Selling cosmetics in the EU — CPNP, PIF, Responsible Person
Cosmetics have their own EU regulation (1223/2009) with a Responsible Person, pre-market CPNP notification, a Product Information File, an animal-testing ban, and INCI labelling — all on top of GPSR. This page covers the full stack.
The cosmetics regime is one of the most complete in the world: every product needs a safety assessment, a notified portal entry, and an EU-established Responsible Person before it touches a consumer.
The questions
Which rules apply to cosmetics sold in the EU?
Regulation (EC) 1223/2009 — a single, directly applicable EU regulation with its own Responsible Person concept, pre-market notification (CPNP), and a Product Information File. GPSR sits on top as the general safety net for consumer products.
Source: Regulation (EC) 1223/2009; Regulation (EU) 2023/988. Checked: 4 September 2026.
Does a cosmetics Responsible Person differ from a GPSR one?
Yes — the cosmetics regulation (Article 4) requires its own Responsible Person: designated by the manufacturer or importer, established in the EU, named on the label, and responsible for the Product Information File and CPNP notification. The GPSR Responsible Person is a separate, general-safety role. In practice one EU entity often carries both, but the duties and paperwork are distinct.
Source: Regulation (EC) 1223/2009, Article 4; Regulation (EU) 2023/988, Article 16. Checked: 4 September 2026.
What is CPNP notification?
The Cosmetic Products Notification Portal: every cosmetic product must be notified to the European Commission before being placed on the market. The notification includes the product name, category, Responsible Person details, frame formulation, and label images. Without CPNP notification, the product cannot legally be sold.
Source: Regulation (EC) 1223/2009, Article 13. Checked: 4 September 2026.
What is a Product Information File (PIF)?
A dossier held by the Responsible Person containing: product description, safety assessment signed by a qualified assessor, proof of claimed effects, manufacturing method, and safety data on ingredients. It must be accessible to authorities for ten years after the last batch. This is the document market surveillance asks for first.
Source: Regulation (EC) 1223/2009, Article 11. Checked: 4 September 2026.
Does my product need animal testing?
Animal testing for cosmetics is banned in the EU — both the finished product and the ingredients. The testing ban applies since 2009, with the full marketing ban since 2013: products tested on animals anywhere in the world cannot be sold in the EU. This is the reason many non-EU brands reformulate specifically for the European market.
Source: Regulation (EC) 1223/2009, Articles 18 (testing ban) and 4 (marketing ban). Checked: 4 September 2026.
What must be on a cosmetics label?
The name and address of the Responsible Person in the EU, the nominal content, the period-after-opening symbol or best-before date, precautions, batch number, function of the product, and the ingredient list (INCI names, descending order). All in the language of each country where sold.
Source: Regulation (EC) 1223/2009, Article 19. Checked: 4 September 2026.
What does cosmetics compliance cost?
Responsible Person service for cosmetics: €500–€1,500 per year (higher than general consumer products because of PIF maintenance and CPNP). Safety assessment (CPSR): €500–€2,000 per product. Formulation review: €200–€500. Budget €2,000–€5,000 for the first cosmetic product.
Who can do this for me?
Source: Editorial list, checked 4 September 2026.