Short answer: In the Philippines, cosmetics are not registered with a full Certificate of Product Registration like food or medicine. They go through a cosmetic product notification filed online with the FDA. Only a Philippine company with an FDA License to Operate (LTO) can file it, and it has to be done before the product is sold. With complete documents, most notifications we handle at Nirvasian are approved in about 3 to 8 weeks.
This guide explains who can apply, what documents you need, the step by step process, label rules and the mistakes that cause delays. It is written for brand owners, importers and online sellers of skincare, makeup, hair care, fragrance and personal care products.
CPR or notification: which one do cosmetics need?
You will hear people ask for “FDA registration”, “CPR” or “CPN” for cosmetics. Here is the difference:
- Certificate of Product Registration (CPR) is used for products like processed food, food supplements, drugs and medical devices.
- Cosmetic product notification is the system for cosmetics. The Philippines follows the ASEAN Cosmetic Directive, which puts the responsibility on the company selling the product. You notify the FDA before selling and you keep full product records ready for inspection.
So if you sell soap, lotion, serum, lipstick, shampoo, perfume or similar products, the notification is what you need. If your product makes medical claims, like treating acne or curing a skin condition, it may no longer count as a cosmetic and will follow stricter rules.
Who can file a cosmetic notification?
The applicant must be a company in the Philippines holding a valid FDA License to Operate for cosmetics. The LTO covers a specific activity:
- Manufacturer: makes the products in the Philippines
- Trader: owns the brand and has products made by a licensed manufacturer
- Distributor: imports, exports or wholesales the products
The LTO application names a qualified person, usually a licensed pharmacist, chemist or chemical engineer, who is responsible for compliance. The LTO number is entered in every product notification, which is why it has to come first.
A foreign company cannot file directly. Foreign brands either open a Philippine entity and get their own LTO, or work with a licensed local importer that files and holds the notification for them. Nirvasian offers this: we can import and notify your products under our own License to Operate.
Documents you need for each product
Exact requirements depend on the product, but most applications need:
- A certificate of manufacture or Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) certificate from the factory
- The full ingredient list with the percentage of each ingredient
- Label artwork for every pack size, exactly as it will be sold
- Photos of the product in its final packaging, from all sides
- Supporting documents for any special claims on the label
- A certificate of origin, where applicable
The company must also keep a Product Information File (PIF) for each product. It is not submitted with the notification, but the FDA can ask to see it at any time. A PIF usually has four parts: administrative documents and a product summary, raw material data, finished product data, and safety and efficacy data.
Step by step: how to get a cosmetic notification
- Secure the License to Operate. Apply for or confirm the LTO of the company that will hold the notification.
- Check the formula. Compare every ingredient against the ASEAN Cosmetic Directive lists of banned and restricted substances, colorants, preservatives and UV filters. A single ingredient over the limit can stop the application.
- Finalize the label. Make sure the artwork includes all required details (see the list below). Do it before you print packaging.
- Prepare the documents listed above and make sure product names, ingredient lists and pack sizes match across all of them.
- File on the FDA ePortal. The applicant registers on the FDA eServices portal, fills in the notification form for each product and uploads the documents.
- Pay the fees. The system issues an order of payment. Government fees depend on the validity period you choose and the number of variants.
- Answer FDA questions. Evaluators may ask for clarifications or corrected documents. Fast, complete answers keep the timeline short.
- Receive the notification and track its expiry. Once approved, the product can be sold. Note the expiry date and renew before it lapses, together with the LTO.
Label requirements for cosmetics in the Philippines
Following the ASEAN rules, the label on the product or its outer packaging should show:
- The name of the product and its function, unless it is obvious from the presentation
- Instructions for use
- The full list of ingredients
- Country of manufacture
- Name and address of the company responsible for the product in the Philippines
- Net content by weight or volume
- Batch number
- Manufacturing date or expiry date
- Special precautions or warnings, if any
When the pack is too small, at least the product name and batch number must be on the product itself. The rest can go on a leaflet, hang tag or outer box.
Common mistakes that delay approval
- Medical claims on the label. Words like “cures”, “treats” or “heals” can push the product out of the cosmetic category.
- Ingredient list in the wrong format or missing percentages.
- Names that do not match. The product name on the label, the application and the GMP certificate should be the same.
- Selling before approval. Products sold without a notification can be flagged by the FDA and removed from online marketplaces.
- Letting the LTO expire. Product notifications depend on a valid LTO.
- Changing the formula or packaging without updating the notification and the PIF.
How long does it take and how much does it cost?
With complete and correct documents, most cosmetic notifications we file are approved within about 3 to 8 weeks. Getting a new LTO takes extra time, so brands starting from zero should plan for that.
Costs come in two parts: the official FDA fees, which depend on the validity period and number of variants, and the professional fee if you use a consultant. At Nirvasian our fee depends on the product category, the number of SKUs and how much technical review is needed. We send an all-inclusive quote within one business day, with no hidden surcharges or success fees.
How to check if a product is FDA notified
Buyers, retailers and marketplaces can check a product or company on the FDA Verification Portal on the FDA website. Search by product name, brand or registration number. If you are about to buy stock from a supplier in the Philippines, check it there first.
What happens after approval: storage and selling
The notification is only the first step. Once your products are approved, they still need to be imported, stored properly and shipped to customers. Cosmetics are sensitive to heat and humidity, and every batch and expiry date should be tracked in case of a complaint or recall.
That is why many brands use Nirvasian Fulfillment Center Philippines for the whole chain: we file the FDA documents, clear the shipment through customs, store the stock with lot and expiry tracking, and ship orders from Shopee, Lazada, TikTok Shop and Shopify. Our full guide on how to sell cosmetics in the Philippines explains each step.
Frequently asked questions
Is a cosmetic notification the same as FDA registration?
For cosmetics, yes in practice. When people say “FDA registered cosmetics” in the Philippines, they mean products with an approved cosmetic notification.
Do I need a separate notification for each shade or size?
Each product needs its own notification. Shades or variants of the same product can often be declared under one application, with fees counted per variant. Different formulas need separate notifications.
Can I sell imported cosmetics while my notification is pending?
No. The product must be notified before it is placed on the market, including online listings.
Can a foreign company hold the notification?
No. The holder must be a Philippine company with an LTO. Foreign brands can use their own local entity, or let a licensed partner like Nirvasian import and notify the products under its license.
Is Nirvasian part of the FDA?
No. Nirvasian is a private company. We prepare and file documents on your behalf and deal with the FDA evaluators for you.
Get your cosmetics notified
Send us your product list and we will tell you exactly what is needed, how long it will take and what it will cost. See our FDA registration service, message us on WhatsApp at +63 919 080 5147 or email info@nirvasian.com.