CPNP Notification: How to Register Your Cosmetic Product in the EU

Before any cosmetic product can legally be placed on the European Union market, it must be notified through the Cosmetic Products Notification Portal (CPNP) — the EU’s centralized online notification system. The CPNP notification is a mandatory requirement under Article 13 of EU Regulation 1223/2009, and it must be completed before the product is made available to consumers. This guide explains exactly how the CPNP works, who is responsible for submitting notifications, what information is required, and the most common mistakes that delay or invalidate notifications.

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What Is the CPNP?

The Cosmetic Products Notification Portal (CPNP) is an online system managed by the European Commission that allows Responsible Persons to notify cosmetic products before placing them on the EU market. It replaced the previous national notification systems in 2013 when EU Regulation 1223/2009 came into force.

The CPNP serves two purposes:

1. Market surveillance: Competent authorities in EU member states use CPNP data to monitor the market and identify potentially unsafe products
2. Poison center information: Medical professionals and poison control centers can access formulation information in case of accidental exposure or adverse reactions

The CPNP is free to use. There are no fees for submitting notifications.

Expert note: “The CPNP is often the last step brands think about — they’ve completed their CPSR, finalized their label, and then discover they need EU portal access and a Responsible Person with an EU login. Building CPNP notification into your launch timeline from the start avoids last-minute delays.” — Nour Abochama, Quality & Regulatory Advisor, Care Europe

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Who Submits the CPNP Notification?

The Responsible Person (RP) is legally required to submit the CPNP notification. The RP is the legal entity established within the EU that takes responsibility for the product’s compliance with Regulation 1223/2009.

For EU-based manufacturers: The manufacturer is typically the RP and submits notifications directly.

For non-EU brands (US, Canadian, UK, etc.): You must either:

• Establish a legal entity in the EU and act as your own RP, OR
• Appoint an EU-based entity as your RP by written mandate

The RP must have an EU login (European Commission authentication system) to access the CPNP. Non-EU brands cannot submit CPNP notifications directly — they must work through an EU-based RP.

Care Europe provides Responsible Person services and CPNP notification management for non-EU brands entering the European market. Contact us to discuss your EU launch →

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What Information Is Required for a CPNP Notification

Article 13 of Regulation 1223/2009 specifies the information that must be submitted through the CPNP:

Mandatory Information

1. Product category Select from the CPNP’s standardized product category list (e.g., face cream, shampoo, lip gloss, sunscreen). The category affects which safety requirements apply.

2. Product name(s) The product name as it appears on the label, in all languages used across EU member states where the product will be sold.

3. Country of first placement on the market The EU member state where the product will first be made available to consumers.

4. Responsible Person details Name, address, and contact information of the EU-based Responsible Person.

5. Country of origin For products manufactured outside the EU, the country where the product was manufactured.

6. Frame formulation or full ingredient list Either a reference to a frame formulation (a standardized formulation category) or the complete ingredient list with concentrations. The full ingredient list with concentrations is required for poison center purposes — this information is confidential and not publicly accessible.

7. Original labeling A copy of the product label as it will appear on the market, including all required label elements.

8. Photo of the packaging A photograph of the finished product packaging.

Additional Information for Specific Products

Nanomaterials: Products containing nanomaterials require additional notification 6 months before market placement (separate from the standard CPNP notification), plus specific information about the nanomaterial’s identity, specifications, and safety data.

CMR substances: Products containing substances classified as Carcinogenic, Mutagenic, or Reprotoxic (CMR) in categories 1A, 1B, or 2 require additional documentation.

Products for children under 3 and products for intimate hygiene: These require specific safety considerations and may require additional documentation.

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How to Access the CPNP

Step 1: Create an EU Login Account

The CPNP is accessed through the European Commission’s EU Login authentication system. The Responsible Person (or their authorized representative) must create an EU Login account at ecas.ec.europa.eu.

Step 2: Request CPNP Access

After creating an EU Login, request access to the CPNP application through the portal. Access is granted to Responsible Persons and their authorized representatives.

Step 3: Complete the Notification

Log in to the CPNP at cpnp.ec.europa.eu and complete the notification form with all required information. The portal allows you to save drafts before final submission.

