Market requirements for cosmetic products

Cosmetic products are products for skin care, hairs and nails, applied with the purpose of improvement of exterior of man. The most common forms of cosmetic products are creams, emulsions, lotions, gels and butters, soap and shampoos, paints for hairs, skins and etc. Cosmetic products suppose only external local use, that’s mean application on a skin, hair, nails and other parts of body. All cosmetic products are the object of VAT tax(20%) Import and sale of cosmetic products require it's marketing authorization – procedure of sanitary-hygienic expertise. Conclusion of sanitary-hygienic expertise is issued by Sanitary-epidemiological agency of MOH of Ukraine and by authorized institutions. Issued conclusion based on results of expertise of documents and laboratory test.  Sanitary-hygienic conclusions issued for term from 2 to 5 years. When term of conclusion end, you need to perform the procedure all over again.

Conclusion may include many products, which has the same or similar form (for example cream, lotions, or shampoo). Certificate contains information abouttrade names of products,manufacturer, Applicant (owner of conclusion), requirements to quality of the product, necessity and frequency of quality inspection.

There are several differences between cosmetic products and medicines:

• Tax. All cosmetic products are the object of VAT tax (20%), whereas medicinal products are tax-free.
• Quality control. Cosmetic products are inspected for general compliance to sanitary-hygienic standards, price for those tests comparatively not high. And some of cosmetic products are object of certification (shampoo, soap and etc.). Medicine products are object of every batch laboratory quality inspection, the cost of which can be a several thousand dollars for one batch.
• Sales. Cosmetic products are allowed for sales in different stores, supermarkets and in pharmacies. Cosmetic product can be sold in pharmacy, but it must be separated from medicines.
• Advertising. Advertising of cosmetic products is allowed and widely used in all mass media.
• Package labeling. State authority does not approve package labeling for cosmetic product; text on the package should be prepared by importer and must comply with local legislation (such as Law On Protection Of Rights Of Consumers etc.). Stickers are allowed.  Serious limitations are defined for package labeling of cosmetic product; names of illnesses, diagnoses are prohibited.
• Process of registration. List of documents for registration of cosmetic products is comparatively small; entire process of approval takes app. 2-3 weeks.

Whole- and retail sale of cosmetic products are not licensed type of activities. Retail sale is allowed through pharmacies, stores and supermarkets.

Cratia offers professional services of organization of marketing authorization of cosmetic products in Ukraine. We have great experience in registration, excellent knowledge of Ukrainian and international legislation, friendly relations with state authorities and experts, knowledge of customs requirements. We can fill in the dossier, deliver samples, translate documents and perform correct marketing authorization in short terms.