The growing global demand for quality cosmetic products makes cosmetics export a strategic lever for many Italian companies. In particular, consumers in many emerging economies and mature markets are showing increasing interest in skincare, haircare and dermocosmetic products characterized by high quality standards, natural ingredients and strong brand identity.
At the same time, the industry is characterized by a strong regulation international. Indeed, each country or economic area has specific requirements for product safety, labeling, technical documentation, and economic operator responsibility. Accordingly, the export of cosmetics cannot be handled solely as an extension of domestic sales activities, but must be approached as a true internationalization project. On the one hand, it is necessary to carefully analyze the potential of the target markets, assessing demand size, distribution channels, competitive dynamics, and brand positioning. On the other hand, it is essential to verify the compliance of products with local regulations, preparing the required technical documentation and adapting formulations, labeling and claims if necessary. Only through structured planning is it possible to reduce operational risks and turn internationalization into a concrete lever of competitive development.
For Italian companies, EU compliance is often the most solid base from which to start, because the Regulation (EC) 1223/2009 defines a complete facility: accountability, safety, labeling, documentation, and post-market surveillance.
In operational summary, to sell a cosmetic in the EU, it is necessary:
This basis is also important because many non-EU countries, while having their own rules, adopt “related” logics (product dossier, notification/registration, label requirements, safety requirements).
When exporting outside the European Union, it is common for the importer or local authority to require a Certificate of Free Sale (CLV): is a document certifying that the product is legally marketed in the country of origin and is often used as a “documentary basis” for marketing abroad. The Ministry of Health regulates the procedure for issuing CLVs for the export of cosmetics, including the forms and elements required for the application. In practice, the CLV does not replace the requirements of the country of destination, but enables them: is often one of the key documents to initiate customs registrations, notifications or audits.
On the production side, many authorities and trading partners (distributors, retailers, private labels) require evidence of a system GMP. In the cosmetics industry, the gold standard is. ISO 22716, which provides guidelines for production, control, storage and shipment of cosmetics. In 2026, even when certification is not formally mandatory, the presence of sound and documented GMP procedures is often a competitive advantage because it accelerates two crucial steps: supplier qualification and “holding” in case of checks or audits.
The UK requires separate management from the EU: there is a need for a Responsible Person established in the United Kingdom and product notification through the UK Notification Service (SCPN). Operationally, this impacts label (RP data), traceability, and document management, especially when working in parallel across the EU and UK.
In the U.S., the most relevant development in 2026 is the implementation of the Modernization of Cosmetics Regulation Act (MoCRA), which significantly expands the FDA regulatory levers. FDA provides, among other things, registration of facilities (with two-year renewal) and product listing (with annual updates), as well as requirements to report serious adverse events within defined time frames. For one exporter, this means that the’US market entry requires more structured oversight today: correct labeling is not enough, we need an accountability and traceability framework consistent with MoCRA obligations.
China remains a high-potential but regulatively challenging market. As the framework evolves CSAR, authorities have strengthened the approach based on safety assessment; industry sources indicate the introduction of the requirement to full safety assessment for marketed cosmetics, with specific timelines for entry into force. For many companies, this involves advance work on dossiers, ingredients, claims and technical documentation.
In the Gulf countries, compliance is often anchored in common technical standards, with requirements on safety and claims (e.g., references such as GSO 1943/2016 and related standards), but with procedures and authorities that may vary at the country level. Concretely: the same formula may be acceptable, but change language/label structure, records, documentary requirements, and timing.
In several ASEAN countries an approach based on notification of the product and preparation of a Product Information File To be made available to the authorities. For European brands, it is a “family” model (dossier + notification), but it requires point adaptations On labeling and document management.
In India, to import cosmetics is required to register according to the Cosmetics Rules, 2020 at the competent authority (CDSCO), with evidence that no cosmetics can be imported without registration. This is something that should be considered from the start of the export project because it impacts importer selection and market entry timelines.
In the cosmetics industry, the’entry into international markets cannot be managed episodically: in 2026, the companies that grow in cosmetics exports are those that adopt a phased internationalization path, in which commercial and regulatory aspects are managed in an integrated way.
Finally, it is essential to provide a system of post-market monitoring and management. Even after products are placed on the market, companies must ensure product traceability, handle any safety alerts and keep technical documentation up to date. This has become particularly relevant in recent years as many regulatory authorities are strengthening surveillance systems and controls on imported cosmetics.
In 2026 the export of cosmetics is a concrete and measurable opportunity, as shown by Italian industry trends and global market growth. At the same time, it is an industry where the speed of expansion depends on the ability to properly manage rules, responsibilities and documents in target markets. For companies that aspire to grow in a structured way, compliance is not a cost “to suffer,” but a competitive lever: it reduces risk, accelerates channel access, and strengthens credibility with partners and consumers.
For a concise overview of the main certifications and documents required for cosmetics export (CLV, GMP, FDA, EAC, etc.), you can also read our in-depth article: Export cosmetics: certifications and opportunities for the foreign market.
To sell a cosmetic product in the EU, Regulation (EC) 1223/2009 requires three elements: a Responsible Person who guarantees compliance throughout the product’s life cycle, a Product Information File (PIF) with safety assessment and updated documentation, and notification on the CPNP portal. After the CPNP notification, no further national notification is required.
The CLV certifies that the cosmetic is legally marketed in the country of origin and is often requested by importers or local authorities as documentation. It does not replace the obligations of the country of destination, but enables them, for example for registrations, notifications, or customs checks. In Italy, the procedure for issuing cosmetics is regulated by the Ministry of Health.
ISO 22716 certification is not always formally mandatory, but it is the benchmark standard for good manufacturing practices (GMP) in cosmetics, with guidelines on production, control, storage, and shipment. Distributors, retailers, and private label customers often require proof of compliance. Documented GMP procedures accelerate supplier qualification and help in the event of inspections or audits.
With the Modernization of Cosmetics Regulation Act (MoCRA), the FDA has expanded its powers: facilities are required to be registered with biennial renewal, product listings are updated annually, and serious adverse events must be reported within specified timeframes. For exporters to the USA, a proper labeling is no longer sufficient; a system of accountability and traceability must be in place in line with these obligations.
In India, no cosmetic product can be imported without registration under the Cosmetics Rules, 2020, with the competent authority CDSCO. Therefore, it must be considered from the outset of the export project, as it affects the choice of importer and the time of entry into the market. Other markets, such as the ASEAN countries, rely on product notification and PIF instead.
A cosmetic export project is divided into four phases: selection of priority markets based on size, growth, channels and competition; assessment of regulatory compliance with PIF, safety reports, GMP and CLV; choice of the entry model, between distributors, branches or e-commerce; post-market monitoring with traceability, safety reports and updated documentation.
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