Perfume is one of the most famous beauty products in the world, but launching a fragrance in the EU is more than just getting the scent right. Perfumes are no different from other cosmetics in that they are heavily regulated in Europe. If you want to sell perfumes or eau de toilette in the EU, you must follow strict rules regarding safety, documentation, and labeling to ensure your product is both safe for customers and compliant with legal requirements.
This guide will show you step by step how to start selling perfumes in the EU, from making them to sending out the final notice. This step-by-step guide will help you follow the rules with confidence, whether you are an indie perfumer, a growing fragrance brand, or a private label seller.
Why Compliance Matters When Selling Perfume in the EU
EU Regulation 1223/2009 and Fragrance Safety
When it comes to cosmetics, the European Union has some of the strictest rules in the world, and perfumes are no different. According to EU Regulation 1223/2009, all cosmetic products, such as perfumes, eau de toilette, and cologne, must be shown to be safe for people’s health before they can be sold. This rule applies to all goods that are made in or brought into the EU, no matter how big or small they are.
This rule says that every product must go through a safety check, and manufacturers or importers must keep records that show they did so. It also makes sure that the Cosmetic Product Notification Portal (CPNP) follows rules for labeling, ingredient limits, and how to let people know about new products. The goal is to make sure that all products sold do not pose a risk to people’s health when used in normal or reasonably expected ways.
Why You Need a CPSR for Perfumes
Any cosmetic product sold in the EU must have a Cosmetic Product Safety Report (CPSR). Perfumes may seem less dangerous than other personal care products, but they still have to follow this rule because they have chemicals that could cause allergies, volatile compounds, and a mix of synthetic and natural ingredients.
A qualified safety assessor must write the CPSR, which has two parts:
Part A has safety information about the product, such as how it was made, the toxicological profiles of its ingredients, its stability, and its microbiological quality.
Part B has the safety assessor’s evaluation and conclusions about whether the product is safe to use. You can’t sell your perfume in the EU if you don’t have a valid CPSR. Check out our Fragrance Safety Guide to find out more about CPSR rules for perfumes.
Step 1: Prepare Your Perfume Formula
Ingredient Transparency and Allergen Disclosure
Using INCI (International Nomenclature of Cosmetic Ingredients) standards, each perfume formula must have a clear record of all the ingredients it contains. If the product has any of the 26 fragrance allergens that EU rules say must be listed, they must be listed on the label if they are present in amounts that are higher than the threshold. Some of these are limonene, linalool, and citral.
The first step to making sure your CPSR and labeling are safe and follow the rules is to keep accurate records of the ingredients.
IFRA Compliance and Certified Cosmetics Support
The International Fragrance Association (IFRA) gives rules for how much of a fragrance ingredient is safe to use based on the type of product and how much exposure it gets. Safety assessors in the EU not only think that following IFRA standards is the best thing to do, but they also expect it.
Certified Cosmetics helps perfume brands by checking their formulations against IFRA standards, finding ingredients that are not allowed, and making IFRA Certificates that are compliant. This makes sure that your scent is both safe and legal.
Step 2: Get Your CPSR (Cosmetic Product Safety Report)
What a Perfume CPSR Includes
The CPSR is the most important part of EU cosmetic compliance. The safety assessor will look at the following for perfumes:
- The complete INCI list and the amounts of each ingredient
- Allergens that are known and the IFRA groups
- The toxicological profiles of each substance
- Information about microbiology and stability
- Instructions for use and labeling
Part A includes all the information gathering, such as the product’s description, composition, manufacturing process, and toxicology.
Part B has the professional safety assessment and the final decision on whether the product is safe to use.
Work with Certified Cosmetics: Our Process
For fragrance products, Certified Cosmetics makes the CPSR creation process easier:
- We check your INCI breakdown and give you advice on how to make sure it meets IFRA standards.
- Preparing documents: We get and check supplier specs, toxicology data, and any test results that are needed.
- Safety assessment: A trained toxicologist makes your CPSR.
- Delivery: We send the final CPSR that meets EU standards, along with clear instructions for labeling and CPNP.
At Certified Cosmetics, you can see our whole workflow.
Step 3: Create Your Product Information File (PIF)
What Needs to Be in the PIF for Perfumes?
