Notification is NOT Certification

One of the most common misconceptions in the cosmetics industry is that a successful CPNP notification means a cosmetic product has been “approved” or “certified” by the authorities.

It does not.

The Cosmetic Products Notification Portal (CPNP) is an electronic notification system established under the European Commission’s EU Cosmetics Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009. Before placing a cosmetic product on the EU market, the Responsible Person (RP) must submit specific information through the portal. This enables market surveillance authorities, poison centers, and healthcare professionals to access relevant product information when needed.

CPNP notification is the FINAL administrative step before a cosmetic product is placed on the EU market. By that stage, the product should already have:

• a formulation that complies with the Cosmetics Regulation
• a completed Cosmetic Product Safety Report (CPSR) prepared and signed by a qualified safety assessor,
• compliant product labeling, and
• a complete Product Information File (PIF).

The CPNP does not review or approve any of these documents. Responsibility for ensuring compliance remains with the RP.