EU Cosmetic Consulting

EU Cosmetic Product Registration

Since July 11, 2013, EU Regulation 1223/2009 has been in force, replacing the former Cosmetics Directive (76/768/EC). Its main goal is to guarantee a high level of protection for European consumers and facilitate the free movement of cosmetic products within the EU. Unlike the directive, which could only exert pressure on member states to apply it, the regulation is directly binding. This ensures that the 32 countries that have signed it must apply it uniformly, promoting consistency in EU cosmetics registration.

In January 2021, the UK officially left the European Union, relieving itself of the obligations imposed by the EU Regulation. However, even though the UK is no longer obligated to follow the EU Regulation, it still requires cosmetic products to undergo a positive Safety Assessment and possess a Product Information File (PIF), as was the case in the past. On this view only, the UK still follows the EU cosmetic product registration.

Europe, the strictest market in the world

As you may already know, to sell a cosmetic product in Europe, there are numerous requirements that must be fulfilled. The EU Regulation has established a comprehensive set of rules that demand expertise to ensure compliance. The process of EU cosmetics registration is renowned for being the strictest in the world. Since its implementation in 2013, many other countries worldwide have been inspired to adopt similar requirements based on the EU regulation for their own markets.

This is why having EU/UK-compliant products significantly eases the registration process in other markets, as many of them either follow the same rules or have less stringent requirements. This is true for countries such as the United States, Canada, Turkey, Georgia, Israel, Ukraine, and ASEAN countries. Thus, adhering to EU cosmetic product registration can facilitate cosmetics registration in various markets.

Europe, the strictest market in the world

As you may already know, to sell a cosmetic product in Europe, many boxes need to be ticked. The EU Regulation has established so many rules to follow that you have to be a real expert to meet all the requirements. The registration process in Europe has the reputation of being the strictest in the world and since 2013 it has inspired many other countries around the world to copy the requirements foreseen by the EU regulation to implement them in their own market. That’s why we say that when your products are EU/UK compliant, the process is considerably lighter when registering them on other markets, as many follow the same rules or are less demanding. That’s the case of the United States, Canada, Turkey, Georgia, Israel, Ukraine or ASEAN countries.

OUR REGISTRATION SERVICES

As a full-service solutions provider, we clear the path towards the safety and compliance of your cosmetics with our leading-edge PIF, Safety Assessment and Responsible Person services.

The registration process consists of 5 steps

The steps of the registration process

1.

The Formula Check

2.

The creation of CPSR

3.

The Label & Claims Check

4.

The CPNP/SCNP notification

STEP 1

Formula Checks

The first step of every registration process always begins by the full assessment of the formula of the product in order to confirm it meets the EU requirements.

During this step, our Safety Assessors will:

  • Check all documents related to the ingredient (MSDS/COA/Non-animal testing/IFRA, etc.)
  • Verify that the ingredients do not have restrictions established by European regulations and that the limits of use (if there are any) are in compliance.
  • Check that the ingredients used are suitable for cosmetics (cosmetic grade ingredients).
  • Check the toxicological profile of each ingredient
  • Verify if the ingredient contains any impurity 
  • Check the SCCS opinions, industry guidelines and other regulations (REACH, CLP)
  • Calculation of the MoS (Margin of Safety) for each ingredient and/or search for supporting documents (reliable literature) that declare each ingredient safe at the added dose in the finished product

After this step is completed, we are able to certify if your formula is EU/UK compliant or if you need to adapt anything to it so it meets the requirements.

STEP 2

Designing Safety Assessment, CPSR & Product Information File

After the formula has been assessed, the second step of the process is to ensure the finished product complies with all requirements. After having checked all the documents related to the ingredients and finished product (Part-A), our Safety Assessors perform the full Safety Assessment and sign the conclusion of the report (Part-B). Once the CPSR is complete, all documents are organized into a Product Information File (PIF).

STEP 3

Label & Claims Check

Here is the last part of the compliance check of a product: the label and claims check. During this step, our experts will advise on the elements to appear on your labels and will tell you which claims can be used for cosmetic use and how they need to be sustained. A full report is handed over to you so you can make the necessary updates on your artworks.

STEP 4

CPNP & SCNP notification

Once the full compliance of the product is certified, the product is ready to be notified on the official portals. As your Responsible Person in the EU, we notify your product on the CPNP, the Cosmetic Product Notification Portal. As your UK Responsible Person, we notify your product on the UK portal, the SCNP. 

STEP 5

EU & UK Responsible Person service

The final step of the process is to appoint a Responsible Person. This person needs to be located in one of the EU-27 to be responsible for your products in Europe and be located in the UK to be liable for your products in the UK. The Responsible Person service also includes cosmetovigilance to monitor any change in the ever-evolving regulation to ensure your products remain compliant at all times.

LONDON

office

Octagon Point, 5 Cheapside
London EC2V 6AA, UK

BRUSSELS

office

47 Boulevard, Saint Michel
1040 Brussels, BE

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