Differences between the cosmetics manufacturing and sales industry and the cosmetics manufacturing industry

Updated: July 2025, 6

　Cosmetics manufacturing and sales business licensewithCosmetics manufacturing license

Permits for cosmetics include:<Cosmetics manufacturing and sales business license>with<Cosmetics manufacturing license>There are two types.
These permits must be obtained depending on the nature of the work and the scope of responsibilities.

① Cosmetics manufacturing and sales license

A cosmetics manufacturing and sales license is a license required to ship and sell your own brand of cosmetics to the market.
Manufacturers bear the ultimate responsibility for the quality and safety of their products, and are obligated to control the quality of products shipped to the market, as well as collect, analyze, and evaluate safety information, and take appropriate measures as necessary.

However, this license alone does not allow you to carry out actual manufacturing activities (production, packaging, display, storage, etc.).
If you wish to carry out manufacturing activities, you will need to obtain a separate "Cosmetics Manufacturing License."

Cosmetics manufacturing and sales industryAnd

② Cosmetics manufacturing license

A cosmetics manufacturing license is a license required to manufacture cosmetics.
Depending on the manufacturing process,<General classification>with<Packaging, etc. classification>It is classified into two categories.

(1) General category

It is possible to carry out all or part of the cosmetics manufacturing process.
This includes all manufacturing processes, such as mixing ingredients, filling containers, packaging, labeling, and storage.

(2) Packaging/labeling/storage classification

During the manufacturing process, only packaging (such as putting the product in a box), labeling (such as affixing legal labels to the product), and storage (from storing the product before the product inspection results are available until it is shipped to the market) are permitted.
However, this does not include processes such as filling containers or mixing ingredients.

Cosmetics manufacturing industryAnd

　Examples of required licenses by type of business

From here, we will look at whether or not permission is required, along with some specific examples of selling and making cosmetics.

If you sell your own brand of cosmetics

When you plan your own products, outsource manufacturing to other companies, and sell cosmetics under your own brand,Cosmetics manufacturing and sales business licenseIs required.
In this case, you will need to ensure that the company you outsource manufacturing to has the appropriate "Cosmetics Manufacturing License."

When manufacturing cosmetics on behalf of another company

When manufacturing cosmetics at the request of another company,Cosmetics manufacturing licenseIs required.
Depending on the content of the manufacturing process, you will need to obtain permission for either the "General Category" or the "Packaging, Labeling, and Storage Category", or both.

If you only sell other companies' products

If you purchase cosmetics manufactured or imported by another company and sell them as is,No special permission required.
However, since the manufacturer or distributor bears responsibility for the product, it is important for retailers to purchase from reliable manufacturers or distributors.

When importing cosmetics manufactured overseas and selling them domestically

When importing cosmetics manufactured overseas and selling them in Japan,Cosmetics manufacturing and sales business license"When"Cosmetics manufacturing license (packaging, labeling, storage classification)" Both are required.
Imported goods are required to have labels in Japanese, as well as undergo the necessary inspections and storage, so permission is needed to carry out these processes properly.

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At Support Administrative Scriveners Corporation, we provide procedural support and consulting for cosmetics manufacturing and sales licenses (permissions) and the Pharmaceutical and Medical Device Act to those new to the cosmetics industry, as well as existing manufacturers and distributors.

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