Ukraine has implemented new rules for the sale of cosmetics in accordance with EU regulations
The Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine has postponed the date on which the new regulations governing the circulation of cosmetic products will take full effect. Instead of August 3, 2026, the technical regulation, harmonized with European Union legislation, will take effect on July 31, 2027.
The new requirements stipulate that cosmetic products placed on the market after July 31, 2027, must undergo a notification procedure and comply with established safety standards.
The technical regulation on cosmetic products aligns Ukrainian rules with EU Regulation No. 1223/2009. Its main goal is to improve the safety of cosmetic products, protect consumers, and harmonize the Ukrainian market with European requirements.
The regulation was approved back in 2021, but a lengthy transition period was provided for businesses. By Resolution No. 976 of the Cabinet of Ministers dated July 29, 2026, this period was extended by nearly another year.
After July 31, 2027, all new cosmetic products must undergo a notification procedure—the official submission of product information to the state registry.
During this procedure, information must be submitted regarding:
- the composition of the cosmetic product;
- the manufacturer;
- the responsible person;
- confirmation of compliance with safety requirements.
However, notification is not certification, but merely an official notification to a government agency regarding the product’s entry into circulation.
Compliance with the new rules will be monitored by the State Service of Ukraine for Medicines and Drug Control (Derzhliksluzhba).
Cosmetic products placed on the market before July 31, 2027, may continue to be sold until their expiration date.
However, sellers must have original documents confirming the date of purchase. Delivery notes will serve as the primary evidence that the products were purchased before the end of the transition period.
In the absence of such documents, it will be significantly more difficult to prove the legality of cosmetics sales during an inspection.
Manufacturers and importers must:
- conduct a product safety assessment;
- prepare technical documentation;
- appoint a responsible person;
- complete the notification procedure.
Distributors and retailers are advised to:
- verify that cosmetics have been notified before selling them after July 31, 2027;
- organize the source documentation for existing inventory.
Once the new rules take effect, the sale of cosmetics without prior notification will be considered a violation of the technical regulations.
In such cases, the State Service of Ukraine on Medicines and Medical Devices will have the right to conduct inspections and seize products that do not meet the established requirements.
Additionally, the absence of documents confirming the date of purchase of cosmetic products may create additional risks during inspections by regulatory authorities, as it is the source documentation that confirms the legality of the product’s circulation.
A new electronic system has recently been launched in Ukraine, where manufacturers and importers will enter complete information about each cosmetic product.
In Ukraine, cosmetics from domestic manufacturers may become 20–50% more expensive due to the implementation of new European standards for the production and sale of cosmetic products. This is due to the need to harmonize with EU legislation, and Ukrainian companies must begin complying with the new rules starting in August 2024.
