is carried out in house and tests the compatibility between pack and product.
25|Place Order
1 week Stage: Production
We will keep you updated through regular reports on testing, and as soon as we are confident that the product is OK we will advise you so you can place an order. We will also provide an ingredient list to enable pack design to be completed.
Once you have placed an order with us you must do the same for packaging and printing.
Weeks 29-30|Safety Assessment and PIP
2 weeks Stage: Testing
We collate all the information that is legally required for every cosmetic product and pass it to an independent assessor checks who will verify the information. This will then go towards the PIP which needs to be registered and uploaded to the Cosmetic Product Notification Portal (CPNP).
The assessment, PIP and registration on the CPNP are legal requirements.
Week 33|Manufacturing
1 week Stage: Production
This is only an approximation of the time it will take to manufacture the product. Much will depend on the size of the order and complexity of formulation
Week 34|TVC
1 week Stage: Production
The completed batch is sent for microanalysis to ensure it is bacteria free.
Week 35|Filling
1 week Stage: Production
The true length of filling is dictated by the size of order, but if time is tight we can dispatch one day’s worth to start filling the pipeline.
You may come down to watch the filling and sign off the standard. You will need to allow a whole day for this as first runs can be notoriously frustrating, but being on site can save a lot of time.
Week 35|Despatch
1 day Stage: Production
We will organise despatch, please ensure we receive specific instructions that are clear and concise.
Indicative Timeline
Open collaboration and lines of communication lie at the heart of any successful development project. The below gives an overview of the key stages and approximate timings that we would allow to achieve maximum results.
|Concept
Pre-process Stage: Customer-preparation
At this point we can only give you advice – we are product formulators, not branding experts. We can point out pitfalls and will certainly run a critique on your ideas if asked.
A successful new product only attains success if it meets consumers’ needs; therefore key marketing questions need to be addressed before the brief can be complete. The single most important question isn’t “do you like the product?” it is “will the consumer like the product?” If they don’t then satisfying consumers’ needs is impossible. Pricing expectations, packaging requirements, channels of distribution, sales resources and promotional plans are some of the other issues to resolve in principle at this time.
Weeks 1 - 12|Development
12 weeks Stage: Development
We take your brief, establish and source the raw materials that should be used, then create samples for your approval. We will work with you closely and invite you to come to the laboratory and spend time with your development chemist at the benches.
The whole process can be accelerated if you respond quickly and informatively. Ensuring all feedback is clearly communicated both verbally and in writing makes the process smoother and swifter.
Weeks 14-26|Stability Testing
12 weeks Stage: Testing
The tests stress the product’s stability at a variety of temperatures, both stable and fluctuating, which in turn determine the product’s shelf life. This test is conducted internally.
Because each product we create is unique, often using new raw materials, the testing can highlight unseen weaknesses.
Weeks 14-19|Challenge Testing
12 weeks Stage: Testing
This tests the product’s ability to prevent the growth of bacteria, fungi, moulds and yeasts, all of which could be detrimental to both product and human health. It is arguably the most important part of the development process. This test is conducted by an independent laboratory.
The aim is to keep preservatives to a minimum and safety to a maximum. However, every product is unique, consequently from time to time they fail the challenge tests and need to be resubmitted with revised preservative levels.
Weeks 18-30|Compatibility Testing
12 weeks Stage: Testing
This work is carried out in house and tests the compatibility between pack and product.
Week 25|Place Order
1 week Stage: Production
We will keep you updated through regular reports on testing, and as soon as we are confident that the product is OK we will advise you so you can place an order. We will also provide an ingredient list to enable pack design to be completed.
Once you have placed an order with us you must do the same for packaging and printing.
Weeks 29 - 30|Safety assessment and PIP preparation
2 weeks Stage: Testing
We collate all the information that is legally required for every cosmetic product and pass it to an independent assessor checks who will verify the information. This will then go towards the PIP which needs to be registered and uploaded to the Cosmetic Product Notification Portal (CPNP).
The assessment, PIP and registration on the CPNP are legal requirements.