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What Certifications May Be Required for Skincare Products in Different Markets
There is no single global certification that allows one cosmetic product to be sold everywhere. Each market has its own rules, notification systems, labeling requirements, ingredient restrictions, and responsible party obligations.
In the United States, cosmetic companies need to consider MoCRA. The FDA explains that cosmetic manufacturers and processors must register their facilities and renew registration every two years. Product listing is also part of the current U.S. cosmetic regulatory system. For certain categories, such as sunscreens, the requirements may be stricter because sunscreens are regulated differently from ordinary cosmetics in the U.S.
In the European Union, the key requirements usually include an EU Responsible Person, cosmetic safety assessment, Product Information File, compliant labeling, and CPNP notification. The European Commission describes CPNP as the online notification system for cosmetic products under Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009.
In Great Britain, cosmetic products must be notified through the UK Submit Cosmetic Product Notification service. The UK government states that every cosmetic product placed on the GB market must have a Responsible Person.
In ASEAN markets, the ASEAN Cosmetic Directive helps harmonize cosmetic requirements across member countries, but businesses still need to follow the notification process in the specific country where the product will be sold. The ASEAN Cosmetics Association states that the company or person responsible for placing cosmetic products on the market must notify the regulatory authority in each member state before marketing the product.
For clinics and professional skincare buyers, this means that “Korean-made” is not enough. A product should be checked for the target market before import. The most common requirements may include product notification, Responsible Person, Certificate of Free Sale, Certificate of Manufacture, safety assessment, ingredient review, label translation, GMP-related documents, and importer registration.
The safest approach is to build the compliance process before the first commercial shipment. This helps avoid customs delays, rejected products, relabeling costs, and legal risks.
