Laos Cosmetic Product Registration

COSMETIC REGISTRATION IN LAOS Regulatory Authority

Food and Drug Department (FDD)

Link for Regulatory Authority

http://www.fdd.gov.la/index_en.php

Who can Register?

• Manufacturers (local or foreign)
• Importers
• Authorized representatives

Special control cosmetics to be distributed in Lao PDR should be registered with the Food and Drug Department, Ministry of Health. Any import of cosmetic products is subject to inspection by the public health sector. Cosmetic products that are to be registered are products containing chemicals according to classification of the Ministry of Health. 

Individuals or organization that intend to advertise cosmetic products, should apply for registration to the Food and Drug Department with the necessary documents and samples as follows:

• Letter of request (according to the form issued by the Food and Drug Department).
• Certificate of trade/business registration.
• Valid free sale certificate from the manufacturing country.
• Samples (as required) in the original package.

Importation of cosmetics:

Individuals or organizations that intend to import cosmetic products should fulfil the following requirements:

1.   The person or enterprise should have relevant experience and have a registered business.
2.  Request a permit from the public health sector for the importation of listed control cosmetics.
3.  Have conditions and facilities for storage and transport of cosmetic products such as to maintain their quality.

Requirements for operating the production of cosmetic products.

Individuals or organizations that intend to establish and operate a business to produce cosmetics, should fulfil following requirements:

1.   Have appropriate technical staff such as: pharmacy or chemist or technical staff experienced in this sector.
2.  Have the necessary facilities to ensure the application of Good Manufacturing Practices such as: availability of a production room, a storage room that complies with requirements and with the necessary equipment.
3.  Availability of a system for the protection and safety of the environment.
4. Before conducting production of cosmetic products, they should apply from the Food and Drug Department, Ministry of Health with a list identifying the products accompanied by the formula and production steps.

The validity of a registration certificate for a cosmetic product is valid for 5 years from the date of signature. 90 days before the expiry date, the owner of the products should submit an application form for renewal of the registration and, if not submitted within this period, the registration certificate will be cancelled.

Cosmetic products that are to be registered, should have labelling in Lao or English language clearly and readable as follows:

1. Name of control cosmetic.

2. Name and amount of chemical that is the main ingredient of the product.

3. Registration number issues by the manufacturing country.

4. Name of manufacturer, address, lot, manufacturing date and expiry date.

5. Instruction for use or warning safety notices.

6. Size of packaging. 

• Certificate of Free Sale (CFS) from the exporting country (optional but highly recommended)
• Certificate of Analysis (COA) from a recognized laboratory is required.