Sell Cosmetics in Greece: Compliance Guide for the Greek Market

• EOF (Εθνικός Οργανισμός Φαρμάκων — National Organization for Medicines) is the competent authority for cosmetics in Greece under Regulation (EC) 1223/2009.
• All consumer-facing label elements must be in Greek — English-only labels are not accepted.
• Cosmetics manufacturing facilities in Greece require an EOF operating licence, in addition to the standard CPNP notification.

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

Greece 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 Greece 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 Greece.
• 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 Greece. 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 Greece is EOF — Εθνικός Οργανισμός Φαρμάκων (National Organization for Medicines). EOF was established in 1983 and operates as a public entity under the Ministry of Health. Its regulatory scope covers medicines, cosmetics, medical devices, food supplements, and biocides. The fact that its name references medicines does not limit its mandate: EOF is the fully competent authority for cosmetics in Greece.

The official EOF website, including the cosmetics section, is at: www.eof.gr/en/.

EOF conducts active market surveillance. Missing Greek labels are among the most frequently cited non-compliances in enforcement actions, which underlines the importance of preparing labelling correctly before placing products on the Greek market.

3. Labelling language requirements

Greek is mandatory for all consumer-facing label elements in Greece. This covers: nominal content, minimum durability date or period after opening (PAO), precautions for use, product function, and regulatory warnings. A label written exclusively in English does not satisfy Article 19(5) of Regulation 1223/2009 for the Greek market.

INCI ingredient names are exempt from the language requirement: as internationally standardised nomenclature, they may appear in their original form without translation into Greek.

Multilingual labels — Greek plus one or more additional languages — are fully valid and are the standard practice for imported products. The minimum requirement is that mandatory information is available in Greek.

Regional context: Cyprus and Malta, also EU member states, accept English as the sole labelling language because English is an official language in both countries. This exception does not apply to Greece, where Greek is the only accepted labelling language for the domestic market. If your distribution strategy covers all three Mediterranean countries, their respective language requirements must be managed separately. See also our guides to selling cosmetics in Cyprus and Malta.

4. National particularities

Operating licences for manufacturing facilities

Greece's main national particularity is the requirement to obtain an EOF operating licence for any cosmetics production facility on Greek territory. This licence is issued directly by EOF and is separate from the CPNP notification. Any company wishing to manufacture cosmetics in Greece must apply before commencing operations.

For importers of products manufactured outside Greece and placed on the Greek market, the applicable regime is the standard EU framework: the Responsible Person notifies via CPNP and ensures compliance with Regulation 1223/2009. There is no additional codified import approval process under current legislation.

Active market surveillance

EOF conducts periodic market controls. Missing Greek labels and incomplete product information files (PIFs) are the most frequent non-compliances identified. It is advisable for the PIF to be in a language the competent authority can readily review; in practice, English is common for technical documentation, while consumer-facing labelling must be in Greek. Companies distributing across both Greece and the other Mediterranean markets (Cyprus, Malta) should manage their labelling workflows accordingly, since Cyprus and Malta accept English-only labels while Greece does not.

For ingredient composition management and verification against the Regulation 1223/2009 annexes, consult the CosIng database.

Cosmetovigilance

Serious undesirable effect notifications under Article 23 of Regulation 1223/2009 are directed to EOF, which acts as the national contact point in the European cosmetovigilance network. Economic operators — manufacturers, importers, distributors — must notify EOF as soon as a serious undesirable effect attributable to a cosmetic product comes to their attention, and must retain documentation of all such notifications as part of their compliance records.

For other markets in the Mediterranean region, see our guides to Cyprus and Malta.

5. Frequently asked questions

Which authority regulates cosmetics in Greece? The EOF (Εθνικός Οργανισμός Φαρμάκων — National Organization for Medicines) is the competent authority for cosmetics in Greece. Its remit covers medicines, cosmetics, medical devices, food supplements, and biocides.

What language must cosmetic labels be in for Greece? Greek is mandatory for all consumer-facing label elements in Greece. English-only labels are not sufficient — unlike Cyprus and Malta, where English is an official language and English-only labelling is fully compliant.

Do I need a separate notification for Greece? No: a single CPNP notification covers the entire EU market, including Greece. There is no additional national registration for placing cosmetics on the market. Manufacturing facilities in Greece do require an operating licence from EOF.

Are there national particularities beyond Regulation 1223/2009? Yes. Cosmetics production facilities in Greece must hold an EOF operating licence. EOF also carries out active market surveillance; products with missing Greek labels are among the most common enforcement findings.