Every market has varying cosmetic labeling requirements. While basic product or manufacturing information is required everywhere, the differences begin in the nuances. The language requirements, ingredient nomenclature, and related provisions vary by jurisdiction. Companies selling their products in different markets need to know these variations. Otherwise, they’ll fall under non-compliance and possible marketing refusals.
This guide compares key cosmetic labeling requirements in the European Union, USA, Canada, United Kingdom, Australia, China, Singapore, South Korea, New Zealand, and India, with a separate note on Dubai/UAE requirements where official Dubai Municipality information is available.
Information Commonly Required on Cosmetic Labels Worldwide
Cosmetic labels globally require companies to add product name, identity, function, intended use, and related details. The labels need to declare the ingredients used, their quantity, batch or lot details, and ID number. Manufacturer or responsible person details, expiry dates, minimum durability, or period-after-opening information is required for consumer awareness. Directions for use, warnings, allergy details, and country of origin are all part of global cosmetic label requirements.
Their mention may not be identical everywhere. For example, the EU requires a responsible person’s name and address and country of origin for imported cosmetics. The US requires the name and place of business of the marketing firm and an English country-of-origin declaration for imported articles. Canada requires specific product identity and dealer information, with much of the mandatory information presented in English and French.
Global Cosmetic Labeling Requirements
Let’s look at the details of cosmetic labeling requirements across the world:
1. Cosmetic Labeling Requirements in the European Union
Article 19 of the EU Cosmetics Regulation states the cosmetic product placement requirements on the EU market. It is possible only when the container and packaging have specific information in indelible, easily legible, and visible lettering.
This covers the following:
- Name or registered name & address of the Responsible Person
- Country of origin for imported cosmetics
- Nominal content by weight or volume
- Date of minimum durability, where applicable
- Period-after-opening symbol for products with a durability of more than 30 months, where applicable
- Particular precautions for use
- Batch number or product identification reference
- Cosmetic’s function, unless it’s clear from its presentation
- Ingredient list
The EU ingredient list generally follows descending order of weight at the time the ingredients are added. Ingredients below 1% may be listed in any order after ingredients present above 1%. Nanomaterials must be identified with “nano” in brackets after the ingredient name.
The language for specified mandatory information is determined by the law of the Member State where the product is made available to the end user. Therefore, an EU-wide label may require language adaptations for individual Member States.
2. Cosmetic Labeling Requirements in the United States
The primary cosmetic labeling regulation here comes under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FD&C Act) and Fair Packaging and Labeling Act (FPLA). It has detailed requirements in 21 CFR Parts 701 and 740. The principal display panel of the product must include an identity statement indicating the nature or use of the product and an accurate statement of net quantity of contents.
The information panel must include applicable information such as the name and place of business of the manufacturer, packer, or distributor; their statement where applicable; material facts needed for safe use; required warnings and cautions; and ingredient declaration for retail cosmetics.
Retail cosmetic ingredients generally must be declared by their common or usual names and in descending order of predominance. There may be specific exceptions for ingredients present at 1% or less and for color additives.
Required label statements under the FDA framework must be provided in English. If the label contains information in a foreign language, required information must also appear in that language.
A major distinction from some other markets is that the FDA does not pre-approve cosmetic labels before products are marketed. The manufacturer or distributor remains responsible for ensuring that the labeling complies with applicable requirements. Also, US law does not generally require cosmetic products to carry an expiration date. However, manufacturers are themselves responsible for product safety and shelf-life considerations.
3. Cosmetic Labeling Requirements in Canada
Canada regulates cosmetic labeling under the following:
- Food and Drugs Act
- Cosmetic Regulations
- Consumer Packaging and Labeling Act
- Consumer Packaging and Labeling Regulations
They want the ingredient list to use the International Nomenclature of Cosmetic Ingredients (INCI). Product identity should be in English and French. They must add details regarding the net quantity in metric units, contact information for consumer enquiries, identity and principal place of business of the dealer, required warnings or cautions, and directions for safe use wherever it applies.
