IMPORTING COSMETICS INTO EUROPE

A guide to the legal requirements for bringing cosmetic products into the EU market

Overview

Cosmetics are one of the most tightly regulated product categories in the European Union. Before any cosmetic product — from skincare to haircare to makeup — can be legally sold in the EU, it must meet the requirements of EU Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009 on cosmetic products, in addition to general product safety and labeling laws.

1. A Responsible Person Established in the EU

Every cosmetic product sold in the EU must have a "Responsible Person" based within the EU who takes legal responsibility for the product's compliance. If your brand or manufacturer is outside the EU, you'll need to appoint an EU-based Responsible Person before importing.

2. Cosmetic Product Safety Report (CPSR)

A CPSR is a mandatory safety assessment, prepared by a qualified safety assessor, confirming the product is safe for its intended use. This includes toxicological review of every ingredient.

3. CPNP Notification

Before the product can be placed on the market, it must be registered on the EU's Cosmetic Products Notification Portal (CPNP), including formula details, product category, and Responsible Person information.

4. Labeling Requirements

• Full ingredient list (INCI names) in descending order of concentration
• Responsible Person's name and EU address
• Batch/lot number and period-after-opening symbol where applicable
• Net quantity and any required warnings
• Information in the official language(s) of the country of sale

5. REACH Compliance

Ingredients used in cosmetics must also comply with REACH (Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals), which restricts or bans certain substances from use in consumer products sold in the EU.

Common Mistakes Importers Make

• Assuming a product legally sold in the US or UK automatically qualifies for the EU
• Missing the CPNP notification before the first sale
• Using labels that aren't translated into the required local language
• Not having an EU-based Responsible Person, which blocks Amazon EU listings entirely

How EdaGross Helps

As an established EU-based distributor, EdaGross works with brands and retailers to ensure cosmetic products entering our catalog are correctly documented and compliant, reducing risk for our downstream retail and marketplace partners.

Getting compliance right the first time is far cheaper than a product recall or a suspended listing.