A cosmetic product is defined as any substance or preparation that is intended to be placed in contact with the external parts of the human body e.g. skin, hair, nails, lips, or mouth including gums, teeth, tongue, for the purpose of cleaning them, perfuming them, changing their appearance, correcting body odours or protecting them or keeping them in good condition. (Use the Classification Guide for Cosmetic Products to check if a product is a cosmetic or not)

Under the Health Products Act, companies or individuals who intend to sell or supply a cosmetic product in Singapore are required to notify the HSA prior to selling or supplying the product in the local market. They are also required to comply with the requirements under the ASEAN Cosmetic Directive. Furthermore, keeping records on the supply of the cosmetic product is also a requirement for them. The record shall contain information on the name and notification number of the product, name and address of person supplied, and the batch number, date and quantity of product supplied. The records should be kept for 2 years after the date of supply.

Companies or individuals who intend to sell or supply a cosmetic product in Singapore are required to notify the HSA. Before submitting a notification, they shall check that the ingredients in the cosmetic product comply with the requirements of the Annexes of ASEAN Cosmetic Directive (ACD) and the labelling requirements. The notification shall be submitted by using the online Pharmaceutical Regulatory Information System (PRISM). An acknowledgement of notification email will be auto-generated and sent to the applicant's email address if notification has been submitted successfully. Only after the acknowledgement is received the product can be supplied.

Product notification is intended for cosmetic products only. Products notified with HSA that does not meet the cosmetic product's legal definition found in the First Schedule of the Health Products Act may be removed without notice. 

Notification is not required if:

• a cosmetic product that is supplied solely as a sample in connection with any advertising, sponsorship or promotional activity; or
• a cosmetic  product  that  is  supplied  solely  for  testing or  trial  use  in connection with any research or development of that product; or
• a cosmetic  product  that  is  manufactured  by  or  in  accordance  with  the specifications of a medical practitioner, and supplied solely by that medical practitioner for the use of patients under his care.

Subsequent retention of the notification (re-notification) is required every year if the cosmetic product continues to be supplied in the market.