Sell Cosmetics in Finland: Compliance Guide

• Tukes (Finnish Safety and Chemicals Agency) is the competent authority for cosmetics in Finland under Regulation (EC) 1223/2009.
• Required labelling must be in both Finnish AND Swedish — both languages are mandatory; this bilingual requirement is unique across all EU member states.
• Finnish Customs carries out additional border controls for cosmetics imported from third countries.

1. The EU framework applies — notify once, sell everywhere

Finland applies Regulation (EC) 1223/2009 directly — the harmonised rules that govern cosmetic products across the entire European Union. There is no parallel national regime: the safety, composition, and labelling rules are the same as in the rest of the EU.

In practice, selling in Finland within the EU framework means meeting four common obligations that are not specific to this country:

• A single CPNP notification covers the entire EU market, including Finland.
• A single EU-established Responsible Person is accountable for the product.
• A single product information file (PIF), which includes the cosmetic product safety report (CPSR).

This guide does not repeat that common framework — it focuses on what is specific to Finland. For the cross-cutting concepts, see also what the CosIng database is and how to use it.

2. The national competent authority

The competent authority for cosmetics in Finland is Tukes — Turvallisuus- ja kemikaalivirasto (in Swedish: Säkerhets- och kemikalieverket) / Finnish Safety and Chemicals Agency. Tukes oversees compliance with Regulation 1223/2009 in the Finnish market and has jurisdiction over cosmetics under the Act on Cosmetic Products (the national Finnish act implementing the Regulation).

Its official website provides guidance and documentation for businesses: tukes.fi/en/chemicals/cosmetics.

Finnish Customs acts as a complementary second line of supervision for products imported from third countries, conducting border controls. The Ministry of Social Affairs and Health (STM) has a legislative oversight role, with Tukes as the executing body.

3. Labelling language requirements

Both Finnish and Swedish are mandatory for the required labelling elements of cosmetic products in Finland. This bilingual requirement is unique among all European Union member states.

The labelling elements that must appear in both Finnish and Swedish include: the nominal content, the minimum durability date or period after opening (PAO), usage precautions, the product's function, and the information required by Articles 19(2) to 19(4) of Regulation 1223/2009. The legal basis is the Act on Cosmetic Products (Finland's national implementing act — the exact reference number has not been verified from a primary source; cited here by its generic title) and official Tukes guidance.

INCI ingredient names are exempt from the bilingual requirement as internationally standardised nomenclature. You can look up ingredient names and their applicable restrictions in the CosIng database.

The two-language labelling obligation results in additional production costs — longer labels or dual-language label systems — compared to European markets where only one national language is required. This cost factor should be factored into market entry planning for Finland.

4. National particularities

Bilingual labelling: Finland's defining characteristic

The requirement to label in Finnish and Swedish is the national particularity with the greatest operational impact in Finland. Unlike most EU member states, which require only one national language for mandatory labelling, Finland has two official languages — Finnish and Swedish — and both must be present on cosmetic product labels.

In practice, manufacturers must either prepare packaging that incorporates the required text in both languages, or use supplementary labels that include them. This can take the form of longer labels, overlay stickers, or double-sided label systems.

Border import controls

Finnish Customs carries out additional border controls for cosmetics imported from third countries. These controls are complementary to the requirements of Regulation 1223/2009 and may include verification of labelling, PIF documentation, and ingredient restriction compliance. Importers should have their conformity documentation ready before shipments arrive.

Distributor obligations

Tukes tracks distributor obligations separately, with documentation available on its website. Companies acting as distributors in Finland must be familiar with their specific responsibilities under Regulation 1223/2009 and applicable national legislation.

Practical implications of the bilingual requirement

For a manufacturer entering the Finnish market for the first time, the bilingual labelling rule is the single most consequential country-specific factor. Here is how it plays out in practice:

• Packaging design: every mandatory label element — nominal content, durability date, PAO, precautions, function — must appear in both Finnish and Swedish. This effectively doubles the required text for these elements compared to markets with a single mandatory language.
• Label space: the increased text volume often requires redesigning the label layout or using a larger label surface area. Some operators use back-label panels or folded leaflets to accommodate both languages without enlarging the outer packaging.
• Translation quality: translations must be accurate and legally precise. The regulatory terms in Finnish and Swedish are established in official guidance, and imprecise wording can trigger non-compliance findings during market surveillance.

The bilingual requirement is not optional for any element listed under Article 19 of Regulation 1223/2009. It applies to all cosmetic products sold in Finland, regardless of the product category or the country of origin of the manufacturer.

For other markets in the Nordic and Baltic region, see our guides to Denmark, Sweden, Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania.

5. Frequently asked questions

Which authority regulates cosmetics in Finland? Tukes (Turvallisuus- ja kemikaalivirasto / Finnish Safety and Chemicals Agency) is the competent authority for cosmetics in Finland. Finnish Customs also participates in border import controls for cosmetic products.

What language must cosmetic labels be in for Finland? Required labelling must appear in both Finnish and Swedish — both are official languages of Finland and both are mandatory for labelling elements. This bilingual requirement is unique among EU member states and adds production costs compared to most other European markets.

Do I need a separate notification for Finland? No. A single CPNP notification covers the entire EU market, including Finland. There is no additional mandatory national register.

Are there national particularities beyond Regulation 1223/2009? Yes. The main and most operationally significant particularity is the requirement to label in two languages — Finnish and Swedish — for all required labelling elements. Additionally, Finnish Customs carries out specific border import controls for cosmetic products from third countries.