What is the EU Cosmetics Responsible Person?

The Regulation in one paragraph

Every cosmetic product placed on the EU market must have a Responsible Person established in the Union (Article 4). The Responsible Person keeps a Product Information File (PIF) available to authorities, including a Cosmetic Product Safety Report (CPSR) prepared by a qualified safety assessor, ensures the product and its labelling comply with the Regulation, and notifies the product in the Cosmetic Products Notification Portal (CPNP) before it is placed on the market. For manufacturers established outside the EU, an importer becomes the Responsible Person by default unless a manufacturer's representative is appointed in writing to take on that role instead.

Who the Regulation applies to

What the Regulation requires

• A Cosmetic Product Safety Report (CPSR), prepared by a qualified safety assessor, before the product is placed on the market
• A Product Information File (PIF) kept available to authorities for 10 years from the last batch placed on the market
• CPNP notification by the Responsible Person before the product reaches EU consumers
• Labelling in the official language(s) required by each Member State where the product is sold, including the full INCI ingredient list
• An EU-established Responsible Person for products from manufacturers established outside the EU (Article 4)
• Reporting of serious undesirable effects to competent authorities

Cosmetics RP vs CE marking, and vs other EU regimes

Cosmetic products are not CE marked and are not covered by the General Product Safety Regulation, which explicitly excludes categories with their own sector-specific legislation (Article 2 GPSR). Borderline products - such as a shampoo or toothpaste marketed with a therapeutic claim - can tip into medicinal product or medical device regulation instead, which changes the entire compliance route. We confirm which regime applies before quoting representation.

Frequently asked questions

When did the EU Cosmetics Regulation come into force?

Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009 has applied since 11 July 2013, replacing the earlier Cosmetics Directive 76/768/EEC.

Does the Regulation apply to products sold via Amazon and other marketplaces?

Yes. Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009 applies to any cosmetic product placed on the EU market regardless of sales channel, and online marketplaces increasingly require Responsible Person details before a listing can go live in the EU.

Is the Cosmetics Responsible Person the same as CE marking?

No. Cosmetic products are not CE marked - CE marking applies to other product categories under separate EU legislation. The Cosmetics Regulation has its own, self-contained compliance regime built around the Responsible Person, the Product Information File and CPNP notification.

What is CPNP?

The Cosmetic Products Notification Portal (CPNP) is a free, EU-wide online notification system. A single CPNP notification submitted by the Responsible Person covers all 27 Member States - there is no need to notify separately in each country.

Do I need an EU Responsible Person because of this Regulation?

Only if no EU-established manufacturer, importer or distributor already takes on that role for your product. See Who needs a Responsible Person.

Note: This page provides general information, not legal advice. Specific obligations depend on your product and supply chain.