The PIF must be kept for each perfume product and stored for ten years after the last batch is sold. It has:
- The whole CPSR (Parts A and B)
- Detailed formulation and supplier paperwork
- Results of microbiological tests (or reasons for not needing them)
- Reports on tests for stability and compatibility
- Certificate from IFRA
- Art and information about the label and packaging
- Proof of effect (if needed)
- Description of manufacturing and GMP statement
Step 4: Notify Your Product via the CPNP
What Is the CPNP?
The Cosmetic Product Notification Portal (CPNP) is a single place in Europe where you can tell people about cosmetic products. Before you can sell your perfume, you must send the CPNP your perfume data after completing your CPSR and PIF. This allows EU authorities to monitor products and ensure they can be traced back to their source in the event of safety issues.
How Certified Cosmetics Supports CPNP Submissions
Certified Cosmetics takes care of CPNP submissions for you. Our steps are as follows:
- Making or taking care of your CPNP account
- Putting your product details and INCI list online
- Making sure that allergens and nano-materials are declared
- Uploading files for labels and packaging
- Checking the information about the EU Responsible Person
This makes sure you follow all the rules and saves you time during the launch phase.
Step 5: Prepare Labels and Packaging
EU Label Requirements for Perfumes
Your perfume labels must have:
- Name of the product and how it is meant to be used
- Complete list of ingredients in INCI
- Any allergens in the fragrance that have been reported
- Nominal content, like 50ml
- Lot code or batch number
- Name and address of the EU Responsible Person
- Country of origin (for goods that come from other countries)
- Period After Opening (PAO) or Shelf Life
- Warnings about safety, like “Keep away from eyes”
Avoid Common Labeling Mistakes
Stay away from these mistakes:
- Using the wrong INCI names
- Not including allergens or making false claims
- Forgetting required symbols like PAO
- Including words that are not allowed, such as “hypoallergenic”
Certified Cosmetics reviews labels to make sure your packaging meets EU standards.
Step 6: Follow GMP (Good Manufacturing Practice)
What Does GMP Mean for Fragrances?
According to EU rules, cosmetics must be made according to Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP). This makes sure that the production process is clean, can be tracked, and is of high quality.
You must do the following, whether you make things in-house or hire a third-party lab:
- Write down every batch of production
- Put quality control systems in place
- Keep records of raw materials and safety data sheets.
Step 7: Protect Your Brand and IP
Trademark Registration for Perfume Brands
You can register a trademark with the EUIPO (European Union Intellectual Property Office) to protect your brand name, logo, or slogan. This protects you legally in all EU countries.
EUIPO Filing for Fragrance Formulas (if applicable)
Fragrance formulas are often thought to be trade secrets, but unique names, packaging, or designs may be able to get design protection. You can also sign NDAs with contract manufacturers to keep your unique blends safe.
Step 8: Launch and Monitor
Post-Market Surveillance for Perfumes
You are still responsible for safety even after your perfume is sold. You have to:
- Get and look over reports of bad events
- Answer complaints quickly
- Write down any safety worries you have.
Keep Your CPSR and PIF Updated
You need to update your CPSR and PIF if your formula, supplier, or packaging changes. Your paperwork must show any changes to the ingredients, the level of allergens, or the results of new stability tests.
FAQ: Selling Perfume in the EU
Q1. Do I need a separate CPSR for each scent?
Yes. Even if the base is the same, each formula needs its own safety report.
Q2. Can I sell handmade perfumes?
Yes, but they still have to follow the rules for CPSR, PIF, labeling, and CPNP.
Q3. Are alcohol-free or solid perfumes treated differently?
No. All cosmetics, no matter what form they come in, must meet the same standards.
Conclusion
Selling perfumes in the EU is more than just an art; it’s a regulated process that needs skill, accuracy, and the right paperwork. Every step, from formulation and CPSR to PIF, labeling, and post-market monitoring, must follow EU law.
We at Certified Cosmetics help brands confidently find their way through this complicated path. We take care of the paperwork, evaluations, and submissions so you can focus on what you do best: making scents that people will remember.
Are you ready to start your journey to compliance? To find out more, explore our services or check out our blog posts.
