Every country regulates cosmetics through its own authority and process. For brand owners and sourcing teams, knowing who governs cosmetics in each market — and whether it uses notification or full registration — is essential before manufacturing or exporting. This guide maps the cosmetic regulatory authority for 20+ markets, with a link to each official body.
Most of Southeast Asia follows the ASEAN Cosmetic Directive (harmonised notification + ASEAN-CGMP), while the EU, USA, China and others run their own frameworks. Use this as a starting reference, then confirm current requirements with the official authority or a local regulatory partner.
Southeast Asia (ASEAN)
| Country | Authority | Approach | Official site |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brunei | MOH Ministry of Health (Medicines Control Authority) | ASEAN product notification | moh.gov.bn ↗ |
| Indonesia | BPOM National Agency of Drug and Food Control | Product notification (CPKB/GMP) | pom.go.id ↗ |
| Malaysia | NPRA National Pharmaceutical Regulatory Agency | Product notification | npra.gov.my ↗ |
| Philippines | FDA Food and Drug Administration | Cosmetic Product Notification (CPN) | fda.gov.ph ↗ |
| Singapore | HSA Health Sciences Authority | Product notification (no manufacturer licence) | hsa.gov.sg/cosmetic-products ↗ |
| Thailand | Thai FDA Food and Drug Administration | Product notification (ASEAN-GMP) | fda.moph.go.th ↗ |
| Vietnam | DAV Drug Administration of Vietnam (Ministry of Health) | Product notification (ASEAN-CGMP) | dav.gov.vn ↗ |
East Asia
| Country | Authority | Approach | Official site |
|---|---|---|---|
| China | NMPA National Medical Products Administration | Registration / filing (CSAR) | nmpa.gov.cn ↗ |
| Japan | MHLW Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (PMDA) | Notification; approval for quasi-drugs | mhlw.go.jp/english ↗ |
| South Korea | MFDS Ministry of Food and Drug Safety | Reporting / functional-cosmetic approval | mfds.go.kr/eng ↗ |
| Taiwan | TFDA Taiwan Food and Drug Administration | Product notification / registration | fda.gov.tw/eng ↗ |
South Asia
| Country | Authority | Approach | Official site |
|---|---|---|---|
| India | CDSCO Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation | Import registration | cdsco.gov.in ↗ |
North America
| Country | Authority | Approach | Official site |
|---|---|---|---|
| Canada | Health Canada Health Canada | Cosmetic Notification Form (within 10 days of sale) | canada.ca/en/health-canada.html ↗ |
| Mexico | COFEPRIS Federal Commission for Protection against Sanitary Risks | Notice / sanitary compliance | gob.mx/cofepris ↗ |
| United States | FDA Food and Drug Administration (MoCRA) | Facility registration + product listing | fda.gov/cosmetics ↗ |
Europe
| Country | Authority | Approach | Official site |
|---|---|---|---|
| European Union | CPNP Cosmetic Products Notification Portal (Reg. 1223/2009) | Portal notification + Responsible Person | health.ec.europa.eu/medicinal-products/cosmetics_en ↗ |
| Russia / EAEU | EEC Eurasian Economic Commission (TR CU 009/2011) | Declaration / state registration | eurasiancommission.org ↗ |
| United Kingdom | OPSS Office for Product Safety & Standards (SCPN) | Product notification (post-Brexit) | gov.uk/government/organisations/office-for-product-safety-and-standards ↗ |
Oceania
| Country | Authority | Approach | Official site |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia | AICIS Australian Industrial Chemicals Introduction Scheme | Importer/manufacturer registration | industrialchemicals.gov.au ↗ |
| New Zealand | EPA Environmental Protection Authority | Cosmetic Products Group Standard | epa.govt.nz ↗ |
Middle East
| Country | Authority | Approach | Official site |
|---|---|---|---|
| Saudi Arabia / GCC | SFDA Saudi Food and Drug Authority | Product notification (GHAD) | sfda.gov.sa/en ↗ |
| United Arab Emirates | MOHAP Ministry of Health & Prevention (ECAS/ESMA) | Registration + conformity (ECAS) | mohap.gov.ae/en ↗ |
South America
| Country | Authority | Approach | Official site |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brazil | ANVISA National Health Surveillance Agency | Notification (Grade 1) / registration (Grade 2) | gov.br/anvisa/pt-br ↗ |
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between cosmetic notification and registration?
Notification (used across ASEAN, the EU, UK and many markets) means you declare a compliant product to the authority before selling — there is no pre-market approval. Registration (e.g. China NMPA for certain products, India CDSCO import) involves a review and approval before the product can be sold. Registration is generally slower and more document-intensive.
Do I need to register separately in each country?
Yes. There is no single global cosmetic registration. ASEAN markets share a harmonised notification format (ASEAN Cosmetic Directive), which eases multi-country launches in the region, but you still notify per country. Other regions (EU, USA, China, etc.) each require their own process.
Which markets require Halal certification?
Halal is a strong commercial advantage (and increasingly expected) in Malaysia, Indonesia, Brunei and the Gulf. It is generally voluntary rather than a legal pre-market requirement, but check the specific market and retailer requirements.
What manufacturing standard do most authorities expect?
GMP — most commonly ISO 22716 (cosmetic GMP) or the regional ASEAN-CGMP. Reputable manufacturers hold or work to these standards, which also supports export documentation.
Last reviewed: 2026. This is a general reference, not legal advice. Cosmetic regulations change — always confirm current requirements directly with the official authority or a qualified local regulatory consultant before manufacturing or exporting. Compiled by the OEMHallmark research desk.