Health Canada specifically states that mandatory information other than the ingredient list must generally be provided in English and French.
4. Cosmetic Labeling Requirements in Great Britain
Cosmetics must have a named Responsible Person established in the required jurisdiction and must meet the applicable UK cosmetic framework. They must also be notified before being placed on the GB market.
The container and packaging should have the information mentioned below:
- Name and address of the Responsible Person
- Country of origin where the product is imported into the UK
- Weight or volume
- Use-by date
- Precautions for use
- Batch or other identification number
- Product function
- Ingredient list
Where there isn’t much space to put specific information on the packaging, the UK guidance allows ingredients and precaution-related info to be supplied through packaging inserts or similar means.
5. Cosmetic Labeling Requirements in Australia
Australia does not regulate all products marketed as cosmetics through a single cosmetics registration system. The regulatory pathway depends partly on whether the product is a cosmetic or therapeutic good. The TGA’s Consumer Goods (Cosmetics) Information Standard 2020 establishes mandatory ingredient-labelling and safety-information requirements for relevant cosmetic products.
For cosmetics covered by the mandatory ingredient-labelling standard, ingredient information must be available to consumers at the point of sale. Ingredients must generally be listed on the container or product. They should be listed in descending order by volume or mass, subject to the alternative ordering permitted by the standard. Ingredients at 1% or more may be listed in descending order. It should be followed by ingredients below 1% in any order and then color additives.
The Australian framework also distinguishes cosmetics from therapeutic goods. So, a product’s claims and intended purpose can affect its regulatory classification.
6. Cosmetic Labeling Requirements in China
China requires cosmetic labels to comply with its specific regulatory framework. The NMPA’s provisions state that a label must be attached to the minimum sales unit of cosmetics in Chinese. The label information must be consistent with the label specimen submitted during registration or filing.
It also requires information such as the cosmetic name, ingredients, and efficacy-related information on the label to be authentic and lawful and prohibits medical-effect implications and false or misleading content.
China’s Measures for the Administration of Cosmetics Labels establish detailed requirements for cosmetic labels. It became applicable to cosmetics undergoing registration or filing from 1 May 2022, with transitional arrangements for previously registered or filed products.
China has also introduced a pilot program for electronic cosmetic labels beginning 1 February 2026 in selected regions. Under the pilot, electronic labels can provide Chinese label information through QR codes, subject to specific requirements. Certain information must still appear physically on the visible surface of the sales package.
7. Cosmetic Labeling Requirements in Singapore
Singapore regulates cosmetics through the ASEAN Cosmetic Directive (ACD). HSA states that cosmetic product dealers must comply with Singapore’s cosmetic-product requirements, which are in line with the ACD.
The following information must appear on the outer packaging or immediate packaging where there is no outer packaging:
- Product name and function (Unless presentation is clear)
- Use instructions, unless the product name or presentation’s clear
- Full ingredient list
- Net contents
- Batch identification
- Name and address of the responsible company/manufacturer or other required particulars
- Required precautions and warnings
HSA states that the information must be provided in English. Other languages may be used additionally, provided they correspond to the English version. Ingredients are generally declared in descending order of weight at the time they are added, with specific rules for ingredients below 1%, colorants, fragrances, and botanicals.
8. Cosmetic Labeling Requirements in South Korea
South Korea’s Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) identifies mandatory information to be displayed on cosmetic packaging. They list cosmetic product name, business name and address, manufacturing number, expiry date or period after opening, price, all ingredients used to manufacture the cosmetic, contents by volume or weight, “Functional cosmetic” designation where applicable, precautions for use, and other information prescribed by the applicable regulations.
Additional requirements can apply to small-size packages and sample products.
9. Cosmetic Labeling Requirements in New Zealand
Beginning 1 January 2026, the New Zealand cosmetics requirements changed. Their EPA stated that the updated Cosmetic Products Group Standard has widened the scope. It now includes cosmetic products containing hazardous substances even where the finished product itself is not dangerous.
