Egyptian Cosmetics Regulations

Egypt is a growing and important cosmetics market in the Middle East and North Africa region with a regulatory framework largely modeled on the European Union. Before importation or sale, cosmetic products must be notified to the Egyptian Drug Authority (EDA) and assigned a notification number, which is required for legal importation and distribution into the country.

Part 1 Regulatory Framework and Competent Authority

1.1 Main Cosmetic Regulations

Egypt's cosmetic regulatory framework is structured through a series of decrees and technical guidelines, as outlined in the table below.

1.2 Competent Authority

The Egyptian Drug Authority (EDA) is the primary regulator of cosmetics, overseeing regulation, production, importation, notification, circulation, inspection, and post-market control. The Egyptian Organization for Standards and Quality (EOS) supports by issuing mostly voluntary cosmetic standards, while agencies such as the Egyptian Customs Authority assist in import regulation and border enforcement.

Part 2 Cosmetic Definition

According to Law No. 151 of 2019 and Ministerial Decree No. 122 of 2021, Egypt adopts a cosmetic definition aligned with the European Union. A cosmetic product is defined as any substance or preparation intended for application to external parts of the human body (such as the epidermis, hair, nails, lips, and external genital organs) or to the teeth and oral mucous membranes, with the purpose of cleansing, perfuming, altering appearance, correcting body odor, or maintaining in good condition.

Part 3 Premarket Approval

3.1 EDA Notification

All cosmetics sold or imported into Egypt must be notified through the EDA's EgyCosm platform. Once all notification requirements are met and the prescribed fees are paid, the system issues a notification number (10 working days for the normal track, 3 days for the fast track). Notifications are valid for 10 years and renewable if unchanged. Modifications to the notification require a variation application.

Required documents for cosmetic notification include:

• Product name, company details, composition form, artwork, shelf life

• Proof of payment

• Free Sale Certificate & authorization letter (for imported products)

• Toll manufacturing contract (if applicable)

• Scientific references for claims

• Clarification letters if special-condition ingredients are used or discrepancies exist between the ingredient list and the submitted composition form (if any)

3.2 Notification Exemptions

Under the EDA Presidential Decree No. 122/2022, perfumes, toilet waters, colognes, toilet soaps (both solid and liquid), and raw materials/oils sold as finished products without medical claims are exempt from notification. These products are instead regulated by the EOS and must comply with relevant EOS standards, such as ES 3570/2022 for perfumed liquids, which specifies composition, labeling, and safety requirements.

Part 4 Cosmetic Ingredients

Egypt's cosmetic ingredient regulation is largely aligned with the EU Cosmetic Regulation (EC) No. 1223/2009, adopting five annexes:

• Annex II: List of substances prohibited in cosmetic products

• Annex III: List of substances which cosmetic products must not contain except subject to the restrictions laid down

• Annex IV: List of colorants allowed in cosmetic products

• Annex V: List of preservatives allowed in cosmetic products

• Annex VI: List of UV filters allowed in cosmetic products

The EDA supplements these with additional requirements in its Regulatory Guide for Cosmetics Notification (2023) and Claims Guide (2025), which set further ingredient limits.

Part 5 Labeling, Claim, and Advertising

5.1 Cosmetic Labeling

According to the Regulatory Guide for Cosmetics Notification (2023), product artwork shall clearly display:

• Product name/trademark

• Applicant names (Applicant & manufacturer names for local/toll-manufactured products)

• Country of origin

• Notification number (or barcode)

• Net content

• Terms of use, warnings, precautions

• Intended use & instructions

• Ingredient list

• Storage conditions

5.2 Cosmetic Claims

Egypt follows EU rules on cosmetic claims. The Claims Guide (2025) prohibits claims such as:

• Slimming, body contouring

• Anti-callus, anti-cellulite, prevent stretch marks

• Anti-inflammatory, anti-hyperhidrosis

• Anti-pimple/anti-acne (case-by-case)

• Skin tightening, skin sagging, prickly heat

5.3 Cosmetic Advertising

Before launching any advertisements or promotional content for cosmetic products, companies shall ensure compliance with the Regulatory Guide for Cosmetic Products Advertising Materials (2022) and notify the EDA. The advertising materials must primarily use Arabic, with other languages allowed only if consistent with the Arabic content. The information in advertising materials must be verifiable, accurate, clear, and free from exaggeration or misrepresentation.

Part 6 Post-market Surveillance

Cosmetic companies are responsible for their notified products throughout the notification period and for five years after its expiration. They must maintain a post-market surveillance system in line with the EDA Cosmetovigilance Guidelines, including continuous monitoring of product safety, collecting and assessing reports of undesirable effects, updating the Cosmetic Product Safety Report (CPSR), and carrying out recalls when necessary.

Part 7 Halal Requirements

Although halal certification is not mandatory in Egypt, it offers a market advantage due to strong consumer demand. Oversight is provided by the EOS, with reference to the non-mandatory standard ES 7764/2014 on halal cosmetics and personal care, which outlines requirements for compliant ingredients and manufacturing practices.

Should you require the full version of the cosmetic regulation report, please feel free to reach out at [email protected]. Our team will be pleased to provide you with the full documentation to help you navigate the Egyptian cosmetic framework.