Step 4: Submit

Once all required information is entered and the notification is complete, submit it through the portal. You will receive a confirmation with a notification reference number.

Important: The notification must be submitted before the product is placed on the market — not after. Placing a product on the EU market without a CPNP notification is a violation of Regulation 1223/2009.

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Common CPNP Notification Mistakes

Submitting without a completed CPSR The CPNP notification and the CPSR are separate requirements, but both must be in place before market placement. Some brands rush to submit the CPNP notification before their CPSR is complete — this doesn’t satisfy the regulation. Both documents must exist before the product is sold.

Using the wrong product category The CPNP product category list is specific. Selecting the wrong category (e.g., classifying a leave-on face serum as a rinse-off product) can create compliance issues and may trigger queries from competent authorities.

Incomplete or inaccurate ingredient information The ingredient list submitted to the CPNP (for poison center purposes) must be complete and accurate, with concentrations. Submitting a partial list or using INCI names incorrectly are common errors.

Not updating the notification after formula changes If you change your product formula after submitting the CPNP notification, you must update the notification to reflect the new formula. Selling a product with a formula that doesn’t match the CPNP notification is a compliance violation.

Forgetting to notify in new member states If you expand distribution to new EU member states after your initial notification, you may need to update your CPNP notification to include the new countries and ensure your labeling meets their language requirements.

Non-EU brands submitting without an EU-based RP The CPNP system requires an EU Login, which requires an EU-based entity. Non-EU brands that try to submit notifications without an EU-based RP will be unable to complete the process.

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CPNP Notification for UK Market (Post-Brexit)

Since Brexit, Great Britain (England, Scotland, Wales) has its own separate notification system — the Submit Cosmetic Product Notification (SCPN) portal, managed by the Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS). Northern Ireland continues to follow EU rules and uses the CPNP.

Brands selling in both the EU and Great Britain need separate notifications in each system, separate Responsible Persons (one EU-based, one UK-based), and separate labels meeting each jurisdiction’s requirements.

For brands also selling in the USA, Qalitex provides ISO 17025 accredited cosmetic testing in California. For Canadian market compliance, Androxa handles Health Canada NHP and cosmetic requirements.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How long does a CPNP notification take?

The CPNP notification itself can be submitted in a few hours once all required information is assembled. The bottleneck is usually gathering the required information — particularly the CPSR (which can take 2–8 weeks) and the complete ingredient list with concentrations. If you have all information ready, the notification can be submitted and confirmed the same day.

Does a CPNP notification expire?

CPNP notifications don’t have an expiry date, but they must be kept current. If you change your formula, packaging, or labeling, you must update the notification. If you discontinue a product, you should update the CPNP to reflect that it’s no longer on the market.

Can I sell in all EU member states with one CPNP notification?

The CPNP notification covers the entire EU single market. However, your product label must meet the language requirements of each member state where you sell — which typically means multiple language versions of your label. The CPNP notification itself is submitted once for the EU market, not separately for each country.

What happens if I sell without a CPNP notification?

Selling a cosmetic in the EU without a CPNP notification is a violation of Regulation 1223/2009. Competent authorities in EU member states can order the product withdrawn from the market, require corrective action, and impose fines. The Responsible Person bears legal responsibility.

Can Care Europe handle the CPNP notification on my behalf?

Yes. As an EU-based Responsible Person, Care Europe can submit and manage CPNP notifications on behalf of non-EU brands. We also handle the full EU compliance package: CPSR preparation, Responsible Person services, CPNP notification, and ongoing compliance monitoring. Contact us to discuss your EU launch →

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The Bottom Line

The CPNP notification is a mandatory, non-negotiable step for any cosmetic product entering the EU market. It’s free, relatively straightforward once you have the required information assembled, and must be completed before your product is made available to consumers.

The most common delays come from not having the CPSR completed, not having EU portal access established, or not having an EU-based Responsible Person in place. Build these into your EU launch timeline — not as afterthoughts.

Launching a cosmetic in the EU? Care Europe provides Responsible Person services, CPSR preparation, and CPNP notification management for brands entering the European market. Get a free regulatory assessment →