The European Union applies one of the most comprehensive regulatory frameworks for cosmetic products worldwide. Any company that plans to place cosmetic products on the EU market must complete a mandatory pre-market obligation known as the Cosmetic Product Notification process. Companies fulfill this requirement through a centralized digital system called the Cosmetic Product Notification Portal (CPNP). Brands that aim to enter the EU cosmetics market must understand how the CPNP operates to ensure lawful and efficient market access.

What Is the Cosmetic Product Notification Portal (CPNP)?

The Cosmetic Product Notification Portal functions as an online notification system under EU Cosmetic Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009. The system provides authorities with immediate access to essential product safety information while streamlining the market entry process for cosmetic products.

After a company successfully submits a notification through the CPNP, it can market the cosmetic product in all 27 EU Member States without completing additional national notifications. This centralized system significantly reduces administrative workload, especially for companies operating across multiple EU countries.

Key Features of the CPNP System

Companies must complete CPNP notification before placing any cosmetic product on the EU market. The portal serves as a single submission point and removes the need for separate national-level notifications.

The Responsible Person and authorized representatives access the system directly. Competent Authorities and Poison Control Centres also consult the portal, which enables rapid intervention when consumer safety concerns or medical emergencies arise.

The Responsible Person’s Role in CPNP Compliance

The Responsible Person bears full responsibility for submitting the CPNP notification. This role belongs to an EU-based manufacturer, the importer of the cosmetic product, or a legally appointed entity established within the EU.

The Responsible Person ensures full compliance with all requirements of the EU Cosmetic Regulation. This responsibility includes confirming that a qualified safety assessor has completed the Cosmetic Product Safety Report and maintaining a complete Product Information File.

The Product Information File contains detailed information on formulation, manufacturing processes that follow Good Manufacturing Practices, safety assessments, and supporting documentation. The Responsible Person must keep this file accessible to authorities for ten years after the product’s final placement on the EU market.

Companies should note that CPNP notification does not grant approval or authorization. Instead, the notification represents a formal declaration that the cosmetic product complies with EU legislation and is ready for market placement.

Information Required for a CPNP Notification

Companies must submit structured and detailed information when completing a CPNP notification. Required data includes the product name, cosmetic category, and physical form.

The notification must also include the Responsible Person’s name, address, and the location of the Product Information File. In addition, companies must provide contact details for a natural person available in urgent medical situations.

The submission requires the product’s qualitative and quantitative composition in the form of a frame formulation for medical treatment purposes. Companies must also upload images of the original packaging and a copy of the product label.

Regulators apply additional scrutiny to specific ingredients. Companies must clearly identify nanomaterials and describe foreseeable exposure conditions. They must also explicitly declare substances classified as carcinogenic, mutagenic, or toxic for reproduction under CMR categories 1A or 1B.

Leveraging SAAS Solutions for Efficient CPNP Compliance

Companies that manage large product portfolios or enter the EU cosmetics market for the first time often find manual CPNP notifications inefficient and prone to error. To address this challenge, many businesses adopt SAAS-based regulatory compliance platforms designed specifically for the cosmetics industry.

These platforms centralize Product Information File management and automatically check raw material compositions against EU regulatory annexes. Many systems also allow bulk CPNP notifications, which significantly reduce administrative effort.

In addition, SAAS compliance solutions monitor regulatory developments and alert Responsible Persons to relevant legislative changes. By consolidating compliance activities into a single digital environment, companies improve accuracy, shorten time-to-market, and maintain ongoing compliance with EU cosmetic regulations.

Conclusion: Ensuring Compliant Access to the EU Cosmetics Market

Companies must manage the Cosmetic Product Notification process effectively to place cosmetic products on the EU market. Experienced regulatory professionals and digital compliance tools help businesses submit accurate CPNP notifications and maintain long-term regulatory compliance.

Need help with CPNP notification? Ensure your cosmetic products are correctly notified before placing them on the EU market. Get Your Cosmetic Products Notified via our CPNP Notification Service.