The label must be written in English for cosmetics covered by the group standard. It should list hazards and explain safe use. Ingredients should be written from highest to lowest concentration. Contact information for the New Zealand importer or manufacturer needs to be on the pack, along with a batch code. Nanomaterials should be identified as “nano” in brackets after the ingredient, and disposal recommendations should be provided.
Some restricted ingredients may also require specific label statements.
10. Cosmetic Labeling Requirements in India
The Cosmetics Rules, 2020, oversee the Indian cosmetic market. The authority, CDSCO, specifically confirms that imported cosmetics need to comply with Rule 34 and Chapter VI of the Cosmetics Rules, 2020.
For imported cosmetics, the label must provide the required manufacturer information. Where the product has not been manufactured in a factory owned by the manufacturer, the actual manufacturer’s name and address, or the country in which it was manufactured, must be provided in accordance with the rules.
India’s framework also contains a specific provision for cosmetics intended for export: CDSCO has clarified that export labels are to meet the specific requirements of the country to which the cosmetics are exported.
Global Cosmetic Labeling Requirements Comparison Table
Here is a tabular comparison of cosmetic label rules and regulations around the world:
| Market | Key label elements | Language / special point |
| EU | Responsible Person, origin for imports, net content, durability/PAO, precautions, batch, function, ingredients |
Member-State language rules apply to specified information
|
| USA | Identity, net quantity, marketer details, ingredients, warnings/material facts |
Required information generally in English; no general cosmetic label pre-approval
|
| Canada | Product identity, ingredients, net quantity, dealer information, warnings, directions |
Most mandatory information in English and French; INCI ingredients
|
| Great Britain | Responsible Person, origin for imports, weight/volume, use-by, precautions, batch, function, ingredients |
UK-specific Responsible Person and notification framework
|
| Australia | Ingredient declaration and applicable safety information |
Cosmetic/therapeutic-good classification is important
|
| China | Chinese label, product information, ingredients, efficacy information and other prescribed information |
Chinese labelling is mandatory; registration/filing consistency is important
|
| Singapore | Product name/function, directions, ingredients, net contents, warnings and identification |
English required; ASEAN Cosmetic Directive framework
|
| South Korea | Product name, business details, batch, expiry/PAO, price, ingredients, contents, precautions |
Additional requirements apply to functional cosmetics
|
| New Zealand | Ingredients, hazards, safe-use information, importer/manufacturer contact, batch, disposal and nano information |
English; major rules updated from January 2026
|
| India | Requirements under Rule 34 and Chapter VI, including manufacturer/import-related information |
Imported cosmetics must comply with Cosmetics Rules, 2020
|
Conclusion
Cosmetic labeling is a cosmetic requirement that differs for every market. Many jurisdictions may ask for similar core information, such as the most common label elements. However, they are only the beginning. Language requirements, ingredient nomenclature, date marking, claims, country-of-origin information, and regulatory status can differ considerably between markets.
Artixio supports cosmetic manufacturers and brand owners with regulatory artwork and labeling review, product classification, registration, and market-entry compliance across international markets. Connect with us for cosmetic compliance and legal consulting services at Info@artixio.com.
FAQs
1. Can the same cosmetic label be used in every country?
Not necessarily. While many markets require similar core information, language, ingredient nomenclature, responsible-party details, date marking, warnings, and other requirements can differ. A label should be reviewed against the requirements of each destination market before commercialization.
2. Which countries require bilingual or multilingual cosmetic labels?
Requirements vary. Canada generally requires most mandatory information in English and French; China requires Chinese labeling; Singapore requires the prescribed information in English; and EU language requirements are determined by the laws of the Member State where the cosmetic is made available to the end user.
3. Do cosmetic labels need regulatory approval before sale?
This depends on the market and regulatory framework. For example, the US FDA states that it does not pre-approve cosmetic product labeling. Other markets may require product registration, notification, or filing and may require the submitted label information to correspond with the marketed product.
