Private label cosmetics for Nigeria, Kenya and South Africa, made in India

Africa is not one regulatory market. Each country sets its own rules, and this page covers three of them: Nigeria, Kenya and South Africa. Nigeria has a full product registration system run by NAFDAC. Kenya applies standards and conformity checks through the Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS), and the Pharmacy and Poisons Board also has a role in cosmetics. South Africa controls cosmetics under the Foodstuffs, Cosmetics and Disinfectants Act. We make private label products in our own facility in Ambala, Haryana, India, and support the local applicant or importer with documents.

Who is legally responsible when you sell cosmetics in these markets?

In each market the local business that registers or imports the product carries responsibility, not the overseas manufacturer.

• Nigeria. NAFDAC's guideline for imported cosmetics asks the applicant for evidence of business incorporation by Nigeria's Corporate Affairs Commission. An applicant acting for an overseas manufacturer files a power of attorney from that manufacturer. A brand owner using a contract manufacturer files a contract manufacturing agreement signed by both parties.
• Kenya. The Kenyan importer deals with KEBS on conformity and with any other authority that covers the product.
• South Africa. The Foodstuffs, Cosmetics and Disinfectants Act sets offences for anyone who sells, or manufactures or imports for sale, a cosmetic that breaks its rules. The importer is the party that answers for the goods there.

We do not hold a registration or licence in any of these countries. We are the manufacturer and provide the documents the local party needs.

Nigeria: NAFDAC registration

NAFDAC states that no cosmetic may be manufactured, imported, exported, advertised, sold, distributed or used in Nigeria unless it is registered. Applications are made on NAFDAC's online portal, NAPAMS, with a separate application for each product. The guideline for imported cosmetics sets out these stages:

1. Documents. Uploaded to NAPAMS, including the power of attorney or contract manufacturing agreement, trademark registration evidence, label artwork, a certificate of manufacture and free sale from the relevant authority in the country of manufacture, a letter inviting NAFDAC to inspect the factory, and a comprehensive certificate of analysis.
2. Import permit. Issued after documents are screened, so samples can be brought in.
3. Laboratory analysis. Samples are submitted for testing.
4. Inspection and approval. NAFDAC carries out a GMP inspection of the production facility, then products go before its registration committee.
5. Registration certificate. Issued to the applicant for approved products.

The free sale certificate must be authenticated by the Nigerian mission in the country of manufacture. Registration does not include permission to advertise, which is a separate NAFDAC application. NAFDAC's labelling regulations require all label information to be in English, though other languages may be added.

Kenya: KEBS, PVoC and the Pharmacy and Poisons Board

KEBS describes its Pre-Export Verification of Conformity (PVoC) programme as conformity assessment carried out in the exporting country against Kenya standards and other applicable rules. Consignments that conform receive a certificate of conformity before shipment. KEBS says goods that do not conform will not be allowed into Kenya. KEBS also lists exemptions, such as goods regulated by other government agencies, so your importer should confirm whether your products go through PVoC and which inspection body covers shipments from India.

The Pharmacy and Poisons Board and KEBS have reviewed Kenya's cosmetic regulation framework together, taking account of East African Community standards for cosmetics. Which body handles your product can depend on its type and claims, so ask your importer to confirm this before formulas and labels are fixed.

South Africa: the Foodstuffs, Cosmetics and Disinfectants Act

The Act covers the sale, manufacture and import of cosmetics. It defines a cosmetic as a product applied to the body for purposes such as cleansing, perfuming, conditioning or improving appearance, and excludes medicines under the Medicines and Related Substances Act. Medicines are regulated by the South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (SAHPRA). The Act makes it an offence to sell or import for sale a cosmetic containing a prohibited substance, or one described in a false or misleading way. The Department of Health has published proposed regulations on cosmetic labelling, advertising and composition. Ask your importer which requirements currently apply.

Labelling: language and what typically goes on the label

Nigeria's labelling regulations list brand name, statement of identity, batch number, net content, expiry date, the manufacturer's name and address including country of origin, the NAFDAC registration number and storage conditions. They also require a full ingredient list in decreasing order of predominance, with English as the label language. For Kenya and South Africa, confirm the current label content and language rules with your importer. In every market, keep claims cosmetic, because medicinal wording can bring a product under medicines rules.

Documents your importer will usually ask us for

• Full ingredient list with INCI names, plus formula details where requested
• Product specification, safety data sheet (SDS) and stability information
• Certificate of analysis for the batch, with batch number and manufacturing and expiry dates
• For Nigeria, the power of attorney or contract manufacturing agreement, the certificate of manufacture and free sale, and the GMP inspection invitation letter
• Label artwork for each market
• Commercial invoice, packing list and certificate of origin, plus any certificate of conformity your importer arranges

Our testing and documents service prepares the product paperwork. Tell us each destination country at the start.

Which ranges suit these markets?

• Body care, such as lotions and creams and body butters, everyday products that fit a straightforward registration file.
• Hair care, including shampoo, conditioner and hair treatments.
• Hotel amenities for hospitality buyers.

Nigeria needs one registration per product, so a focused first range is easier to manage than a large one.

How an order to Nigeria, Kenya or South Africa works with us

1. Brief. Name the countries, the local applicant or importer and the products.
2. Documents first. We prepare the manufacturer documents and artwork, so registration or conformity steps can start.
3. Samples. Samples are available for approval and for any official testing. Ready formulas start from 500 units per product.
4. Production and shipping. Our fulfilment and export service ships once your importer confirms the goods can be cleared.

The how it works page explains our process, and our guide to exporting cosmetics from India covers export documents in general. Our facility is ISO certified and GMP-compliant. These are facts about how we manufacture, not approvals in any African market.

Next step

Send your countries and product list through the inquiry form for Africa. Requirements in these markets change, so confirm current rules with your importer or a local regulatory adviser before you order.