Ultimo aggiornamento 16 June 2026
Introduction – What Is the Certificate of Free Sale for Cosmetics and What Is It For?
In the European market, cosmetic products may be freely placed on the market without the need to obtain prior authorization from the authorities.
The European system, governed by Regulation (EC) No. 1223/2009, is based on the principle of responsibility of the manufacturer or the Responsible Person, who must ensure that every cosmetic product is safe, properly labeled, and compliant with the requirements established by the legislation.
In other words, there is no “official” authorization issued by the European Union prior to the sale of a cosmetic product.
Yet, when a European company decides to export its cosmetics to countries outside the EU—such as the United Arab Emirates, South Korea, or Saudi Arabia—local authorities often require official proof that the products are already legally marketed and safe in their country of origin.
This document is the Certificate of Free Sale (CLV), also known as the Free Sale Certificate.
This is an official document issued by the relevant Italian authorities, such as the Ministry of Health or the Chamber of Commerce, certifying that the product complies with European regulations and may be freely sold on the EU market.
The reason why non-EU countries require this certificate is simple: since they cannot directly verify compliance with European regulations, they rely on an official document confirming that the cosmetic product has already been assessed as safe and compliant by a recognized and reliable regulatory system.
In practice, the free sale certificate serves as a “commercial passport” for European cosmetics, opening the door to new markets and streamlining customs and registration procedures in the destination countries.
When is a Certificate of Free Sale required?
Now that we’ve clarified what the Certificate of Free Sale (CLV) is, let’s look at the situations in which it’s actually necessary to apply for one.
The CLV is a document required only for exports to non-EU countries—that is, markets that do not apply the European Cosmetics Regulation and that, before accepting an import, require official confirmation of the product’s compliance in its country of origin.
- Exports to non-EU countries
This is the most common situation.
Many countries outside the European Union do not directly recognize European regulations and therefore require the CLV as official proof that the cosmetic product:
- complies with the requirements of Regulation (EC) No. 1223/2009;
- is actually available on the European market;
- It is safe for human use.
Among the countries that most frequently request a certificate of free sale are:
- Middle Eastern and Asian countries, such as China and Vietnam
- Brazil and other South American countries
In some cases, the local authority accepts only the ministerial CLV (issued by the Ministry of Health), while in others a certificate issued by the Chamber of Commerce may be sufficient.
In addition, many countries require a cosmetic registration procedure with the local Ministry of Health or health authority.
The CLV is one of the key documents to be included in the registration dossier, along with the product-specific documentation.
In short, the Certificate of Free Sale is required whenever a European cosmetic product needs to “cross borders” and demonstrate its compliance to a foreign authority or business partner.
Without it, the export may be delayed, suspended, or rejected.
In the next section, we will look at who is eligible to apply for it and which authority issues it, as well as the differences between the ministerial certificate and the Chamber of Commerce certificate.
Who can apply for it and who issues it
The Certificate of Free Sale for cosmetics may be requested
by the person in charge, technical director, or legal representative of the company intending to export cosmetic products to countries outside the European Union, or by the contract manufacturer of such products.
Who issues the Certificate of Free Sale
In Italy, you can apply for the CLV from the Ministry of Health or for the certificate of free sale from the Chamber of Commerce in the province or region where the company operates
| Document | Issuing authority | International recognition | When to apply |
| Ministerial CLV | Ministry of Health | High: recognized by most non-EU countries | For exports to countries that require an official certificate issued by the health authority. |
| Chamber of Commerce Certificate | Chamber of Commerce | Medium: accepted by some countries or for general commercial use | For exports to countries that do not require ministerial certifications, or for trade shows, tenders, and private distribution |
Processing times vary by agency: theMinistry of Health takes 30 days from the date the application is accepted.
The CLV may be drafted in Italian, English, or Spanish.
Why You Should Hire an Expert Consultant to Obtain the CLV
Obtaining a certificate of free sale may seem like a simple bureaucratic formality, but an error in the documentation can slow down the process or jeopardize the entire export.
Working with experienced professionals in the cosmetics and regulatory sectors allows you to save time, avoid mistakes, and ensure that the certificate is issued correctly the first time.
With Chemicals Consulting, you can count on:
- direct experience in handling international cases and government documentation;
- Customized support for professional cosmetics lines, private labels, or emerging brands;
- End-to-end process management, from document review to certificate application.
Request your Certificate of Free Sale now
If you need to export cosmetics to a non-EU country, we can help you obtain the Certificate of Free Sale in a simple, secure, and compliant manner.
👉 Request information about the CLV service
Compliance isn’t just a requirement—it’s the key to accessing international markets.
We’ll help you do it the right way.
