Importing cosmetics from outside the EU – step by step. How to legally introduce a cosmetic product from Korea, the USA or the UK?
Homepage » Blog »Importing cosmetics from countries outside the European Union, such as Korea, the United States or Great Britain, entails the need to meet a number of legal requirements and formalities. Thanks to this, these products are safe and meet EU standards. Above all, a person responsible for the import process must be appointed. The next step is to conduct appropriate testing and register the cosmetics in the CPNP system. It is also important to prepare complete documentation related to the import and customs declarations. Additionally, products must be properly labelled and packaged in accordance with applicable regulations. Only then can they be legally introduced to the EU market.
Table of contents:
Legal requirements for importing cosmetics from outside the EU
Importing cosmetics from outside the European Union involves compliance with specific legal regulations. These are designed to ensure that products on the market are safe and of high quality. Every cosmetic, regardless of its country of origin, must meet the same standards as those produced in EU countries. These regulations concern the composition, which must comply with Annex I to Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009. Importers are obliged to designate a responsible person for the product based within the Union.
Additionally, the importer must carry out a safety assessment and draw up the corresponding report before placing the cosmetics on the market.
- cosmetic products must have undergone testing (e.g. substantiation of marketing claims) in accordance with the standards in force in the EU,
- it is also necessary to register the products in the Cosmetic Products Notification Portal (CPNP),
- Care must also be taken to ensure that cosmetics are properly labelled and packaged in accordance with applicable regulations,
- all these measures are designed to ensure that imported products are safe for consumers and meet EU standards.
Legal regulations and safety standards
Regulations on the import of cosmetics from outside the European Union play a vital role in protecting consumers' health. Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009 establishes common rules that must be met by all cosmetics available in the EU. Products originating from countries such as China, South Korea or the USA must comply with specific sanitary and safety standards.
Under these regulations, importers are obliged to assess the safety of each product and prepare an appropriate report. Additionally, cosmetic product notification in the CPNP system is necessary, which allows for their monitoring and quality control. Cosmetics must also be properly labelled and packaged in order to meet EU standards for labelling and packaging safety.
The aim of these regulations is not only to facilitate the functioning of the internal market, but also to ensure that consumers have access to safe, high-quality cosmetics.
The role of the person responsible
The person holding the role responsible for placing a cosmetic product on the European Union market plays an essential role in the import process. Anyone bringing cosmetics from the USA or outside the EU must appoint such a representative, as required by Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009. Such a person must be established within the European Union and their task is to ensure that the products comply with EU safety standards and are registered in the CPNP (Cosmetic Products Notification Portal).
- verifying that products meet all legal requirements, such as those concerning composition, labelling and packaging,
- registration of cosmetics in Poland and other EU countries,
- regulatory compliance monitoring.
The responsible person is a key element of the system, guaranteeing that the products being introduced are safe for consumers.
Formalities and documentation when importing cosmetics
Formalities related to import of cosmetics into the European Union are essential for the legal placement of these products on the market. Everything starts with the preparation of the necessary documents, such as the product specification, commercial invoice, and CPNP codes, which allow for the monitoring and quality control of cosmetics.
Next, a customs declaration is necessary, which is carried out at the appropriate customs offices. This declaration should be precise and compliant with applicable regulations to avoid delays or penalties. Sometimes a certificate of origin may be required, which is important when using preferential customs rates.
The import of cosmetics also requires the registration of each product in the CPNP system, which enables its traceability and ensures compliance with EU standards. Importers must ensure correct labelling and packaging of products, in accordance with the labelling requirements.
Customs agencies play an essential role in this process, supporting importers in preparing and submitting the necessary documents. Import documentation should be complete and contain all required elements to ensure procedures run smoothly and in accordance with the law.
Import documentation and customs declaration
Importers are required to prepare a full set of documents, including:
- specification of goods,
- commercial invoice,
- transport documents, such as a CMR consignment note.
It is also essential to register cosmetics in the CPNP system, which enables their quality to be monitored.
Customs declaration is a prerequisite for products to legally enter the EU market. Importers should submit the declaration to the appropriate customs offices, ensuring compliance with applicable regulations. Complete documentation makes it possible to avoid delays and potential penalties. A certificate of origin is sometimes required, which is essential for obtaining preferential duty rates, and this involves attaching sales and purchase invoices as well as a relevant declaration.
Customs agencies support importers in preparing and submitting documents, which is crucial for the smooth running of customs procedures. Additionally, proper labelling and packaging of cosmetics in accordance with labelling requirements is another essential obligation that must be met in order for products to be offered on the EU market.
Certificate of origin and CPNP codes
Certificates of origin and CPNP codes are crucial when importing cosmetics from outside the European Union. These documents indicate the country of production and are particularly useful if preferential customs duties are applied. Sales and purchase invoices and an appropriate declaration are essential for their preparation.
CPNP codes, or those from the Cosmetic Products Notification Portal, are essential for registering cosmetics in the European system. They enable the supervision and assessment of product quality. Before placing cosmetics on the market within the EU, their registration in CPNP is compulsory, which ensures compliance with safety standards. Importers are required to present these codes to the customs agency along with other documents, such as an invoice or packing list. This is an indispensable step for the legal introduction of cosmetics to the market.
Safety and labelling of cosmetic products
Safety and proper labelling of cosmetics are important issues that must be met for products to be placed on the European Union market. First of all, the labels of these products must comply with the regulations in force in the country where they are sold. For this reason, the information on the label should be given in the official language of the given country, which makes it easier for customers to familiarise themselves with the content.
Cosmetic labels contain detailed information regarding their composition. This is important for ensuring consumer transparency and health protection. Ingredients must comply with EU regulations, which specify which substances can be used and in what quantities.
Cosmetic packaging also plays an important role. It should meet biodegradability and recyclability requirements, which supports environmental protection. Every cosmetic product must also undergo a rigorous safety assessment carried out by a responsible person in the EU, which guarantees high safety standards.
Labelling must not only be legal, but also clear and understandable. Only then can consumers be confident that products are safe and meet their expectations in terms of quality and transparency.
Safety requirements and safety assessment
Cosmetic safety is based on detailed tests, such as microbiological tests, stability and mass-packaging compatibility and dermatological ones. Thanks to this, we can be certain that the products are free from dangerous microorganisms and do not cause allergic reactions. It is also checked whether the cosmetics contain allergenic substances and nanomaterials. It is crucial that these articles are safe for users under normal conditions of use. Importers must comply with EU regulations which ban animal testing in Europe. Compliance with these rules is essential for the protection of consumer health.
Labelling and packaging regulations
Labelling of cosmetics placed on the European Union market it must comply with the regulations in force in the country of sale. The labels should include such information as:
- manufacturer and person responsible for the product details,
- amount of content,
- use-by date,
- destiny,
- composition,
- all warnings and precautions.
For cosmetics imported from outside the Union, it is also necessary to state their country of origin.
Cosmetic packaging should comply with EU environmental standards, which means it must be biodegradable and recyclable. These regulations aim to reduce the negative impact on the environment and support sustainable development. In addition, quality control and inspections carried out by the Sanitary Inspection ensure compliance with applicable standards. Any irregularities detected during such inspections may result in the need to change labels or packaging, which highlights the importance of compliance with regulations.
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