Private label cosmetics for Singapore and Malaysia, made in India

Singapore and Malaysia both regulate cosmetics in line with the ASEAN Cosmetic Directive (ACD). The ingredient annexes and the core label list are therefore largely shared, and one formula and one artwork set can often serve both markets. The pre-market step is separate in each country, though. In Singapore, a local company notifies the Health Sciences Authority (HSA). In Malaysia, a locally incorporated Cosmetic Notification Holder notifies the National Pharmaceutical Regulatory Agency (NPRA). We manufacture in India and supply the formula data, label support and documents both notifiers need.

Who is legally responsible when you sell cosmetics in Singapore and Malaysia?

Singapore

Cosmetics are controlled under the Health Products Act and the Health Products (Cosmetic Products – ASEAN Cosmetic Directive) Regulations, administered by HSA. Manufacturers and importers must notify products before supplying them in Singapore, and the notifying company must be a local entity registered with ACRA. HSA does not evaluate or approve products, so the company remains responsible for safety and quality. That includes keeping supply records, submitting safety and technical information when asked, reporting adverse events and recalling unsafe products.

Malaysia

Cosmetics are controlled under the Control of Drugs and Cosmetics Regulations 1984, made under the Sale of Drugs Act 1952. The responsible party is the Cosmetic Notification Holder (CNH), the company that places the product on the market. The CNH must be a locally incorporated company with a permanent address, registered with the Companies Commission of Malaysia for health or cosmetic business. It may or may not own the brand. The CNH must keep a product information file and make sure the manufacturer follows cosmetic GMP. It also reports serious adverse events and handles recalls.

In both countries, that party is your importer, distributor or your own local company. We hold no notification in either market for your products.

What has to happen before products go on sale?

Singapore: HSA notification through PRISM

1. Check the ingredients against the ACD annexes and the label against the labelling requirements.
2. Register the local entity with ACRA, then set up a Corppass account and an HSA CRIS account.
3. Submit a cosmetic product notification in PRISM. Each variant, such as each lipstick shade or shampoo scent, needs its own notification. Different pack sizes of the same product do not.
4. Start selling once the acknowledgement of notification is issued. The acknowledgement is not an endorsement of the product.

Notifications must be renewed to keep selling. Samples supplied only for promotion, and products supplied only for testing or development, do not need notification but must still meet the other requirements.

Malaysia: NPRA notification through QUEST

1. The CNH registers for membership of NPRA's QUEST online system.
2. The CNH completes a notification form for each product and variant. The form covers product details, the manufacturer and any assembler, the importer, and the full ingredient list with the percentage of restricted ingredients. It also needs the label and the relevant authorisation letters.
3. The CNH confirms that a safety assessment has been carried out for the product.
4. The product may be manufactured or imported once the Notification Note is issued.

Documents submitted to NPRA must be in Bahasa Malaysia or English. Notifications must be renewed, and changes to a notified product must be reported.

What must the label show in each market?

Both countries follow the ASEAN cosmetic labelling list. It covers:

• Product name and function, unless clear from the presentation.
• Directions for use, unless clear from the name or presentation.
• Full ingredient list in descending order of weight, using standard nomenclature such as INCI. Fragrance may appear as "perfume" or "fragrance", and botanicals by genus and species.
• Country of manufacture, for example "Made in India".
• Name and address of the local responsible company.
• Net contents by weight or volume.
• Batch number.
• Manufacturing or expiry date. An expiry date is mandatory for products with a shorter minimum durability.
• Special precautions, including warnings that the ACD annexes require for certain ingredients.

Point	Singapore	Malaysia
Label language	English. Other languages may be added if they match the English.	Bahasa Malaysia and/or English
Local party on label	Company or person responsible for placing the product on the market	Cosmetic Notification Holder (CNH)
Animal-origin ingredients	Confirm with your importer	A statement is required, and bovine or porcine sources must be named
Notifying system	HSA PRISM	NPRA QUEST

An English label with the local company's details on a sticker or carton can serve both markets. Check with each importer first. Our custom packaging service handles printed packs and outer cartons.

Which documents will your importers ask us for?

• Full ingredient list with INCI names and concentrations, flagging any restricted ingredients.
• Letters for Malaysia. NPRA uses a letter of authorisation from the product owner, or a letter of declaration if the CNH owns the brand. It also uses a letter of contract manufacturing between the product owner and the contract manufacturer.
• GMP evidence. For overseas manufacturers, NPRA asks for proof of cosmetic GMP compliance on request, issued or endorsed by an authorised body in the country of manufacture. Our facility is GMP-compliant and ISO certified. These are facility facts, not approvals in either market.
• Product information file content. Quality, safety and claim support, including the specification, stability and compatibility information and data for the safety assessment. NPRA requires the file in Bahasa Malaysia or English.
• Certificate of analysis for each batch, and a safety data sheet.
• Label artwork for review and notification.
• Trade documents. Commercial invoice, packing list and certificate of origin.

Our testing and documents service prepares this set. Tell us early if you need an animal-origin statement or Halal documentation. Our facility holds Halal certification, and we can confirm what it covers for your product.

Which ranges suit Singapore and Malaysia?

HSA's guidance says products intended for treatment, such as acne treatment creams, are not cosmetics. So build your line from clearly cosmetic products.

• Cleansers and serums make a compact skincare line. Keep serum claims cosmetic.
• Body wash and lotions suit retail and online channels.
• Shampoo and conditioner work as a starter hair line. Each scent is a separate notification.

Shade and scent variants each need their own notification, so start with a focused range.

How does an order to Singapore and Malaysia work with us?

1. Brief. List the products, variants and your notifier in each country. The how it works page explains our steps.
2. Ingredient check against the ACD annexes by your importers or adviser.
3. Samples and artwork. Approve samples and a label that works for one or both markets.
4. Documents. We issue the formula data, letters and technical file.
5. Notification. Your Singapore company notifies through PRISM, and your Malaysian CNH notifies through QUEST.
6. Production and shipping. Ready formulas start from 500 units per product. Our fulfilment and export service can split cartons and paperwork by destination.

Read our guide to exporting cosmetics from India for the wider process.

Next step

Share your product list and your notifier in each country through the Singapore and Malaysia inquiry form. Requirements and the ACD annexes are updated regularly, so confirm current rules with your importers or a regulatory adviser before you notify or ship.