This hub is a decision map for SME brands selling into the EU/EEA. It is not a substitute for the Official Journal text, a Cosmetic Product Safety Report, or Member State enforcement practice.
EU Cosmetic Regulation for SMEs
EU cosmetics are placed on the market under Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009: a Responsible Person in the Union, a safety assessment, CPNP notification, and labels/ingredients that match the annexes.
Who should care
SME brands, importers, and Responsible Persons selling into the EU/EEA (and often Northern Ireland via the Windsor framework). Not a replacement for CPSR sign-off or national language rules.
Official sources
SME: first 5 things
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1
Appoint a Responsible Person
Someone established in the EU must take legal responsibility before products are placed on the market.
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2
Hold a living CPSR / PIF
Safety assessment must exist and stay current after formula, impurity, or claim changes.
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3
Notify via CPNP
Complete notification before first placing on the market.
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4
Read annexes as living law
Fragrance allergens, CMR omnibus, and concentration limits change by Commission regulation — not by rumour.
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5
Watch 2026–2028 label cutovers
31 July 2026 is the placing-on-the-market date for expanded fragrance allergen labeling; sell-through runs to 31 July 2028.
Obligation map
| Topic | SME note | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Responsible Person | Union-established RP and PIF duties | Official |
| Notification | CPNP before placing on the market | — |
| Labeling | INCI, language, allergen disclosure | Official |
| Claims | Common criteria; avoid medicinal positioning | Official |
| Ingredients | Annex II/III and CMR alignment | Official |
Common pitfalls
- Treating “natural” or “clean” as a legal exemption
- Placing on the market before CPNP is complete
- Ignoring Member State language rules on the outer pack
- Confusing SCCS opinions with already-binding annex text
- Missing the 31 July 2026 allergen placing-on-the-market cut
More context
What this page covers
Orientation for SME decision-makers. Confirm dates and annex entries in EUR-Lex. Great Britain is a separate regime.
Recent regulatory updates
All news- SCCS Opinion on Benzophenone-1 (CAS No. 131-56-6, EC No. 205-029-4) August 25, 2026
- SCCS Opinion on the safety of Acetophenone (CAS No. 98-86-2, EC No. 202-708-7) August 25, 2026
- SCCS Scientific Advice on Silver used in cosmetic products (CAS/EC No. 7440-22-4/231-131-3) August 25, 2026
- SCCS Scientific Advice on Butylated Hydroxyanisole (BHA) August 25, 2026
- Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council on Cosmetic Products (Consolidated Version) August 25, 2026
- SCCS Opinion on the Safety of Heliotropin Used in Cosmetic Products (CAS No. 120-57-0, EC No. 204-409-7) August 25, 2026
- SCCS Scientific Advice on Hair Dye ‘Basic Brown 16’ (C009) (CAS No. 26381-41-9, EC No. 247-640-9) Submission V ter August 25, 2026
- SCCS Scientific Advice on Hair Dye ‘Basic Blue 99’ (C059) (CAS No. 68123-13-7, EC No. 268-544-3) – Submissions IV & V August 25, 2026
Related Insights
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Always confirm requirements against official publications before decisions.