INCI Name Application for Cosmetic Ingredients | PCPC Submission

PCPC INCI Name Applications at a Glance

PCPC currently accepts applications electronically and advises applicants to apply at least six months before the planned product launch. The current official fee is USD 1,000 per application.

What Is an INCI Name?

An International Nomenclature Cosmetic Ingredient name, commonly referred to as an INCI name, is a standardized name used to identify a cosmetic ingredient.

INCI names are assigned by the International Cosmetic Ingredient Nomenclature Committee (INC). The Personal Care Products Council (PCPC) publishes the names in the International Cosmetic Ingredient Dictionary and Handbook, which is also available electronically through the wINCI database.

A published ingredient monograph may include information such as:

• the assigned INCI name;
  

• the monograph identification number;
  

• ingredient definition;
  

• ingredient functions;
  

• ingredient source;
  

• trade names;
  

• related ingredient names.
  

Obtaining an INCI name means that a standardized ingredient name has been assigned. It does not mean that:

• the ingredient has been approved for use in cosmetics;
  

• the ingredient has been certified as safe;
  

• the ingredient complies with the laws of every target market;
  

• the ingredient is permitted at any concentration or for every intended use;
  

• a cosmetic product containing the ingredient can automatically be marketed.
  

Ingredient safety, restrictions, intended use, labeling, product classification, notification, registration, and other market-specific obligations must still be assessed separately.

Why INCI Name Assignment Matters for Global Cosmetic Ingredient Compliance

INCI names provide a widely used system for identifying cosmetic ingredients and are referenced in the ingredient naming and labeling frameworks of many major markets, including the United States, the European Union and China. However, the regulatory role of an INCI name varies by jurisdiction. An assigned INCI name does not, by itself, confirm that an ingredient is approved, safe or compliant with all applicable market-entry and labeling requirements.

For cosmetic ingredient manufacturers and suppliers, obtaining an INCI name can nevertheless provide important commercial and compliance benefits, including standardized ingredient identification, clearer communication with downstream customers and support for subsequent market-specific regulatory assessments.

Consistent Ingredient Naming

A standardized INCI name helps downstream customers identify an ingredient consistently in formulas, specifications, safety documentation and ingredient lists.

It can reduce confusion caused by the use of different chemical names, internal codes or trade names.

Support for International Supply Chains

International cosmetic brands, formulators and ODM/OEM manufacturers may require an established ingredient identity before including a new material in their supplier qualification or formulation development process.

An assigned INCI name can support technical communication and downstream naming assessments, although it does not replace market-specific regulatory procedures.

Coordination Between R&D and Commercialization

A standardized ingredient identity can help companies coordinate:

• ingredient development;
  

• technical dossier preparation;
  

• customer documentation;
  

• formulation assessment;
  

• ingredient labelling;
  

• commercial communication.
  

How INCI Names Relate to Key Markets

The role of an INCI name differs by jurisdiction. An assigned INCI name should not be treated as automatic proof of labeling compliance or market authorization.

For market-specific support, see:

• Japanese Cosmetic Ingredient Labeling Name Application

• China New Cosmetic Ingredient Registration or Notification

• U.S. Cosmetic Product Compliance Service under MoCRA

• EU Cosmetic Product Compliance Service

Which Cosmetic Ingredients Need an INCI Name Application?

A new INCI application may be appropriate when no existing INCI name accurately describes an ingredient’s identity, source, composition, and manufacturing process.

Before filing a new application, companies should search existing INCI names and review the corresponding monograph definitions. A similar-looking name should not be used solely because it appears commercially or chemically related.

Situations Where an Application Is Commonly Needed

A company may need to apply for a new INCI name when:

• no suitable name can be found in wINCI or other relevant references;
  

• the ingredient currently has only a trade name or an internal company name;
  

• the ingredient has a new chemical structure, composition or reaction product;
  

• a similar INCI name exists, but it is unclear whether its definition covers the ingredient;
  

• the ingredient has a different source or manufacturing process from an apparently similar material;
  

• the ingredient is intended for supply to international cosmetic brands, formulators or ODM/OEM manufacturers.
  

Situations Where a New Application May Not Be Needed

A new application may not be required when:

• an existing INCI name accurately covers the ingredient’s identity, source, composition and manufacturing process;
  

• the ingredient falls within the definition and technical scope of an existing INCI monograph;
  

• only the trade name, packaging specification or commercial presentation has changed.
  

Companies should not select an INCI name only because it appears similar to the proposed ingredient. The corresponding monograph definition and technical scope should also be reviewed.

INCI Application Categories and Document Requirements

Applicants must select the appropriate PCPC application template based on the ingredient’s identity, source, composition, chemical structure, and manufacturing process.

The PCPC system currently provides eight application categories. These are application templates and do not necessarily correspond exactly to every technical classification used in the INCI nomenclature conventions.

Information Commonly Required

The specific requirements differ depending on the application category. Information commonly required includes:

• basic ingredient information, such as the trade name, molecular formula, structural formula or botanical Latin name;
  

• the applicant’s proposed INCI name;
  

• ingredient composition;
  

• intended cosmetic functions;
  

• manufacturing process;
  

• purity or specification information;
  

• supporting technical information relevant to the selected category.
  

The proposed INCI name is submitted for the committee’s consideration. It does not guarantee that the INC will assign the same name.

PCPC INCI Application Process: Step-by-Step Guide

A PCPC INCI name application is not just a form-filling exercise. The quality of the ingredient identity information, proposed nomenclature, and supporting technical explanation can affect whether the INC can review the application efficiently.

