Southeast Asia · Malaysia
What does it take to sell cosmetics in Malaysia? Entry route, responsibility, labeling
Pre-market cosmetic notification via the QUEST 3+ online system; Responsible person: The Cosmetic Notification Holder (CNH) must be a Malaysian …; Labeling: Labels in Bahasa Malaysia and/or English with pro….
Latest change 2026-07-06 — NPRA Circular No. 2/2026 revised the Guidelines' annexes (prohibited, restricted, colourants, preservatives) to adopt the 43rd ACC amendments, following Circular No. 1/2026 of 2026-01-26 and the 2025-07-10 revision that banned 2-ethylhexanoic acid and TMPTA and restricted salicylic acid. Source
Factory-side digest; the official text prevails; not legal advice.
- Authority
- National Pharmaceutical Regulatory Agency (NPRA), Ministry of Health
- Main regulation
- CDCR 1984, Regulation 18A (notified cosmetics) · Control of Drugs and Cosmetics Regulations 1984 (under the Sale of Drugs Act 1952) and the Guidelines for Control of Cosmetic Products in Malaysia
- In force
- 1984
- Market entry
- Pre-market cosmetic notification via the QUEST 3+ online system; the notification is valid 2 years and must be renewed at least 1 month before expiry.
- Responsible person
- The Cosmetic Notification Holder (CNH) must be a Malaysian company or legal entity registered with the Companies Commission (SSM) with a permanent local address.
- Safety file
- Product Information File (ACD Art. 8) with safety assessment held by the CNH and made available to NPRA on request.
- Labeling
- Labels in Bahasa Malaysia and/or English with product name, function, full ingredient list (INCI), country of manufacture, CNH name/address, contents, batch, manufacturing/expiry date and required warnings; halal claims only with JAKIM certification.
- Animal testing
- No ban and no requirement.
- Ingredient lists
- Guidelines for Control of Cosmetic Products in Malaysia, Annex I Parts 1–7 (ACD Annexes II–VII as adopted by NPRA).
- Notes
- CDCR dates from 1984; the notification regime under Reg. 18A has applied since ACD implementation on 2008-01-01.
- Look up this inventory here
- 东盟 · ASEAN Cosmetic Directive — Annexes
- Official text
- https://www.npra.gov.my/index.php/en/cosmetic-main-page.html
FAQ
Does Malaysia require notification or registration before sale?
Pre-market cosmetic notification via the QUEST 3+ online system; the notification is valid 2 years and must be renewed at least 1 month before expiry.
Is a local responsible person mandatory in Malaysia?
The Cosmetic Notification Holder (CNH) must be a Malaysian company or legal entity registered with the Companies Commission (SSM) with a permanent local address.
What are the labeling requirements in Malaysia?
Labels in Bahasa Malaysia and/or English with product name, function, full ingredient list (INCI), country of manufacture, CNH name/address, contents, batch, manufacturing/expiry date and required warnings; halal claims only with JAKIM certification.
What changed recently in Malaysia cosmetic regulation?
2026-07-06 NPRA Circular No. 2/2026 revised the Guidelines' annexes (prohibited, restricted, colourants, preservatives) to adopt the 43rd ACC amendments, following Circular No. 1/2026 of 2026-01-26 and the 2025-07-10 revision that banned 2-ethylhexanoic acid and TMPTA and restricted salicylic acid.
Manufacturing for Malaysia · by category
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Entering Malaysia? Send the product type and we reply with the factory-side document list and lead time. Send an inquiry