"Pharmaplast began to work with CE.way almost one year ago. CE.way is our cosmetics consultant who look after compilation of PIF, safety assessments and CPNP notifications. Working with CE.way has been a joy so far. Their replies are very swift and Mr Tadej is very cooperative, helpful and with a deep knowledge about the cosmetics regulations."
ACD regulations
ASEAN Cosmetic Regulations
Navigate ASEAN cosmetic regulations with confidence — from formula and label review to PIF preparation, based on the ASEAN Cosmetics Directive.
ASEAN Cosmetic DirectiveProduct Information FileACD Annex Compliance
ASEAN · ASEAN Cosmetic Directive
CE.way helps cosmetic brands comply with ASEAN cosmetic regulations, including product notification requirements, labelling rules, ingredient restrictions under the ACD annexes, and Product Information File preparation — across all 10 ACD member states.
15 years
of experience
40+ countries
client base
IE100 Awards Winner 2026
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Requirements overview
What do you need for ASEAN?
A summary of the key requirements before placing cosmetic products across ASEAN member states.
01
Product Notification
Most ASEAN countries follow a notification system rather than full registration. Companies must notify the relevant local authority in each member state before placing a product on the market.
02
Product Information File (PIF)
A mandatory dossier covering product composition, raw material specifications, manufacturing method (GMP), safety assessment, adverse effects data, and evidence supporting product claims.
03
Labeling Compliance
Labels must include product function, ingredient list, manufacturer and distributor details, nominal quantity, batch number, expiry date, and applicable precautions for use.
04
Ingredient Compliance
Formulations must comply with ACD annexes listing prohibited substances, restricted ingredients, and permitted colorants, preservatives, and UV filters.
Our services
How we can help
A full range of regulatory services tailored for the ASEAN cosmetic market.
01
Formula Review
Ingredient-by-ingredient review against the ACD prohibited and restricted substance lists and permitted colorants, preservatives, and UV filters.
02
Labeling and Claim Review
Full compliance check against ACD labeling requirements, ensuring all mandatory elements are present and country-specific rules are met.
03
Safety Assessment
Comprehensive safety evaluation prepared for the finished product, covering ingredients, chemical structure, and level of exposure.
04
PIF Preparation
Compilation and maintenance of a complete Product Information File using EU/UK regulation as the main reference, adapted to ACD guidelines.
Regulatory framework
Applicable legislation
Regulatory framework
Applicable legislation
The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) consists of 10 countries, including:
- Brunei Darussalam
- Cambodia
- Indonesia
- Laos
- Malaysia
- Myanmar
- The Philippines
- Singapore
- Thailand
- Timor-Leste
The ASEAN Cosmetic Directive (ACD), which came into force in 2008, harmonized the requirements for cosmetic products among these countries to facilitate the movement of goods and reduce trade barriers.
Product scope
What type of products are cosmetics?
Product scope
What type of products are cosmetics?
The ACD defines a cosmetic product as follows:
A cosmetic product shall mean any substance or preparation intended to be placed in contact with the various 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 cleaning them, perfuming them, changing their appearance, and/or correcting body odours and/or protecting them or keeping them in good condition.
Although the FDA in several ASEAN member countries has its own category of traditional/herbal products, all products that fall within the scope of the above definition will be classified as cosmetics, regardless of whether they contain herbal ingredients. Products outside this scope cannot be registered as cosmetics.
Regulatory requirements
Requirements
Regulatory requirements
Requirements
The ASEAN Cosmetic Directive (ACD) was fully implemented in all member states on January 1, 2008. Some provisions that have been harmonized include guidelines pertaining to product registration or notification, labeling, use of prohibited and restricted substances, and post-market surveillance.
While national regulatory agencies in each ASEAN member state have the authority to manage local notifications and required documents for product registration, the ACD helps align the major elements necessary for notification, including the Product Information File (PIF). The ACD does not mandate adherence to a specific PIF format but provides the following outline:
- The qualitative and quantitative composition of the product. In the case of perfume compositions, the name, code number of the composition, and the identity of the supplier.
- Specifications of the raw materials and finished product.
- The method of manufacture, complying with good manufacturing practices as outlined in the ASEAN Guidelines.
- An assessment of the safety for human health of the finished product, its ingredients, their chemical structure, and level of exposure.
- Existing data on undesirable effects on human health resulting from the use of the cosmetic product.
- Supporting data for claimed benefits of cosmetic products to justify the nature of their effect.
The ACD also specifies labeling requirements for cosmetic products. The label must include the following:
- Product function
- List of ingredients
- Manufacturer's name and address
- Details of the distributor or importer
- Nominal quantity of the product
- Batch number
- Expiry date
- Particular precautions for use
The ACD annexes provide lists of allowed substances, banned or restricted substances, and lists of permitted coloring agents, preservatives, and UV filters.
