Ever tried getting a cosmetic product into the UAE market? It’s not as simple as sending over a box of creams and hoping shops will stock them. The country’s pretty strict about this stuff. Every cosmetic—soap, shampoo, perfume, whatever—needs to go through product registration first.
Reading this blog further will give you a brief overview of the key requirements of cosmetic product registration in UAE.
UAE Cosmetic Product Registration & Regulations
In the UAE, only companies are eligible to register cosmetics. The company applying for cosmetic product registration must hold a local commercial license issued by any regulatory body within the United Arab Emirates with activities related to the cosmetics being registered. If the applicant is a foreign company, they are required to appoint a local registered company as their representative in the UAE to facilitate the registration process.
Who Handles Cosmetics Registration in UAE?
Cosmetic product registration in UAE is managed by different regulatory bodies in each Emirate. However, the ESMA has set standardized regulations for cosmetics that are to be followed by all the Emirates. A few different regulators handle things depending on where you’re based:
Federal Level Registration:
- MOHAP – anything to do with health side of cosmetics.
- ESMA – they’re the ones setting product standards (labels, safety, quality checks).
Dubai Cosmetic Product Registration:
- Dubai Municipality – all cosmetics product registrations go through their Montaji system. If you’ve heard the name Montaji for registration, that’s where it fits in.
- Abu Dhabi: handled by ADAFSA.
- Sharjah: local Municipality office takes care of it.
- Ajman: same story, registration runs through Ajman Municipality.
- Ras Al Khaimah: checked by the RAK Municipality.
- Fujairah and Umm Al Quwain: both have their own municipal desks for product approvals.
How Cosmetics Are Classified in UAE?
Cosmetics in the UAE aren’t treated like medicines at all — they’re lumped in with everyday consumer stuff. Think personal care, perfumes, even soaps and detergents. The catch is, the authorities still want every single product registered before it’s sold, whether you’re importing it or making it locally.
Process for Applying for Cosmetic Products Registration in UAE
In the UAE, cosmetics are grouped with other consumer products rather than medicines. That doesn’t make the rules any lighter—you still need to register them before selling. The process can change a little depending on the emirate, but the overall steps stay more or less the same.
1. Get your company licensed
First thing’s first: you need a trade license. It can come from a mainland authority or a Free Zone, but without it you won’t even get past the first page of the application.
2. Pick the right authority
- In Dubai, everything goes through the Municipality’s Montaji portal.
- In other emirates—Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Ajman, Ras Al Khaimah, Fujairah, Umm Al Quwain—you’ll be dealing with their municipal offices instead.
- On the federal side, MOHAP (for health) and ESMA (for standards) sometimes step in for extra checks.
- 3. Gather the documents
You’ll need things like: - full product formula
- label design/artwork
- Certificate of Free Sale from the country of origin
- GMP certificate
- safety test reports
These are what show the product is in line with UAE cosmetic regulations.
4. Submit the application
In Dubai, you’ll upload everything through Montaji. In the other emirates, it’s their own online portals. Either way, you attach the paperwork, pay the fee, and wait.
5. Review and approval
The authorities check your paperwork and make sure the product and labels meet the rules. If everything’s fine, you’ll get a registration certificate, which you can use across the UAE.
Required Documents for Cosmetic Product Registration in UAE
Before you can register a cosmetic product in the UAE, the paperwork has to be in place. Authorities won’t even look at the application if something’s missing. The usual documents you’ll need are:
- Clear artwork of the product that illustrates all relevant information
- Free Sale Certificate obtained from the country of origin, attested by the respective government sector.
- Ingredients Report outlining the composition and concentration of ingredients, issued by the manufacturer or brand owner, is required.
- Depending on the product, companies may need to provide a lab test report from Dubai Central Laboratory or an accredited laboratory with relevant accreditation. Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) certificate for locally manufactured products,
- Safety data sheet
- Halal certificate from a certified body.
If the product has been registered with one of the official health authorities in the UAE, such as the Ministry of Health and Prevention or Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology, a valid Product Registration Certificate or Certificate of Conformity (COC) must also be submitted.
Consumer Products Registration Review Procedure in UAE
In the UAE, consumer products go through a detailed registration review to make sure they meet the health and safety standards set by Dubai Municipality. Only products that pass this check are granted a registration certificate. If a product doesn’t comply, instead of approval the applicant receives an assessment report outlining the issues and warning against importing or selling it in the local market.
Managing Different Cosmetic Product Variations Registration in UAE
Say you’ve got a lotion that comes in two bottle sizes, or maybe a lipstick in ten shades. You don’t need to go through ten different registrations for each one. The system here is set up so you can put all those versions under one application. That way, you save yourself the hassle of repeating the same paperwork over and over.
Fees for Cosmetic Registration in UAE
Registering cosmetic products in the UAE incurs certain fees to facilitate the regulatory process.
- Each application for cosmetic registration costs AED 10
- An additional AED 10 charged for each product variant included in the same application.
Companies may also opt to request a registration certificate after product approval, which incurs a fee of AED 200 per certificate. Additionally, there is a knowledge and innovation fee of AED 20. To facilitate payment, various channels and methods are available. Payments can be made through smart applications such as the Dubai Municipality Application or Dubai Now Application, as well as via the Dubai Smart Government Portal. Al Ansari Exchange also provides payment options including cash, due date cheques (made out to Al Ansari Exchange), and other methods. Accepted payment methods include My Wallet, direct debit, credit card, Apple Pay, and Samsung Pay, providing convenience and flexibility for companies undergoing the cosmetic registration process in the UAE.
Timelines and Validity for Registration of Cosmetic Products in the UAE
The registration process for cosmetics and personal care products, as well as fragrances, typically takes up to 22 working days from the completion date of the application. Once approved, the registration certificate remains valid for a period of 5 years from the date of issuance. This timeframe ensures that companies have sufficient time to market and distribute their cosmetic products in compliance with regulatory standards, providing clarity and predictability in the registration process in the UAE.
Conclusion:
Getting cosmetics registered here in the UAE isn’t exactly a quick tick-box job. There are forms, checks, and a few different offices involved. But once you know what’s expected, the process makes more sense—and it saves you a lot of stress later.
At Artixio, we’ve been through this enough times to know where companies usually get stuck. If you’d rather not wrestle with the paperwork yourself, drop us a message. We’ll walk you through it and help get your products on the shelves without unnecessary delays.
