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Exporting private label cosmetics: Switzerland, UK, USA, Canada and Australia

Journal · Export · 9 min read

Exporting private label cosmetics: Switzerland, UK, USA, Canada and Australia

An EU-compliant product is not automatically ready for other markets. This guide shows which authority, which notification and which label rules await you in five important export markets.

In brief

Every market outside the EU has its own cosmetics law, its own responsible party and often its own notification.

An EU label rarely fits unchanged: languages, units, ingredient names and contact details differ.

Seda Pura gives no delivery guarantee for non-EU countries; every export request is checked individually.

Which rules apply when you export private label cosmetics?

The rules of the country of sale apply, not those of the country of production. In each market you need to know who is legally responsible, whether a notification or registration is required and which label requirements apply.

Export markets at a glance (simplified, check before shipping)
Market	Main rules	Notification or registration	Label
EU / EEA	Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009	CPNP, Responsible Person in the EU	Language of the member state
Switzerland	Food and Utility Articles Act, Ordinance on Cosmetic Products (VKos)	No CPNP; self-control by the Swiss distributor	At least one official language
Great Britain	UK Cosmetics Regulation	SCPN, UK Responsible Person	English
USA	FD&C Act, MoCRA 2022	Facility registration, product listing	English, US units
Canada	Food and Drugs Act, Cosmetic Regulations	Cosmetic Notification Form	English and French
Australia	Industrial Chemicals Act, Australian Consumer Law	AICIS business registration of the importer	English, ingredient labelling standard

The table is a starting point, not legal advice. Rules change; always check the official source before you ship.

EU and EEA: CPNP, Responsible Person and Regulation 1223/2009

Within the EU, every cosmetic product needs a Responsible Person established in the EU, a safety report, a Product Information File and a notification in the CPNP before it is placed on the market. Once notified, it can be sold in all member states.

Legal basis: Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009 (EUR-Lex). The notification is made in the Cosmetic Products Notification Portal. Member states may require certain label information in their own language. Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway apply the regulation through the EEA Agreement. Our guide to EU cosmetics rules explains the duties in detail.

Switzerland: Swiss cosmetics law and a Swiss contact

Switzerland is not part of the EU single market for cosmetics. Swiss rules are based on the Food and Utility Articles Act and the Ordinance on Cosmetic Products (VKos, SR 817.023.31), which is largely aligned with EU law. There is no CPNP notification, but the Swiss distributor has a duty of self-control.

Whoever places the product on the Swiss market, usually the importer, must ensure that it complies and that a product information file and safety assessment can be presented. Labels generally need the mandatory information in at least one official language (German, French or Italian). Service providers often offer the role of a so-called Swiss Responsible Person; whether a Swiss address on the label is required in your case should be checked with the importer before shipment. The legal texts are published on Fedlex (fedlex.admin.ch).

Switzerland abolished customs duties on most industrial products in 2024, but customs clearance and Swiss import VAT still apply.

UK: UK Cosmetics Regulation, UK Responsible Person and SCPN

For Great Britain, a Responsible Person established in the UK is required, and each product must be notified in the Submit Cosmetic Product Notifications service (SCPN) before sale. The UK Responsible Person’s address must appear on the label.

The UK took over the EU Cosmetics Regulation in 2021 as the UK Cosmetics Regulation; the lists of permitted and restricted ingredients can diverge from EU law over time. Official guidance: making cosmetic products available in Great Britain (GOV.UK) and submitting a cosmetic product notification (GOV.UK). Northern Ireland follows different rules.

Goods of EU origin can usually enter the UK without customs duties under the EU–UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement if the rules of origin are met. Customs declarations and UK import VAT still apply.

USA: what MoCRA means for private label cosmetics

The Modernization of Cosmetics Regulation Act of 2022 (MoCRA) introduced facility registration and product listing with the FDA, adverse event reporting and safety substantiation. The FDA does not approve cosmetics before sale, but colour additives must be FDA-approved.

