Selling perfume in the EU means complying with EU Cosmetics Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009. Here's what every new fragrance seller needs to know before their first sale.
1. Cosmetic Product Safety Report (CPSR)
Every cosmetic product, including fragrance, needs a safety assessment performed by a qualified safety assessor before it can be legally sold in the EU. This covers ingredient safety, allergen levels, and stability.
2. Responsible Person
You need a Responsible Person established within the EU who takes legal responsibility for the product's compliance. This can be you (if EU-based), your manufacturer, or a third-party compliance service.
3. CPNP Notification
Before your first sale, your product must be registered on the Cosmetic Product Notification Portal (CPNP), a free EU-wide database.
4. Labelling requirements
EU labels must include: product function, ingredient list (INCI), batch number, Responsible Person's name and address, and allergen declarations for 26 regulated fragrance allergens if present above threshold levels.
5. Allergen declarations
If your fragrance contains any of the 26 EU-regulated allergens (e.g. linalool, limonene, citronellol) above 0.001% (leave-on products), they must be individually listed in the ingredients.
How suppliers can help
Many Ready-to-Pour and Private Label suppliers, including FragranceForge, can provide the safety data and INCI documentation needed to support your CPSR — significantly reducing the compliance burden for new brands.
This article is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Consult a qualified compliance professional before launching.