EU Responsible Person for Cosmetics
Sell your cosmetics in the EU without opening a European company. Care Europe can act as your Responsible Person under Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009, from France.
An EU Responsible Person is the EU-established legal or natural person who takes legal responsibility for a cosmetic product’s compliance under Article 4 of Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009. Every cosmetic sold in the EU must have one, and brands based outside the EU must appoint one in writing. Care Europe can act as your EU Responsible Person.
If your brand is based in the United States, Canada, the UK or anywhere outside the EU, you cannot place a cosmetic product on the EU market until an EU-established Responsible Person has accepted that role in writing. Their name and address go on every label, they hold your Product Information File, notify each product in the CPNP, and answer to EU authorities for your products. Care Europe takes on that role for brands entering Europe, and handles the compliance work that comes with it.
What an EU Responsible Person does
Under Articles 4 and 5 of Regulation 1223/2009, the Responsible Person ensures each product complies with the Regulation before it is placed on the market. In practice that means: keeping the Product Information File (PIF) available at the address on the label for ten years after the last batch is placed on the market; notifying each product in the Cosmetic Products Notification Portal (CPNP) before launch; checking labelling, claims and ingredient restrictions against the Annexes; reporting serious undesirable effects to the national authority; taking corrective action or recalling a product when needed; and cooperating with market surveillance authorities on request.
Who needs one
Every cosmetic product placed on the EU market needs a Responsible Person. An EU-based manufacturer is the Responsible Person by default. For products made outside the EU, the importer is the Responsible Person unless another EU-established person is designated by written mandate. Brands selling direct to EU consumers online, through Amazon EU or through distributors usually appoint a dedicated Responsible Person so they keep control of their files and notifications instead of leaving them with a distributor.
How we work as your Responsible Person
We start with a review of your formulas, labels, claims and existing safety documentation against Regulation 1223/2009 and its Annexes. Gaps are fixed before anything is notified: the Product Information File is completed, the cosmetic product safety report is coordinated with a qualified safety assessor, and labels are corrected to show the Responsible Person’s name and address. We then sign the written mandate, notify each product in the CPNP and hold the PIF for inspection. After launch we handle authority requests and serious undesirable effect reports, and review your files when formulas, labels or EU rules change.
Great Britain and Northern Ireland
Since Brexit, cosmetics sold in Great Britain need a UK-based Responsible Person and notification through the UK’s own Submit Cosmetic Product Notification (SCPN) service, separate from the EU CPNP. Northern Ireland follows the EU rules. If you plan to sell in both markets, tell us on the first call so the EU and UK files are prepared together.
Services & Methods Included
- ✓ Written Responsible Person mandate
- ✓ Name and EU address on your labels
- ✓ Product Information File (PIF) holding
- ✓ CPNP notification of each product
- ✓ Label, claims and INCI review
- ✓ Annex II–VI ingredient check
- ✓ Safety assessor coordination (CPSR)
- ✓ Serious undesirable effect reporting
- ✓ Authority and market surveillance requests
- ✓ Updates when formulas or EU rules change
Regulatory Standards & Compliance
- Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009
- Articles 4, 5, 11, 13, 19 & 23
- CPNP
- ISO 22716 (GMP)
- SCCS Notes of Guidance
Industries We Serve
- US & Canadian cosmetic brands
- Skincare & haircare brands
- Amazon EU & e-commerce sellers
- Private label brands
- Indie beauty brands
- Contract manufacturers
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Get a Free Assessment →Frequently Asked Questions
What is an EU Responsible Person for cosmetics?
The EU-established person or company that is legally responsible for a cosmetic product’s compliance with Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009. They hold the Product Information File, notify the product in the CPNP, appear on the label, and deal with EU authorities. Every cosmetic sold in the EU must have one.
Do I need an EU Responsible Person if my company is in the US?
Yes. A company established outside the EU cannot be the Responsible Person. You either rely on your EU importer, or appoint an EU-established Responsible Person by written mandate — which keeps your files and CPNP notifications under your control rather than a distributor’s.
Can my distributor be the Responsible Person?
Yes, an EU distributor or importer can take the role. Many brands prefer a dedicated Responsible Person instead, so that changing distributors does not mean re-notifying products or handing over their Product Information Files.
Whose name goes on the label?
The Responsible Person’s name and address must appear on the container and packaging of every product (Article 19). If Care Europe is your Responsible Person, our name and EU address go on your labels, so plan label updates before the EU launch.
Is an EU Responsible Person enough to sell in the UK?
No. Great Britain has required its own UK-based Responsible Person and SCPN notification since Brexit. Northern Ireland follows the EU rules.
Why brands choose Care Europe for eu responsible person for cosmetics
Registered in France
EU regulatory partner with legal standing
Bilingual EN/FR
Reports in English and French
NA–EU Bridge
We understand both regulatory worlds
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