Launching a cosmetic product in Australia: where to start

A brand is preparing to import finished cosmetics into Australia. The products arrive filled and labelled, so nobody in Australia handles the ingredients separately. Does the importer still have industrial-chemical obligations?

Potentially, yes. Australia regulates the introduction of industrial chemicals used in cosmetics, including ingredients in finished products. The business that imports them needs to identify its responsibilities before the shipment arrives.

This guide addresses ordinary cosmetics imported for conventional sale, including skincare, makeup and personal-care products. Their claims and formulas must be checked individually; sunscreens and products with therapeutic claims can follow a different route. Sources were checked on 3 November 2026. For the wider picture, read our comparison of eight markets.

This article was generated with AI and checked against the sources linked below. It has not been independently reviewed by a local regulatory professional.

First decide what the product is

Review the intended use, presentation, ingredients and claims together. Adding a claim about treating a condition, or adding sun protection, can change the assessment. Some sunscreens are regulated as therapeutic goods, so check the specific product with the Therapeutic Goods Administration’s classification guidance.

Record the exact proposed label and online claims alongside the formula. If marketing wants to add a new claim later, return to the classification decision before using it.

Identify who introduces the chemicals

The Australian Industrial Chemicals Introduction Scheme (AICIS) regulates businesses that introduce relevant industrial chemicals by importing or manufacturing them. Its guidance states that a business importing finished cosmetics bought overseas for sale must register before import. It registers the business, not each finished product or ingredient.

For example, if an Australian distributor imports a packaged cream from an overseas manufacturer, identify that distributor as the importer and check its registration. A supplier’s claim that a cosmetic is approved or registered overseas does not replace the Australian importer’s AICIS responsibilities. The scheme says the registration requirement applies regardless of the amount imported, subject to the applicable rules.

Do not assume every activity described as cosmetic manufacturing has the same AICIS consequence. A business that blends locally purchased ingredients may have a different position from one that imports an ingredient or manufactures an industrial chemical. Use AICIS’s activity-specific guidance to assess the actual supply chain.

Check the formula ingredient by ingredient

Registration of the business is a starting point. Obtain enough information from the supplier to identify the industrial chemicals being introduced, including ingredients in blends and fragrance where relevant. Confirm the identity and applicable conditions rather than relying on a trade name alone.

Check each introduction against the Australian Inventory of Industrial Chemicals and the AICIS categorisation rules. An introduction that is not authorised as listed may have another available route, but its category determines what the business must do. For example, certain reported introductions require a pre-introduction report, while some exempted introductions require a one-off post-introduction declaration. An assessed introduction requires an assessment certificate before introduction. The applicable conditions must be checked for the specific chemical and use.

Agree who can provide confidential composition and safety information, how it will be reviewed and which version of the formula the review covers. A supplier change can matter even if the finished-product name stays the same.

Prepare the Australian label and safety evidence

AICIS does not administer all finished-product requirements. The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission explains the mandatory cosmetics ingredient-labelling standard, including ways ingredient information may be supplied in particular circumstances. Assess the final pack and sales presentation against the standard rather than copying another market’s label without review.

Product safety is a separate responsibility. Keep the formulation, ingredient specifications, manufacturing information and evidence supporting safe use together with the Australian label. Check whether any other applicable product rules, warnings or restrictions apply to the product. AICIS registration should not be presented to customers as finished-product approval.

Who is responsible when something goes wrong?

Australia does not use a single cosmetic responsible-person role equivalent to the EU’s. Identify the actual importer or manufacturer introducing industrial chemicals and the suppliers making the consumer product available. Their legal duties differ and can overlap: the introducer must comply with applicable AICIS requirements, while Australian Consumer Law also applies to product safety and mandatory information standards. The ACCC states that manufacturers can be liable for loss or damage caused by a product with a safety defect; whether a particular business is liable depends on the facts and the law.

If a supplier becomes aware that a supplied consumer product caused or may have caused a qualifying death, serious injury or serious illness, it generally must report the incident within two days. The ACCC describes the criteria and exceptions, including incidents reportable under certain other laws. If the report’s due date falls on a weekend or public holiday, the deadline moves to the next business day. This is separate from a recall notice. If a supplier takes a voluntary recall action, Australian Consumer Law also requires notice to the Commonwealth Minister within two days. The ACCC receives these notices. Assign who will collect incident reports and coordinate recall action, while recognising that other suppliers can have their own duties. ACCC: when an incident must be reported; ACCC: recall notification.

Enforcement is not automatic evidence that a particular person is civilly liable. AICIS describes infringement notices, court action for civil penalties and, in applicable cases, cancellation of registration for non-compliance. The ACCC can take enforcement action over breaches of product-safety obligations. Review the nature of the breach, the responsible entity and the applicable remedy. AICIS: enforcement powers; ACCC: product safety laws and liability.

Keep the launch decision current

Record the registered importer, each ingredient decision, the formula and label versions, and the date of the review. AICIS registration needs annual renewal if the business continues introducing relevant industrial chemicals; the registration year ends on 31 August. A business required to register must also submit an annual declaration for each year it introduces an industrial chemical commercially; AICIS states that this is due by 30 November. Check category-specific reporting and recordkeeping obligations separately: a post-introduction declaration for certain exempted introductions is additional to the annual declaration.

After launch, route complaints to the people who can investigate the actual batch and its supply chain. Reassess the Australian position when claims, sourcing, formula or importer change.

Sources

• AICIS: personal care, skincare, make-up and other cosmetic products.
• AICIS: what is registration and who must register?.
• AICIS: post-introduction declarations for exempted introductions.
• AICIS: annual declaration for all introducers.
• ACCC Product Safety: cosmetics ingredients labelling mandatory standard.
• Therapeutic Goods Administration: determining if your product is a cosmetic or therapeutic good.