United Arab Emirates (UAE) Cosmetic Regulation

As a member of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), the UAE follows applicable Gulf standards to regulate cosmetic products, mainly including GSO 1943, GSO 2528, and GSO 2020. Additionally, products must obtain a Conformity Certificate from the Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology (MoIAT) and be registered in the emirate where they are intended to be sold before being permitted on the market.

Part 1 Regulatory Framework and Competent Authority

1.1 Main Cosmetic Regulations

The UAE cosmetic regulatory framework is comprehensively structured through a series of national laws and technical guidelines, as outlined in the table below.

1.2 Competent Authority

Cosmetic products in the UAE are primarily overseen by the following competent authorities. Together, these regulatory bodies ensure that cosmetics sold in the UAE comply with safety standards and quality requirements to safeguard consumer health and well-being.

• The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC): The GCC is the leading political and economic organization in the Gulf region, comprising the UAE, Oman, Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait, and Saudi Arabia.

• The GCC Standardization Organization (GSO): GSO works to harmonize standards across member states and has developed regulations across various sectors, including cosmetics.

• Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology (MoIAT): It supervises the safety and quality of cosmetics produced in and imported to the UAE and is responsible for issuing the Emirates Conformity Assessment Scheme (ECAS) certification.

• The Dubai Municipality (DM): DM regulates the manufacture, sale, and importation of cosmetic and personal care products by requiring product registration before placing them in the Dubai market.

Part 2 Cosmetic Definition

According to GSO 1943, cosmetics refer to any substance or mixture intended to be placed in contact with the external parts of the human body (epidermis, 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, to perfume, to change the appearance, to protect, to keep in good condition and to correct body odors.

Part 3 Premarket Approval

3.1 GSO Requirements

As a member of GCC, the UAE follows the GSO standards, outlined in several key regulations: GSO 1943, GSO 2528, and GSO 2020. These technical standards are closely aligned with the EU cosmetic requirements, Regulation (EC) No. 1223/2009.

3.2 ECAS Certification

The Emirates Conformity Assessment Scheme (ECAS) is a mandatory certification program administered by MoIAT. It requires all cosmetic and personal care products, whether imported or locally manufactured, to meet established quality and safety standards before being placed on the UAE market. Under this regulatory framework, traders, importers, and manufacturers shall obtain a Certificate of Conformity (CoC) for their products. This certificate is essential for customs clearance and serves as proof of compliance with the applicable technical standards.

3.3 Cosmetic Registration

After obtaining the CoC, cosmetics shall be registered with the relevant emirate municipality where the products are intended to be sold. For instance, in Dubai, products shall be registered with the Dubai Municipality. Below is a brief introduction to cosmetic registration in Dubai.

Cosmetic companies shall register their cosmetic products through the Montaji system. Cosmetic registration is valid for 5 years. According to the Technical Guidelines for Cosmetics and Personal Care Products, the following documents are required for cosmetic registration with the Dubai Municipality.

• Free Sale Certificate (FSC)

• Ingredient Report

• Good Manufacturing Practice

• Laboratory Test Report

• Other Documents

Part 4 Cosmetic Ingredient

The use of ingredients in cosmetic products shall comply with the general safety requirements outlined in the GSO 1943 standard. It includes five ingredient lists, 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

Part 5 Labeling & Claiming Requirements

5.1 Cosmetic Labeling

Cosmetic labeling in the UAE is strictly regulated to ensure transparency for consumers. Cosmetics should be labeled under Cabinet Decision No. 18 of 2014 on the UAE Regulation for the Control of Cosmetics and Personal Care Products and GSO 1943.

5.2 Cosmetic Claiming

GSO 2528 sets out the criteria for permissible claims on cosmetic products. All claims shall be in line with the common principles of legal compliance, truthfulness, evidential support, honesty, fairness, and informed decision-making. Claims suggesting medical treatment, such as stopping aging, killing germs, and treating acne, are unacceptable.

Part 6 Halal Requirements

To comply with the cultural and religious customs of GCC countries, cosmetics are generally expected to be free from pork-derived ingredients. As a result, halal certification holds significant importance and has a substantial impact on consumer purchasing behavior in the Middle Eastern market. While halal certification is not legally mandated in the UAE, any product with a halal claim must obtain halal certification. Nevertheless, cosmetic companies still pursue halal certification to ensure their products adhere to Islamic principles and appeal to local consumers.