Your EU Responsible Person for cosmetics under Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009

Exporting cosmetics from China to the EU

Chinese manufacturers supply a large share of the cosmetics sold online in the EU. To be sold legally, each product needs an EU-established Responsible Person, an EU safety assessment and a CPNP notification.

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EU Responsible Person required EU-format CPSR GMP (ISO 22716) evidence Animal testing data in the PIF

What Chinese exporters need

A Responsible Person established in the EU - either your EU importer or a person established in the EU designated as Responsible Person by written mandate
A Cosmetic Product Safety Report prepared under Annex I of Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009
A Product Information File, including a description of the manufacturing method and evidence of Good Manufacturing Practice
Data on any animal testing relating to the product or its ingredients, including tests carried out to meet the requirements of third countries
An EU-compliant label and a CPNP notification before the first sale

Documents to prepare early

Full formula with INCI names

Exact percentages, including fragrance composition from your perfume supplier.

Supplier specifications

Safety data sheets and certificates of analysis for each raw material.

GMP evidence

An ISO 22716 certificate or equivalent quality documentation for the factory.

Test reports

Stability, packaging compatibility and preservative efficacy tests.

Language of the documentation

The PIF must be in a language the competent authority of the Member State where it is kept can easily understand. Documents produced only in Chinese usually need translating - check which languages that authority accepts before ordering translations.

Selling through marketplaces

Most Chinese brands enter the EU through online marketplaces, which ask for the Responsible Person and CPNP details before a listing goes live. See selling cosmetics on Amazon EU and other marketplaces.

Frequently asked questions

Can a Chinese company be the EU Responsible Person?

No. The Responsible Person must be established in the EU. For imported products this is the EU importer, unless a person established in the EU is designated by written mandate to take on the role (Article 4(5)).

Is a Chinese cosmetics registration accepted in the EU?

No. The EU has its own requirements: a safety assessment under Annex I, a PIF and a CPNP notification by the Responsible Person.

Why does the PIF need animal testing data?

Article 11 requires the PIF to include data on any animal testing relating to the product or its ingredients, including testing carried out to meet the legislative requirements of third countries.

Check whether you need an EU Responsible Person

Tell us your product category and where your company is established. Before you sign a mandate, we tell you what the next step is.

Free eligibility check