Sell Cosmetics in Latvia: Compliance Guide

• Veselības inspekcija (Health Inspectorate of Latvia) is the competent authority for cosmetics in Latvia under Regulation (EC) 1223/2009.
• Required labelling must be in Latvian under the Consumer Rights Protection Law and Article 19(5) of the Regulation; INCI names are exempt.
• Latvia applies Regulation 1223/2009 directly without significant additional national rules, making market entry relatively straightforward.

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

Latvia 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 Latvia 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 Latvia.
• 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 Latvia. 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 Latvia is Veselības inspekcija — Health Inspectorate of Latvia. The Health Inspectorate is the designated authority under Article 34 of Regulation 1223/2009: it carries out market surveillance, oversees compliance with operator obligations, and handles regulatory notifications.

Official contact details: vi.gov.lv/en, Talejas iela 1, Rīga, LV-1026; phone: +371 67081600; email: pasts@vi.gov.lv.

Veselības inspekcija conducts periodic reviews of cosmetics promotional materials and can request operator documentation in the exercise of its surveillance functions.

3. Labelling language requirements

Latvian is mandatory for the labelling elements of cosmetic products presented to consumers in Latvia. The legal basis is the Consumer Rights Protection Law (Patērētāju tiesību aizsardzības likums) in conjunction with Article 19(5) of Regulation 1223/2009.

The elements that must appear in Latvian include: the nominal content, the minimum durability date or period after opening (PAO), usage precautions, the product's function, and any applicable regulatory warnings.

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

4. National particularities

Direct application of Regulation 1223/2009

Latvia applies Regulation 1223/2009 directly, without a national cosmetics act that introduces significant additional obligations. Guidance from regulatory bodies and internationally recognised trade sources on the Latvian market confirms that the country follows the EU framework closely, without additional restrictions or registers that exceed the Regulation's requirements.

This characteristic makes market entry in Latvia relatively straightforward for companies that already comply with Regulation 1223/2009 in other member states: compliance with Regulation requirements, Latvian labelling, CPNP notification, and appointment of an EU Responsible Person covers the essential requirements.

Market surveillance

Veselības inspekcija is active in cosmetics market surveillance and can require the submission of documentation in the exercise of its control functions. Operators should have their product information file (PIF) and conformity documentation ready to respond to any requests from the authority.

The Health Inspectorate's enforcement activity includes periodic reviews of cosmetics promotional content and verification that products on the Latvian market comply with the ingredient restrictions of Regulation 1223/2009. Market surveillance findings can lead to corrective actions, product withdrawal, or referral to the European rapid alert system (RAPEX / Safety Gate).

How the EU framework applies in Latvia

Latvia's direct application of Regulation 1223/2009, without significant national additions, means that operators already compliant in other EU member states can approach the Latvian market with confidence that the compliance architecture they have in place will transfer directly. What is required for Latvia:

1. A valid CPNP notification — the same notification used for the entire EU market.
2. A designated EU Responsible Person — the same RP covering your other EU markets applies.
3. A complete PIF including a CPSR — no Latvia-specific additions required.
4. Latvian-language labels for all mandatory elements — this is the only Latvia-specific adaptation most operators will need to make.

Ingredient compliance is governed by Annexes I–VI of Regulation 1223/2009, which apply uniformly across the EU. You can verify ingredient status for any product in the CosIng database.

Latvia in the Baltic market context

Latvia occupies a central geographic position in the Baltic states, alongside Estonia to the north and Lithuania to the south. All three apply Regulation 1223/2009 directly and share the common EU framework, but each has its own mandatory national language for labelling. For businesses entering the Baltic market as a cluster:

• Latvia: Latvian mandatory, no additional national restrictions.
• Estonia: Estonian mandatory (except RP details and INCI), dual-authority structure (Terviseamet + TTJA).
• Lithuania: Lithuanian mandatory, plus a national Hygiene Norm with microbiological limits for finished cosmetics.

Entering Latvia alongside Estonia and Lithuania allows a company to cover the entire Baltic region with a single product compliance base, requiring only three separate language adaptations for packaging.

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

5. Frequently asked questions

Which authority regulates cosmetics in Latvia? The Veselības inspekcija (Health Inspectorate of Latvia) is the designated competent authority for cosmetics, with powers covering market surveillance and enforcement of operator obligations.

What language must cosmetic labels be in for Latvia? Latvian is mandatory for labelling elements presented to consumers in Latvia, under the Consumer Rights Protection Law and Article 19(5) of Regulation 1223/2009. INCI ingredient names are exempt.

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

Are there national particularities beyond Regulation 1223/2009? Latvia applies Regulation 1223/2009 directly, without significant national rules beyond the EU framework. Compliance with Regulation requirements, Latvian labelling, and CPNP notification covers the essential requirements for the Latvian market.