Cosmetic Regulations in the State of Kuwait

As a member of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), Kuwait adopts applicable Gulf standards, primarily including GSO 1943, GSO 2528, and GSO 2020 to regulate cosmetics. In addition, cosmetic products must be registered with the Kuwait Ministry of Health through an appointed authorized representative in Kuwait before they can be placed on the market.

Part 1 Regulatory Framework and Competent Authority

1.1 Main Cosmetic Regulations

The regulatory framework for cosmetics in Kuwait is established through the Ministerial Decree 344/2025 and a series of GSO technical guidelines, as outlined in the table below.

1.2 Competent Authority

Cosmetic products in Kuwait are primarily overseen by the following competent authorities. Together, these regulatory bodies ensure that cosmetics placed on the market comply with applicable safety standards and quality requirements.

• The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC): The GCC is the leading political and economic organization in the Gulf region, comprising Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Oman, Bahrain, and Qatar. Since its inception, member states have been actively leveraging their shared language and religion to advance the process of regional economic integration.

• The GCC Standardization Organization (GSO): GSO is a regional standardization organization established by the resolution of the GCC Supreme Council. Its member states include Saudi Arabia, UAE, Bahrain, Oman, Qatar, Kuwait, and Yemen. GSO works to harmonize standards across member states and has developed regulations across various sectors, including cosmetics.

• Medicine and Medical Products Registration and Regulatory Administration: Operates under the Kuwait Ministry of Health (MOH), it is the responsible authority for cosmetic registration approval, quality supervision, and market regulation.

Part 2 Cosmetic Products

2.1 Definition

In Kuwait, cosmetic preparations are any substance or preparations intended to be placed in contact with the various external part of the human body (Skin, 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 clean, perfume, change their appearance and/or correcting body odors, and/or protecting them or keeping them in good condition.

2.2 General Cosmetic Categories

In accordance with Ministerial Decree No. 344/2025, cosmetics in Kuwait are generally categorized as follows:

• Skin care products

• Hair care products

• Oral hygiene products

• Makeup and decorative cosmetics

• Perfumes and colognes

• Deodorants and anti-perspirants

• Sun protection products

• Personal hygiene products

• Nail care products

• Wet wipes and no-rinse products

Part 3 Premarket Approval

3.1 GSO Requirements

As a member of GCC, Kuwait adheres to the GSO standards for cosmetics, which primarily include GSO 1943, GSO 2528, and GSO 2020. These technical standards are closely aligned with the EU cosmetic requirements, Regulation (EC) No. 1223/2009. Specifically,

• GSO 1943 provides comprehensive requirements for cosmetics, including safety requirements, labeling, and the lists of prohibited and restricted substances

• GSO 2528 establishes detailed cosmetic claim criteria

• GSO 2020 gives guidelines for the production, control, storage, and shipment of cosmetic products

3.2 Cosmetic Registration

3.2.1 Registration Entity

1. Marketing Authorization Holder and Authorized Representative in Kuwait

A Marketing Authorization Holder (MAH) is a legal entity that has been granted the official authorization to market or sell a specific cosmetic product within the defined geographic region. MAH is responsible for ensuring the safety, quality, and compliance with all relevant regulations throughout the product lifecycle, from premarket to post-market surveillance.

Authorized Representative refers to a legal entity established in the State of Kuwait that is officially appointed by the MAH to act on its behalf before the Medicines and Medical Products Registration and Regulatory Administration in all matters related to the registration, post-market surveillance, marketing, and communication of cosmetic products.

2. Applicant Qualification Requirements

In Kuwait, the authorized representative is responsible for applying product registration, renewal, variations, transfer of agency, and other related procedures, in accordance with requirements set out in Ministerial Decree No. 344/2025. The applicant shall submit the following documents:

• Valid import license, authorizing the import of cosmetic preparations

• Valid store license

• Valid agent license

• Copy of the authorized signature certificate

• Copy of the Civil ID of the company owner or the authorized signatory

3.2.2 Cosmetic Registration Documents

The following materials are required for cosmetic registration:

• Cover letter addressed to Medicine and Medical Products Registration and Regulatory Administration, stating the product name, intended use, manufacturer, country of origin, and an enclosed list of documents, along with the application form

• Letter of appointment from the MAH

• Free Sale Certificate

• Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) certificate or ISO 22716

• Detailed quantitative Certificate of Composition for both active and inactive ingredients, issued by the manufacturer or MAH

