Export to Middle East
Cosmetic Definition
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) upholds a dynamic cosmetic industry, offering consumers a diverse array of beauty and personal care products. Cosmetic products in the UAE are subject to robust regulations, which are primarily overseen by two (02) key administrative bodies: the Dubai Municipality (DM) and the Emirates
Authority for Standardization and Metrology (ESMA). The two (02) organizations play a significant role in setting Regulatory standards for cosmetic products entering the UAE market.
The UAE follows the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC)’s unified regulations for cosmetics, thus aligning with international best practices. This kind of harmonized framework for regulations necessitates the registering of cosmetic products with both the DM and the ESMA before they are launched in the market. The registration process involves submitting comprehensive information on the product’s formulation, labeling requirements, and safety assessments.
The labeling of cosmetic products in the UAE is strictly regulated to provide
transparency to consumers. Product labels must be presented in both Arabic and English, and they must include clear directions for use, relevant safety warnings, and other essential information. Cosmetic products containing specific substances must adhere to the corresponding labeling requirements.
The UAE takes a proactive approach to ensure compliance of products with quality standards and consumer safety. The DM and the ESMA thoroughly test and evaluate the products to verify their adherence to the established standards. In addition, the Emirates Conformity Assessment Scheme (ECAS) certifies products that meet the Regulatory requirements, thereby providing consumers with quality and safety assurance.
Therefore, the cosmetic regulations in the UAE are in place to ensure safety, quality, and transparency. Cosmetic manufacturers are required to adhere to Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) guidelines, which help ensure the maintenance of high-quality standards throughout the production process. The DM and the ESMA conduct rigorous evaluations of cosmetic products so that they are certified as safe and compliant before being sold in the market.
Partnering with an experienced Regulatory service provider like Freyr can help you simplify the process of bringing your cosmetic product to the UAE market and equip you to address any challenges that you may encounter. Consult our experts to get assistance in navigating the complex Regulatory landscape of the UAE cosmetic market!
Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, UAE
According to GCC Standardization Organization (GSO), Cosmetic Products are defined as substances or a mixture intended to be placed in contact with the external parts of the human body (epidermis, hair system, nails, lips and external genital organs) or with the teeth and the mucous membranes of the oral cavity with a view exclusively or mainly to cleaning them, perfuming them, changing their appearance, protecting them, keeping them in good condition or correcting body odours.
Violations and Penalties
6.1 When any violation is committed against any provision(s)/rule(s) of this scheme, all measures, actions and penalties shall be taken against perpetrator or the responsible person as stipulated in Federal Law no. (28) for the year 2001 (for establishing ESMA) and its amendments.
6.2 In case of finding any violation(s) to this scheme, necessary immediate action(s) shall be taken to resolve the issue and remove its traces from market which
includes:
- Instructing the responsible party to withdraw the product from market with the aim of rectification or sending it back to the country of origin or destroying it with in the defined period of time.
2. Implement all the required actions to withdraw and /or recall the product(s) or any other necessary corrective actions. The violated party shall bear all the related fees.
7. Any un-authorized use of ECAS certificate and /or Emirates Quality Mark by any person or organization shall be subjected to punishment as per the above mentioned law without violation to any other punishment law.
8. Retailor is responsible if he fails to identify the source of the supply of the non-
complying product.
Comprehensive Support
It’s important to stay updated on changes in cosmetic regulations as they vary from country to country. New regulations or changes to existing ones can impact product formulation, labeling requirements, and marketing claims. Staying updated can ensure that companies comply with the latest regulations and avoid any legal issues.
Influentive offers a comprehensive range of services for cosmetic regulation includes regulatory consulting, product formulation, labeling compliance, and safety testing. With our team of experts constantly monitoring the latest regulatory changes, we can help companies comply with the latest regulations in the EU, UK, and USA.