Registration and listing: facilities that manufacture or process cosmetics for the US market, including foreign facilities, generally register; each product is listed (FDA registration and listing). Certain small businesses are exempt from some duties; check the FDA criteria.
Responsible person: the manufacturer, packer or distributor named on the label. The label must include a US contact (address, phone number or electronic contact) for adverse event reports.
Labelling: identity statement, net quantity in metric and US units and an ingredient declaration under US rules (21 CFR 701.3). Some ingredient names differ from EU INCI labels.
Drug or cosmetic: products such as sunscreens or anti-dandruff shampoos are regulated as over-the-counter drugs in the USA.

Sources: MoCRA overview (FDA), Cosmetics and U.S. law (FDA). Import duties and current tariffs must be checked at the time of shipment.

Canada: Cosmetic Notification Form, Hotlist and bilingual labels

Manufacturers and importers must notify Health Canada with a Cosmetic Notification Form within 10 days after the first sale in Canada. Ingredients are checked against the Cosmetic Ingredient Hotlist, and labels generally have to be in English and French.

The notification is not an approval and must be updated when the formula changes. The Cosmetic Ingredient Hotlist (canada.ca) lists prohibited and restricted ingredients. Canada amended its Cosmetic Regulations in 2024, including rules on disclosing fragrance allergens on the label; check the current version before printing. Overview: Health Canada: cosmetics and notification of cosmetics.

Australia: AICIS registration and ingredient labelling

In Australia, the business that imports cosmetics generally has to be registered with the Australian Industrial Chemicals Introduction Scheme (AICIS). Ingredient labelling follows a mandatory consumer goods information standard for cosmetics.

AICIS registers the importing business, not each individual product, and the ingredients have to be categorised; plant extracts and essential oils are usually treated as industrial chemicals too. Information: AICIS (industrialchemicals.gov.au). Ingredient labelling is governed by the Consumer Goods (Cosmetics) Information Standard under Australian Consumer Law. Products with therapeutic claims, such as many sunscreens, fall under the Therapeutic Goods Administration.

How does Seda Pura handle export requests?

Seda Pura works under EU law and gives no delivery guarantee for countries outside the EU. Every export request is checked individually: market, quantities, label requirements and who takes on the local responsible role.

For an export enquiry, please tell us the target country, sales channel, products and estimated quantities, and whether you already have an importer or a local Responsible Person. For EU markets, see our private label and wholesale pages. You can send your enquiry through the contact form.

Last updated: October 2026This page provides general information on cosmetics and trade practice. It is not legal, tax or medical advice.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Can an EU Responsible Person also act for the UK?

Not on its own. For Great Britain, the Responsible Person must be established in the UK. An EU company can appoint a UK service provider or a UK importer for this role.

Does the FDA approve cosmetics before they are sold?

No. Except for colour additives, cosmetics do not need FDA approval before sale. MoCRA duties such as registration, listing and safety substantiation still apply.

Do labels for Canada have to be in English and French?

As a rule, yes: the mandatory label information must appear in both official languages. There are a few exceptions; check the current rules before printing.

Does Switzerland require a CPNP notification?

No. The CPNP is an EU portal. Switzerland does not use it; the Swiss distributor must be able to show that the product complies with Swiss law.

Is Seda Pura an olive oil skincare company that exports to Australia?

Seda Pura is an olive oil based skincare brand from Andalusia. Australian requests are checked individually; there is no delivery guarantee, and the Australian importer usually needs an AICIS registration.

Can I use the same label for the EU, the UK and the USA?

Rarely. The Responsible Person’s address, ingredient names, units of measure and required warnings can differ, so many brands use separate labels per market.

Which countries does Seda Pura deliver to?

Deliveries within the EU can be arranged. Non-EU countries are possible on request; each request is checked individually and there is no general delivery guarantee.

All questions

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