Question 1

How do cosmetic regulations differ between the US and EU?

Accepted Answer

The EU bans 1,600+ ingredients vs. the FDA's ~11 prohibited substances. The EU requires mandatory safety assessments (CPSR) before market entry; the US requires safety substantiation but doesn't mandate pre-market review. The EU requires a Responsible Person; MoCRA requires facility registration. The EU restricts animal testing; the US does not. Our Jurisdiction Compare tool provides detailed side-by-side analysis across 8+ markets.

Question 2

Which cosmetic regulations apply to my product?

Accepted Answer

The regulations that apply depend on where you sell, not where you manufacture. Selling in the EU requires compliance with Regulation 1223/2009. Selling in the US requires MoCRA compliance. Selling in China requires NMPA registration or filing. Each market has different requirements for safety testing, ingredient restrictions, labeling, and registration. Our tool compares requirements across your target markets.

Question 3

Can I use the same cosmetic formula in all countries?

Accepted Answer

Often yes, but it requires formulating to the strictest standard across your target markets. The challenge is that some ingredients are legal in one market but banned in another. For example, certain UV filters approved in the EU are not permitted by the FDA. Our Jurisdiction Compare tool identifies these conflicts so you can formulate a globally compliant base formula.

Cross-Jurisdiction Comparison