Product compliance · CPSR + CPNP + MoCRA
Cosmetics and personal care
Safety assessment, INCI ingredient list, CPNP notification in the EU, SCPN in the UK and MoCRA in the US.
Key facts
| EU route | Cosmetics Regulation 1223/2009, CPNP notification, responsible person |
|---|---|
| UK route | SCPN notification and a UK responsible person |
| US route | FDA labelling; MoCRA registration and listing |
| Core documents | Safety report, INCI ingredient list, stability data |
| Claims | Must be substantiated; medicinal claims can change the regime |
| Recurring | Responsible person; notification maintenance |
| Typical one-off budget | USD 500–4,000 per product line |
| Last verified | 2026-10-17 |
The safety report is the centre of the file
In the EU, a cosmetic needs a product safety report prepared by a qualified safety assessor before it is placed on the market, and the product is notified through CPNP. The report addresses the formulation, the raw materials, the packaging and the intended use, and it is not the same as a generic ingredient certificate.
Fragrance allergens, preservatives and UV filters are the usual pressure points. A formulation that is compliant in one market may exceed a limit or require a different warning in another, so the recipe and the label have to be reviewed together.
A therapeutic claim changes the regulator
Words on the pack decide the category. A cosmetic that claims to treat acne or repair a medical condition can be reclassified as a drug or a therapeutic good, which brings a different approval route and timeline. The same base formula can therefore have two regulatory lives depending on the claim.
Keep the claim substantiation with the file. Authorities and platforms ask for the evidence behind the wording, not only the safety data.
Frequently asked questions
Can I sell the same cosmetic in the EU and US?
Often yes, but the label, the notification and the claim review differ. The EU requires CPNP and a responsible person; the US requires FDA-compliant labelling and MoCRA registration and listing.
Is animal testing still an issue in the EU?
The EU bans animal testing for cosmetic products and ingredients, with limited exceptions and ongoing interpretation. Confirm the current position for the specific ingredient and market.
Do I need a new safety report for a new shade?
A shade change can be a formulation change. It should be assessed rather than assumed to be covered by the existing report.
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