What CPNP is
CPNP is the electronic notification portal used for cosmetic products placed on the EU market. The Responsible Person submits product information before placing the cosmetic on the market. Authorities and poison centres can then access relevant information for market surveillance and medical treatment purposes.
Notification does not mean the European Commission has approved your product. It means required information has been submitted. The product still needs to comply with cosmetic safety, ingredients, claims, labelling, Responsible Person and product information file requirements.
- CPNP is for EU cosmetic notification.
- It is submitted before placing on the EU market.
- It is not a product approval certificate.
Who submits the notification
The EU Responsible Person normally submits the CPNP notification. For a brand established outside the EU, this is one reason the Responsible Person arrangement must be in place before launch. A distributor may have separate notification duties in specific relabelling or translation situations.
If you are an indie maker selling through a marketplace, do not assume the platform has notified your product. Ask who is the Responsible Person, who holds the product information file, and who submitted the CPNP notification for the exact product and formula.
Information you need before starting
Article 13 of the EU cosmetics regulation lists the core notification information. It includes the category and product name, Responsible Person name and address where the PIF is accessible, country of origin for imports, Member State where the product is placed on the market, contact details for a physical person, nanomaterial information where relevant, certain CMR substance information where relevant, and a frame formulation.
When the product is placed on the market, the Responsible Person also notifies the original labelling and, where reasonably legible, a photograph of the packaging. That means artwork should be close to final before the notification process is closed out.
What a frame formulation is
A frame formulation gives enough composition information to support prompt and appropriate medical treatment if there is a problem. It is not the same thing as publishing your exact recipe to customers, but it must be accurate enough for the notification purpose.
Your safety assessor or Responsible Person will often guide the frame formulation selection or composition entry. Do not guess the category or leave out important ingredient classes. A body butter, soap, lip balm and serum may need different notification handling.
CPNP versus UK SCPN
CPNP is not the notification route for Great Britain. GB cosmetics use the UK Submit Cosmetic Product Notifications service, with a UK Responsible Person. Northern Ireland can involve EU-aligned requirements, so brands selling across the UK and EU need to map each market separately.
This matters for labels too. An EU label needs EU Responsible Person details. A GB label needs UK Responsible Person details. Trying to force one label to cover all markets can create address and notification confusion unless it is designed carefully.
A practical maker checklist
Before CPNP, finish the formula, obtain supplier documents, complete safety assessment, confirm the Responsible Person, prepare the product information file, finalise label text, and decide the Member State where the product is first placed on the market. Then submit notification through the Responsible Person route.
After launch, update the notification when relevant information changes. A formula change, product name change, new packaging, updated label or Responsible Person change can affect the notification and the label. Keep a dated record of each notification version.
Frequently asked questions
Can I submit CPNP myself?
The EU Responsible Person normally submits it. If you are outside the EU, you usually need an EU-established Responsible Person or importer arrangement.
Does CPNP approve my cosmetic?
No. CPNP is a notification portal, not an approval system. Compliance still depends on the formula, safety report, PIF, label and claims.
Do I need CPNP for Great Britain?
No. Great Britain uses the UK Submit Cosmetic Product Notifications service. CPNP is the EU route.
Do samples need notification?
If a cosmetic is placed on the EU market, including free supply in a commercial context, check notification requirements before distribution.
What happens if I change the fragrance?
A fragrance change can affect formula composition, allergens, safety assessment, label and notification. Review all of them before selling the changed product.