Free Sale Certificate: Issuing authorities around the world and its significance

Free sale certificate is an important document necessary in many countries all over the world for the import and marketing of certain commodities like cosmetics, medical devices, drugs, edible products, etc. The document certifies that the specific imported product is sold normally as well as freely in the exporting country’s market and possesses the required approval for export. It is a primary document required for obtaining a cosmetic import license in India.

When is a Free Sale Certificate needed?

This certificate is required when you are exporting cosmetics from your country to another country. But not every country needs one and therefore you should check the requirements of compliance for a specific country for imports. For example, some countries have special requirements for cosmetic product labelling and need imported products to be labelled in their own language.

The Certificate of Free sale is like a real passport in absence of which it is sometimes almost impossible to export/import cosmetics. It is required by most of the countries like China., South Korea, India, Brazil, Russia, and Spain etc. Even before the product is placed in its own market the certificate implies that it is in compliance with all the rules and regulations that are enforced by the country of origin and can be made available in the market legally.

For example, when a cosmetic product is marketed in the French market, it should meet all the safety and manufacturing requirements of the European Union. It is the sole responsibility of the person who is placing the product in the market to make the verification and endorse all its compliance, as no preceding authorization is needed before placing it in the market.

But the scenario is different when the product is exported. In fact, about sixty countries need a free sale certificate before allowing a cosmetic product in their territory. It helps these countries make sure that the product strongly complies with all regulations, sometimes even more strict than their own rules. Different countries have their own respective authorities that issue this certificate. For example, in France, the certificate of free sale is issued by two recognized bodies that are FEBEA and Cosmed, both of which are approved by the French Ministry of Industry.

No matter who is the issuing authority in any European country, their responsibility before issuing the certificate is to check whether the product complies with European regulations or not.

Different countries have different regulatory authorities for issuing the certificate. Have a look at some of the authorities in various countries that issue the certificate.

• Spain - Health planning and regulation of the Ministry of Health, Spain
• USA - Personal Care Product Council, ICMAD, WTO and State health Authority also provide Free Sale Certificate.
• Germany - The German Cosmetic, Toiletry, Perfumery And Detergent Association
• The Netherlands- Nederlandse Voedsel en Waren Autoriteit - NVWA (Dutch Food and Consumer Products Safety Authority)
• China · China Food and Drug Administration, State Food and Drug Administration,  China Association of Fragrance flavour and cosmetic Industries.
• Malaysia -  Director of Pharmaceutical Services, Ministry of Health, Malaysia
• Italy- Ministry of Health, Italy
• United Kingdom - Department for Business, Innovation & Skills (BIS)
• Australia- Australia Chamber of Commerce and Industry
• Switzerland -Swiss Export Control Dept.
• Canada- CCTFA

The certificate is issued with respect to the specific cosmetic products and the contents of the application for the certificate usually vary based on whether you are a manufacturer or an authorized second/third party.

A FSS is an important document which offers proof that the respective product is sold legally and freely without any restrictions. In other terms, it is also called “Certificate for Export" or Certificate to Foreign Governments ".

The benefit of a free sale certificate is that a country importing cosmetics can rest assured about the quality of a product since it has already been tested and approved in the country of origin.