Additionally, the ACD requires cosmetic manufacturers to notify the regulatory authorities in each ASEAN member state of any changes to their products, whether minor or major. These changes, such as formula modifications or packaging updates, ensure that regulatory authorities remain aware of alterations that might affect product safety.
Why CE.way
Why brands choose CE.way for ASEAN?
From startups to established brands, we help companies navigate the ASEAN market with confidence.
International compliance expertise
Serving clients across 40+ countries with deep regulatory knowledge of multi-country markets.
Fast turnaround times
All reviews and testing reports are completed efficiently to keep your market launch on schedule across all member states.
In-house laboratory support
Our own lab in Slovenia provides safety testing to support ACD safety assessment requirements.
Experience with ASEAN requirements
Proven track record with PIF preparation, safety assessment, label and ingredient compliance reviews.
Support for startups and established brands
Flexible services for first-time ASEAN exporters and large multi-SKU portfolios alike.
Getting started
What's the process?
Three steps to launch compliant cosmetics across ASEAN.
01
Share your product details
Formulas, labels, target market. A short discovery call is enough to scope your project.
02
We review compliance requirements
Ingredient review, label compliance, safety assessment, and PIF preparation — handled end-to-end.
03
Notify and launch your products in ASEAN
Receive support for compliant market entry across multiple ASEAN member states with ongoing regulatory coverage.
ASEAN cosmetics regulations
FAQ
The ASEAN Cosmetic Directive (ACD) is a regulatory framework introduced in 2008 to harmonize cosmetic regulations across ASEAN member states. Its main objective is to facilitate cosmetics trade, ensure product safety, and reduce regulatory barriers between South East Asia countries such as Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, and others.
The ACD applies to all ASEAN member states, including Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Timor-Leste. While the directive harmonizes core requirements, each country still manages its own local notification process and regulatory enforcement.
A cosmetic product is defined as any substance applied to external parts of the body (skin, hair, nails, lips, etc.) or oral cavity for purposes such as cleaning, perfuming, protecting, or improving appearance. Even products with herbal or traditional ingredients can be classified as cosmetics if they fall within this definition.
Most ASEAN countries follow a notification system rather than full registration. This means that companies must notify the relevant local authority before placing a product on the market. Requirements may vary slightly by country, but the ACD ensures a consistent overall framework.
The Product Information File (PIF) is a mandatory document that contains all relevant information about a cosmetic product. It must be readily available for inspection by authorities and typically includes:
- Product composition (qualitative and quantitative)
- Raw material and finished product specifications
- Manufacturing method (GMP compliance)
- Safety assessment
- Data on adverse effects
- Evidence supporting product claims
Although the ACD provides guidelines, the exact structure of the PIF is not strictly standardized.
Cosmetic labels in ASEAN must include key information such as:
- Product function
- Ingredient list
- Manufacturer and distributor details
- Net quantity
- Batch number
- Expiry date
- Warnings and precautions
Labels must comply with both ACD requirements and any additional country-specific rules.
Yes, the ACD includes annexes listing prohibited substances, restricted ingredients, and permitted colorants, preservatives, and UV filters. Manufacturers must ensure that their formulations fully comply with these lists to avoid regulatory issues.
Yes, compliance with Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) is required under the ASEAN guidelines. This ensures that products are consistently produced and controlled according to quality and safety standards.
Any changes to a cosmetic product, including formulation updates, packaging changes, or labeling adjustments, must be reported to each country's regulatory authority where the products are registered. This ensures continued compliance and allows authorities to monitor product safety.
To successfully enter ASEAN markets, companies often rely on regulatory support services such as:
- Formula and ingredient review
- Labeling and claims compliance
- Safety assessment
- PIF preparation and maintenance (using EU/UK regulation as the main reference)
These services help ensure full compliance with the ACD while simplifying entry into multiple ASEAN countries.
Client reviews
Trusted by 1000+ cosmetic brands worldwide.
Pulled from verified Google reviews — independent, unedited, and updated continuously.
"We were looking for a stand-alone service, not too sure what to expect... The professionalism, the assistance and the responsiveness were very much appreciated, amongst the best we have ever experienced."
"We are a small manufacturing company located in the US. We recently used CE.way Regulatory Consultants to help guide us through the Cosmetic regulatory changes that have taken place in the EU. They were instrumental in helping us understand the new laws and streamline the entire process. I would highly recommend their services."
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Ready to launch your cosmetic products in ASEAN?
Speak with our regulatory experts about ASEAN compliance and PIF requirements across all 10 member states.
