Global Cosmetics Compliance Made Simple

May 8, 2025

Where to start?

The skincare industry in 2025 is no longer local — it’s global by default. Whether you’re selling in Europe, expanding to the US, or eyeing entry into Asian markets, one truth remains: compliance is not optional. It’s the backbone of consumer safety, brand credibility, and international growth. This guide offers a clear and up-to-date overview of good manufacturing and regulatory practices, labeling, testing, and how to make compliant and credible claims. If you’re developing or scaling a skincare brand, this is your foundation.

1. Compliance & Safety First

Regulations You Can’t Ignore

Bringing a cosmetic product to market is not just about aesthetics and efficacy — it is first and foremost about safety and legal responsibility. In the EU, a product cannot be launched without a completed CPSR (Cosmetic Product Safety Report), which must be carried out by a certified assessor. Each product must also be backed by a Product Information File (PIF) containing formulation data, manufacturing procedures, testing results, labeling information, and justification for claims.

Before launch, the product must also be submitted to the CPNP (Cosmetic Product Notification Portal). It must be manufactured under GMP (Good Manufacturing Practice) according to ISO 22716 standards, and tested for stability and compatibility. Preservative Efficacy Testing (PET) and microbial analyses ensure microbiological safety.

Global Obligations (MoCRA, SCPN, Asia)

In the United States, the new MoCRA law (Modernization of Cosmetics Regulation Act) now requires brand owners to register facilities, list all products, and ensure substantiated safety documentation with the FDA.

In the UK, following Brexit, brands must register on the SCPN platform and appoint a UK Responsible Person — a system that mirrors the CPNP in structure but not in jurisdiction.

In Asia, requirements vary. While countries like South Korea or Japan focus on ingredient safety and claims, others like China or Indonesia demand local representation, animal testing exemptions, or additional safety verification for imports. INCI declarations and localized compliance strategies are essential here.

Packaging: Not Just Design

Packaging isn’t just about aesthetics. Labels must legally include ingredient listings (INCI order), batch numbers, responsible entity addresses, durability symbols, and claim-related warnings. Every detail must align with the product’s PIF — including wording, font size, and symbols.

2. Claims — Trust is Earned, Not Assumed

No More “Free-From” Marketing

In the EU, vague or misleading claims like “chemical-free” or “free from parabens” are no longer allowed — unless proven relevant and scientifically justified. This move aims to prevent fear-based marketing and uphold trust in ingredients that have passed safety assessments.

Scientific Claims Require Proof

Saying your product “reduces wrinkles” or “improves elasticity” demands solid evidence. This can come from:

Instrumental testing (e.g. cutometry, corneometry)
Consumer perception studies (under standardized protocols)
Clinical trials carried out by third-party labs

Any claim — from hydration to pigmentation reduction — must be verifiable, documented, and reproducible.

SPF & Performance-Linked Claims

SPF for instance is heavily regulated. If your product claims SPF protection, it must undergo in-vitro or in-vivo ISO-compliant testing. The same applies to UVA/UVB ratios and water resistance. Claims without proper substantiation not only risk consumer backlash but legal penalties.

Visual & Consumer Testimonials

Before-and-after images, statistics, or testimonials must be based on real results. Any consumer statements shown on a website or packaging must reflect the typical experience, not the best-case scenario. Manipulated visuals or cherry-picked data are considered misleading.

Transparency isn’t a nice-to-have — it’s a legal obligation.

3. NatureCastle’s Global Compliance Advantage

Compliance from Day One

At NatureCastle, we don’t treat compliance as a box-ticking formality — we integrate it into every step of product development. From our lab in Switzerland, we provide:

EU-compliant CPSRs, PIF creation, and CPNP submissions
SCPN filings for the UK market
FDA support under MoCRA, including product listings and facility registration

GMP Manufacturing & In-House Expertise

All products are developed and produced under GMP conditions, with support from experienced regulatory consultants and toxicological assessors. We manage stability, PET, and microbiological testing, and collaborate with certified labs for advanced performance testing.

Access to Rare Ingredients & High-Tech Support

We offer access to specialty actives and advanced ingredients often blocked by high MOQs — thanks to our deep supplier network. Whether it’s a stabilized antioxidant complex or encapsulated retinoids, we help brands innovate without the inventory burden. Behind the scenes, we use AI-powered development tools and neural networks to:

Reverse-engineer formulations
Predict stability profiles
Benchmark performance
Accelerate development timelines

Our work is not only science-based — it’s data-enhanced.

Your Partner for Global Expansion

Whether you’re preparing for EU entry, FDA compliance, or navigating the complexity of Asian markets, we guide, handle, and deliver. We don’t just develop products — we build regulatory-ready brands that can thrive globally.

Let’s build a skincare line that’s innovative, safe, and globally compliant — together.