What does the EU Cosmetics Responsible Person actually do?

## What Does the EU Cosmetics Responsible Person Actually Do? The EU Cosmetics Responsible Person has specific legal obligations under Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009. Understanding these responsibilities in plain English helps set proper expectations and ensures compliance. ### Core RP Responsibilities (In Plain English) The RP is responsible for ensuring compliance with key obligations, including: #### 1. Product Safety Obligations **What it means:** The RP must ensure products are safe before they're placed on the market^{<a href="#cite-4">[1]</a>}. **In practice:** - Verify products meet safety requirements - Ensure products don't contain prohibited substances - Confirm ingredient restrictions are followed - Validate that products are safe for intended use #### 2. Safety Assessment + Cosmetic Product Safety Report (CPSR) **What it means:** The RP must ensure a safety assessment is conducted and a CPSR is created before market placement^{<a href="#cite-4">[2]</a>}. **In practice:** - Coordinate safety assessment (typically done by qualified safety assessor) - Ensure CPSR is complete and up to date - Maintain CPSR as part of the Product Information File - Update CPSR when products change #### 3. Maintaining the Product Information File (PIF) **What it means:** The RP must maintain the PIF and make it available to authorities upon request^{<a href="#cite-4">[3]</a>}. **In practice:** - Keep PIF complete and current - Ensure PIF is accessible at RP's address - Provide PIF to authorities within reasonable time (typically 3-7 days) - Update PIF when products or information changes #### 4. EU Notification Prior to Market Placement **What it means:** The RP must submit CPNP notifications before products can be placed on the market^{<a href="#cite-4">[4]</a>}. **In practice:** - Submit CPNP notifications for all products - Ensure notifications are complete and accurate - Update notifications when products change - Maintain CPNP account and access #### 5. Labeling Compliance **What it means:** The RP must ensure products are properly labeled according to EU requirements^{<a href="#cite-4">[5]</a>}. **In practice:** - Verify required information is present (RP address, ingredients, warnings, etc.) - Ensure labeling is in appropriate languages - Confirm INCI nomenclature is used for ingredients - Validate all mandatory elements are included #### 6. Handling Serious Undesirable Effects (SUE) Reporting **What it means:** The RP must report serious undesirable effects to competent authorities without delay^{<a href="#cite-4">[6]</a>}. **In practice:** - Receive and process SUE reports - Submit SUE reports to competent authorities - Coordinate corrective actions when needed - Maintain records of all SUE reports ### RP Responsibilities Checklist Your RP should handle: - [ ] Product safety verification before market placement - [ ] Safety assessment coordination and CPSR maintenance - [ ] PIF maintenance and accessibility - [ ] CPNP notification submission and updates - [ ] Labeling compliance verification - [ ] SUE reporting to authorities - [ ] Responding to authority inquiries - [ ] Coordinating corrective actions when needed ### What the RP Is NOT Responsible For The RP typically does NOT: - ❌ Develop or formulate your products - ❌ Manufacture your products - ❌ Test your products (unless offering additional services) - ❌ Market or sell your products - ❌ Handle customer service - ❌ Manage your supply chain ### Practical Workflow Example **Before Market Placement:** 1. RP reviews product information and documentation 2. RP ensures safety assessment and CPSR are complete 3. RP verifies PIF is complete 4. RP submits CPNP notification 5. RP confirms labeling compliance 6. Product can be placed on market **After Market Placement:** 1. RP maintains PIF and keeps it current 2. RP handles SUE reports if they occur 3. RP responds to authority inquiries 4. RP updates CPNP when products change 5. RP coordinates corrective actions if needed ### Key Takeaway The RP is your **regulatory compliance interface** in the EU. They ensure your products meet all legal requirements and serve as the contact point for authorities. They don't develop, manufacture, or sell your products—they ensure regulatory compliance. ### Next Steps 1. Understand what your RP will and won't do 2. Prepare documentation your RP will need 3. **[Compare EU Cosmetics Responsible Person providers & request quotes](https://cruxi.ai/regulatory-directories/cosmetics_rp)** - Find providers that offer the services you need --- *Written by **Lo H. Khamis**, Regulatory Experts. [Connect on LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/in/lo-h-khamis) for regulatory guidance.* ### Official Sources: <a id="cite-4"></a>[1] [Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009 - Article 4](https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX:32009R1223) <a id="cite-4"></a>[2] [Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009 - Article 10](https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX:32009R1223) <a id="cite-4"></a>[3] [Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009 - Article 11](https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX:32009R1223) <a id="cite-4"></a>[4] [Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009 - Article 13](https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX:32009R1223) <a id="cite-4"></a>[5] [Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009 - Article 19](https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX:32009R1223) <a id="cite-4"></a>[6] [Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009 - Article 23](https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX:32009R1223)