Essential EU Certifications for Exporting Cosmetics — Explained Simply

🧠 What Is the EU Cosmetics Regulation?

The European Union regulates cosmetics under Regulation (EC) No. 1223/2009, designed to protect consumer safety. It applies to all cosmetics sold in the EU, whether made locally or imported.

📌 Full regulation text on EUR-Lex

🧪 CPSR (Cosmetic Product Safety Report)

What it is:

A mandatory safety assessment that must be prepared before any product enters the EU market.

What’s included:

• Part A: Ingredient info, toxicology, microbiology

• Part B: Expert safety conclusion

✅ Must be done by a certified professional
📁 Stored in the Product Information File (PIF)

📄 EU safety report guidance PDF

👤 The Responsible Person (RP)

What it is:

An EU-based legal representative responsible for ensuring product compliance.

Duties:

• Hold the PIF and CPSR

• Handle product recalls if needed

• Register products in the CPNP

• Respond to authorities

Tip: If you’re outside the EU, you can hire a regulatory consultant as your RP.

🖥️ CPNP: EU Product Notification Portal

What it is:

An online system where all cosmetic products must be registered before launch in the EU.

Required info:

• Product category

• Ingredient list (INCI format)

• RP details

• Country of origin

• Label image

📌 Access the CPNP portal

🏭 GMP Compliance (ISO 22716)

Why it matters:

Even though EU law doesn’t require a certificate, all cosmetic products must be manufactured in line with Good Manufacturing Practices.

Focus areas:

• Hygiene in production

• Staff training

• Record keeping

• Batch traceability

📌 ISO 22716 is the global GMP standard for cosmetics.

🧴 Labeling Requirements

What must appear on your product label:

• Brand and RP address

• Net weight or volume

• Ingredient list (INCI format)

• Country of origin

• Precautions and warnings

• Product function (if unclear from design)

📌 Claims like “anti-aging” must be scientifically proven under Regulation (EU) No. 655/2013

🐰 EU’s Animal Testing Ban

The EU bans:

• Animal testing of finished cosmetic products

• Animal-tested ingredients for cosmetics

• Use of animal data for product safety

Even if testing was done outside the EU, compliance with the ban is mandatory.

📌 Read more on ECHA

🧾 Real-Life Examples

🛠️ Step-by-Step Checklist for EU Market Access

1. ✅ Appoint an EU-based Responsible Person

2. ✅ Prepare the CPSR and Product Information File

3. ✅ Register the product on CPNP

4. ✅ Follow GMP practices (ISO 22716)

5. ✅ Verify labeling and claims

6. ✅ Ensure no animal testing was conducted