Before a cosmetic product is placed on the EU market, the Responsible Person must electronically submit the required information through the CPNP.
Purpose of the CPNP
The Cosmetic Products Notification Portal is the European Commission’s centralised system. Submitted information is available to competent market-surveillance authorities and selected information to poison centres for medical treatment purposes.
Notification is not product approval. The Responsible Person must still ensure the safety assessment, PIF, GMP compliance, correct labelling and every other applicable requirement.
Information required before submission
The submission includes the product category and name, Responsible Person details, Member State of first placement, emergency contact, presence of certain substances, the frame formulation and legible images of the label and packaging.
Before entry, lock the product identity and check that the name, variants, Responsible Person and artwork correspond with the PIF and CPSR.
Practical checkpoint
Every conclusion should be linked to the exact formula, document and market-material version. This makes it possible to demonstrate which evidence supported the regulatory decision.
When notification must be completed
The CPNP notification must be complete before the product is placed on the market. Products containing nanomaterials may be subject to additional notification rules and timelines that need earlier planning.
Distributors have specific notification duties in certain circumstances, including where they translate label elements on their own initiative to comply with national requirements.
Updates and version control
Submitted information must be updated without unnecessary delay when it changes. This may include new artwork, formula, product name, contact information or Responsible Person details.
An internal register should connect the CPNP record with the exact formula, CPSR, PIF and artwork version. This prevents the portal from describing a product that is no longer being sold.
Common notification errors
Frequent errors include the wrong category, inconsistent product names, outdated label images, an incomplete frame formulation and submission before the safety assessment is finalised.
A checklist and independent final review are particularly useful for large portfolios, shade ranges and products marketed under multiple names.
Frequently asked questions
Is use of the CPNP subject to a fee?
The European Commission does not charge for using the portal. Professional preparation and management may be a separate service.
Does one notification cover the entire EU?
The CPNP is centralised for the EU, although separate national obligations may still need to be checked.
Can notification be made before the CPSR is complete?
All information must be consistent and the product must meet every requirement before being placed on the market; notification does not replace completed safety documentation.
Official sources and further reading
- European Commission — Cosmetic Product Notification Portal
- Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009 on cosmetic products
This article is for general information and does not replace an assessment of the specific product, formula and supply chain. Legislation and guidance may change after publication.