Korean Cosmetics Certifications: CPNP, MoCRA, NMPA, HALAL and More
A short guide to the cosmetic registrations importers ask about: what each one means, which market it is needed for, and what to request from a Korean supplier.
When you source cosmetics from Korea for resale, the first practical question is which market the product is already documented for. Each major market has its own notification or registration system, and it determines whether you can legally import and sell the product.
Below is a short breakdown of the registrations Korean manufacturers most often list, including those Teranova works with.
CPNP — European Union
CPNP (Cosmetic Products Notification Portal) is the EU cosmetics notification portal. Notification is mandatory before a product is placed on the European Union market; behind it stand a Responsible Person in the EU and a complete product dossier.
If an item has already completed CPNP notification, it noticeably simplifies entry into EU markets.
MoCRA — United States
MoCRA (Modernization of Cosmetics Regulation Act) is the updated U.S. cosmetics regulation. It introduces facility registration and product listing, along with safety and labeling requirements.
A MoCRA compliance marker from a supplier is a signal that the manufacturer is oriented toward the American market.
NMPA — China
NMPA (National Medical Products Administration) covers cosmetics registration and notification in China. China's requirements are among the strictest, so having NMPA for at least part of the range is a notable advantage.
SCPN, HALAL and Other Markers
SCPN is a cosmetic product notification used for a number of markets. HALAL is halal certification for Muslim markets (Indonesia, Malaysia, the Middle East). Other markers also appear, for example DAV.
It is important to understand: the certification-based product lists a manufacturer sends are its own data, not copies of official certificates. Copies of supporting documents are requested separately at the deal stage.
What to Request From a Supplier
The practical minimum: which markets the product is already prepared for (CPNP / MoCRA / NMPA, etc.), for which specific items this is confirmed, and which documents the manufacturer is ready to provide upon signing a contract.
Teranova collects this data for every vetted supplier and requests confirmations so you can see right away what fits your market. One example is the Dr.SANTE profile, where registrations are listed per individual item.