According to Article 4.1 of the EU Cosmetics Regulation, only cosmetic products for which a "Responsible Person" has been designated within the European Community may be placed on the market.

The Responsible Person carries several legal obligations on behalf of the manufacturer and importer. Key responsibilities include:

  • Ensuring compliance with the Regulation
  • Withdrawing the product from the market in case of non-compliance
  • Informing authorities in case of risks
  • Providing the required documents and information to authorities
  • Ensuring traceability for three years


A Responsible Person can be appointed for both EU and non-EU products and must have comprehensive knowledge of the Regulation. They must also retain evidence that all obligations have been fulfilled.