HCPC Brands EuropeCPNP Notification
Before a cosmetic product can be placed on the EU market, the Responsible Person must submit a defined set of information to the European Commission through the Cosmetic Products Notification Portal (CPNP). HCPC Brands Europe B.V. prepares and submits this notification as part of every Responsible Person mandate, and keeps it current as your product or labelling changes.
What Must Be Notified
- Product category and name(s) — sufficient to specifically identify the product.
- Responsible Person's name and address — where the Product Information File is readily accessible.
- Country of origin — where the product is imported into the EU.
- Target Member State(s) — where the product will first be placed on the market.
- Emergency contact person — a physical person reachable if urgently necessary.
- Nanomaterial content — identification and reasonably foreseeable exposure conditions, where applicable.
- CMR substances — name and CAS/EC number of any Category 1A or 1B carcinogenic, mutagenic, or reproductive-toxic substances present.
- Frame formulation — ingredient categories and maximum concentrations, to support prompt medical treatment in the event of an incident.
After Market Placement
Notification isn't a one-off, pre-market-only step. Once the product actually reaches the market, the Responsible Person must additionally notify the original labelling and, where reasonably legible, a photograph of the packaging — keeping the CPNP record aligned with what consumers actually see on shelf.
A Common Point of Confusion: CPNP vs. PCN
CPNP notification (this page) and Poison Centre Notification under CLP are separate obligations governed by different regulations, submitted through different systems, and triggered by different product classifications. See our UFI / PCN Notification page for the CLP-side obligation that applies to hazardous chemical mixtures.
Regulatory Framework
Our Process
- 1. Intake — product category, formulation, target markets, and CMR/nanomaterial status.
- 2. Frame formulation — prepared to support medical treatment purposes.
- 3. Submission — notification filed via CPNP prior to market placement.
- 4. Post-launch update — labelling and packaging photograph notified once the product is on the market.
Frequently Asked Questions
What information must be submitted to the Commission before a cosmetic product is placed on the market?
Under Article 13 of Regulation (EC) 1223/2009, the Responsible Person must electronically submit the product category and name, the RP's name and address, the country of origin if imported, the Member State(s) of first placement, an emergency contact person, details of any nanomaterials present, the identity of any Category 1A/1B carcinogenic, mutagenic or reproductive-toxic (CMR) substances present, and a frame formulation enabling prompt medical treatment in case of an incident.
Is CPNP notification the same as Poison Centre Notification (PCN)?
No — these are frequently confused but are separate obligations under separate regulations. CPNP notification is required for cosmetic products under the Cosmetics Regulation. PCN, by contrast, applies to hazardous chemical mixtures under CLP Annex VIII and is filed through a different system. A product could in principle fall under both regimes depending on its classification.
What is a "frame formulation," and why is it required?
A frame formulation lists the category or function of a product's ingredients and their maximum concentration (or equivalent qualitative/quantitative detail), submitted specifically so that medical professionals can act quickly and appropriately in the event of an accidental exposure or incident.
Does notifying via CPNP mean the product has been checked or approved?
No. CPNP notification registers the product in the system and makes the specified information available to Member State authorities and poison centres — it does not involve the Commission or any authority verifying the underlying Product Information File or Cosmetic Product Safety Report.
What happens after the product is actually placed on the market?
Once the product reaches the market, the Responsible Person must additionally notify the original labelling and, where reasonably legible, a photograph of the corresponding packaging — a separate follow-up step beyond the initial pre-market notification.
See also our Responsible Person and PIF pages, or our full Cosmetics Glossary & FAQ.
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