Step 1: Existing INCI Name Search

REACH24H searches existing INCI names and reviews the corresponding ingredient monographs to assess whether a published name already accurately covers the proposed material.

The assessment considers:

• ingredient identity;
  

• source and origin;
  

• composition;
  

• manufacturing process;
  

• the scope of the existing monograph.
  

Step 2: Application Necessity and Category Assessment

Based on the ingredient’s technical characteristics, REACH24H assesses whether a new application is appropriate and identifies the relevant PCPC application template.

Step 3: Dossier Gap Analysis and Preparation

REACH24H reviews the applicant’s available technical information, identifies missing or inconsistent data, and assists with preparing:

• application fields;
  

• ingredient descriptions;
  

• composition information;
  

• manufacturing process summaries;
  

• proposed naming information;
  

• supporting documents.
  

Step 4: Electronic Submission and Official Fee Payment

The completed application is submitted through the official PCPC INCI Application Portal.

PCPC accepts electronic applications only. Applications cannot be submitted by post or fax.

Step 5: PCPC Preliminary Review

PCPC conducts an initial review of the submitted application.

If the information is incomplete or requires clarification, PCPC may request supplementary information. REACH24H can assist with reviewing the request and preparing the response, while the applicant may need to provide additional composition, manufacturing, analytical, or characterization information.

Step 6: INC Review

The application is placed on the agenda of an INC meeting.

Depending on the ingredient and the submitted information, the INC may:

• accept the proposed INCI name;
  

• assign a name different from the proposed name;
  

• request additional information about composition, process, or identity;
  

• determine that an existing INCI name already covers the ingredient.
  

Step 7: Name Assignment and Monograph Preparation

Following the INC meeting, PCPC drafts and finalizes the corresponding ingredient monograph.

Once the monograph has been completed, the applicant is notified of the assigned INCI name through the application system. The new name and monograph information may subsequently be published in the relevant PCPC databases.

The name proposed by the applicant is provided for review purposes and does not guarantee the final assignment.

INCI Application Cost and Processing Timeline

PCPC states that the approximate timeframe for receiving an INCI name is 3-6 months, and it recommends applying at least 6 months before product launch. The official PCPC fee is USD 1,000 per application.

How REACH24H Supports Your INCI Name Application

REACH24H provides end-to-end INCI name application support for cosmetic ingredient companies preparing for international commercialization.

Our services include:

• Existing INCI name and monograph search

• Application necessity assessment

• Ingredient category and PCPC template review

• Proposed INCI name review

• Dossier gap analysis

• Technical information organization

• Application form preparation

• PCPC INCI Application Portal submission support

• Follow-up response drafting

• Communication support for technical questions

• Trade name maintenance support

• INCI name change request support where applicable

• Coordination with broader cosmetic ingredient compliance projects

Why Choose REACH24H?

REACH24H helps cosmetic companies navigate global cosmetic regulatory framework with practical market-entry strategies and technical compliance support.

Experience with More Than 200 INCI Name Applications

REACH24H has supported companies with more than 200 INCI name applications involving a wide range of ingredients, including:

• exosomes and extracellular vesicles;
  

• botanical extracts;
  

• peptides;
  

• fermentation-derived ingredients;
  

• cell-culture materials;
  

• organic substances;
  

• inorganic substances;
  

• polymers and other innovative materials.
  

Support for Innovative Biotechnology Ingredients

Applications for exosomes, cell-culture materials, fermentation products, peptides and recombinant proteins may require detailed information on:

• ingredient source;
  

• biological identity;
  

• manufacturing process;
  

• composition;
  

• characterization;
  

• purity and specifications.
  

REACH24H can help companies determine the appropriate application category and organize the relevant identity, process and characterization information.

International and Multidisciplinary Expert Team

The REACH24H cosmetic compliance team includes more than 40 professionals, including internationally accredited toxicologists, EU-qualified cosmetic safety assessors, risk assessment specialists, cosmetic formulators and regulatory analysts.

Our multilingual service capabilities include English, Chinese, Japanese and Korean, supporting communication between global ingredient suppliers, R&D teams and downstream cosmetic companies.

Learn more about our Global Cosmetic Compliance Services.

Frequently Asked Questions About INCI Name Applications

The following answers are based on PCPC’s official INCI application guidance, FAQs and name-change procedures. Applicants should check the latest official requirements before submitting an application.

Ready to Start Your INCI Application?

Whether you are developing a novel cosmetic ingredient for the first time or managing a portfolio of materials requiring INCI names, REACH24H's global cosmetic compliance team is ready to guide you through every step of the process.

Recommended Reading

• How to Apply for an INCI Name: Process, Cost, Timeline and Documents

• INCI Application for Exosome Ingredients: A Global Compliance Guide

• REACH24H Supports an Innovative Cosmetic Exosome Ingredient in Obtaining an INCI Name

Related Services

• Japanese Cosmetic Ingredient Labeling Name Application

• China New Cosmetic Ingredient Registration or Notification

• China Cosmetic Ingredient Submission Code

• CAS Registry Number Search, Verification and Application Support

• U.S. Cosmetic Product Compliance Service under MoCRA

• Global Cosmetic Safety Assessment Services

• Global Cosmetic Compliance Services

Official Resources

• PCPC — INCI Resource Center

• PCPC — INCI Application Portal

• PCPC — INCI Application Categories

• PCPC — INCI FAQs

• PCPC — INCI Name Assignment Timetable

• PCPC — INCI Name Change Procedure

• U.S. FDA — Cosmetic Ingredient Names

• European Commission — CosIng and the Glossary of Ingredients

• Health Canada — Guide for Cosmetic Notifications

• JCIA — Application for Japanese Labeling Name