• Certificate for the source of biological ingredients, free from pathogenic or infections and microbes, (BSE /TSE free certificate for ingredients from animal origin, if applicable)

• Certificate for the source of biological ingredients and Certificate confirming the absence of detectable pathogenic viruses or infectious agents, and the non-metabolic or endocrine activity of biological extracts, enzymes, or proteins, if applicable

• Certificate confirming product safety and the absence of hormones, corticosteroids, CMR substances, and prohibited substances or additives

• List of countries where the product is registered and marketed

• Efficacy and safety studies of products with medicated features. (Upon request)

• Product specifications certificate (e.g., color, Odor, texture, pH, alcohol content, heavy metal content). (Upon request)

Part 4 Cosmetic Ingredient

Ingredients used for the cosmetic products shall comply with the general safety requirements outlined in the GSO 1943 standard, which are generally consistent with the Annexes of the EU cosmetics regulation. There are five ingredient lists in GSO 1943, namely:

• List of Substances Prohibited in Cosmetic Products

• List of Substances Which Cosmetics Products Must Not Contain, Except Subject to Specific Restrictions

• List of Colorants Allowed in Cosmetics Products

• List of Preservatives Allowed in Cosmetics Products

• List of UV Filters Allowed in Cosmetic Products

Besides, according to the Ministerial Decree No. 344/2025, cosmetic ingredients must be free from:

• Ingredients that are poisonous or deleterious, which may cause harm to human health, including CMR-declared ingredients

• Decayed, spoiled, or decomposed ingredients

• Ingredients that have been prepared, processed, or filled by an improper method, which expose the ingredients to contamination

• Cosmetic ingredients are considered misleading if the external label bears incorrect information or does not conform to the specifications of the Ministerial Decree

Part 5 Labeling & Claiming Requirements

5.1 Cosmetic Claims

In Kuwait, cosmetic claims refer to any statement, whether written, audio, visual, or otherwise, aiming to directly or indirectly promote, sell, or market the product. According to the Ministerial Decree 344/2025, there are two types of claims:

• Primary Cosmetic Claim: Claims that are clearly and prominently mentioned or convey the idea to the consumer and describe the main function of the product

• Secondary Cosmetic Claim: Claims that describe the other functions of the product in addition to the primary claim

All Cosmetic claims shall meet the requirements referred to in GSO2528 and the EU Regulation (EC) No. 1223/2009 and their updates, and meet the following criteria:

• Legal Compliance

• Truthfulness

• Evidential support

• Honesty

• Fairness

• Informed decision making

Claims that do not comply with the definition of a cosmetic product and the basic criteria for a cosmetic product approval, including claims to treat a medical condition or a significant change in the body's physiological functions, are not permitted.

5.2 Cosmetic Labeling

5.2.1 Mandatory Label Information

The cosmetic label shall comply with the specifications set forth below and shall be in Arabic and/or English:

• Product name

• Net quantity (volume or weight)

• Manufacturer's name/ MAH name

• Country of origin

• Full list of ingredients

• Directions for use and intended use

• Batch number

• Date of manufacture and expiry (if applicable)

5.2.2 Additional Labeling Requirements and Specifications

• The expiry or minimum durability date must be clearly indicated in month/year or day/month/year format, with additional conditions where necessary to ensure product stability

• Specific precautions to be observed during the use of cosmetic products must be indicated on the product label

• Special warnings shall be printed on the label both in Arabic and/or in English.

• All labeling information shall be printed in an indelible and irremovable manner. Where space is limited, required information may be provided via an enclosed leaflet or attached label.

• Specific product types (e.g., hair dying, hair highlighters, hair straighteners, depilatories) shall contain all label information, including direction of use, sensitivity test, precautions, and warning if any.

• Ingredients shall be listed using INCI names, including fragrance components, solvents, and colorants.

• Fragrance components must be declared as "parfum" or "aroma," and any allergens listed under Annex III of EU Regulation 1223/2009 and GSO 1943 must also be identified.

• Nano materials shall be indicated by the suffix "nano" following the INCI name.

• The product function must be clearly stated on both the primary and secondary packaging, unless it is obvious from presentation, naming, function claims, or visual symbols.

Part 6 Halal Requirements

Halal is a term that comes from the Quran, which means permitted or lawful. As a country with a majority Muslim population, Halal certification in Kuwait ensures that cosmetic products meet religious and ethical standards that are highly valued by consumers. While halal certification is not legally mandated, obtaining it holds significant importance and has a substantial impact on consumer purchasing behavior in the Middle Eastern market.