Where to Check: The NPRA Cosmet Database
NPRA maintains a public online database — commonly referred to as Cosmet — where every validly notified cosmetic product in Malaysia is listed. It is the official, authoritative source for confirming whether a cosmetic product carries a valid NOT number and is legally cleared for sale. Enforcement officers, retailers, and consumers all use the same database.
You can search the database in three main ways:
- By NOT number (the notification number printed on the product)
- By product name
- By notification holder (the company that holds the notification)
Step-by-Step: Checking a Product's Status
- Find the NOT number on the product. It usually appears on the label or packaging in a format like "NOT XXXXXXXX/YY/ZZZZZ".
- Open NPRA's product search. Go to NPRA's official website (npra.gov.my) and open the cosmetic product notification search / Cosmet database.
- Search by NOT number or product name. Enter the details exactly as they appear on the product.
- Match the details. Confirm that the product name, brand, and notification holder shown in the database match the physical product in front of you.
- Confirm the status is active. A valid product will appear with an active notification status. If it shows as cancelled, suspended, or does not appear at all, treat the product as non-compliant.
How to Read the Result
A genuine, compliant product should return a record where all of the following match the physical product:
- Product name — matches the name on the packaging
- Notification holder — a real, Malaysian-registered company
- Status — active / approved (not cancelled or suspended)
If the NOT number returns a product with a different name — for example, the label says it's a face serum but the database record is for a shampoo — that is a strong warning sign the NOT number has been copied or fabricated.
What If the Product Isn't Listed?
If you search and find nothing, don't panic — but do investigate. There are a few possible explanations:
1. The NOT number is printed or entered incorrectly
Double-check each character. A single wrong digit will return no result. Try searching by product name instead.
2. The product genuinely isn't notified
If neither the NOT number nor the product name appears, the product may not be notified with NPRA at all. Selling a cosmetic in Malaysia without a valid notification is illegal under the Control of Drugs and Cosmetics Regulations 1984.
3. The product may be counterfeit
Counterfeit cosmetics sometimes carry a fabricated NOT number, or a real NOT number copied from a different product. If the details don't match, stop using the product and report it.
Checking Your Own Product's Notification
If you're a brand owner and your product doesn't appear as expected, common causes are: the notification is still under assessment, it was submitted under a different holder or name than you searched, or a query from NPRA is still outstanding. If you're unsure of your notification status — or you inherited a product line and don't know whether it's properly notified — we can check it for you and advise on any corrective action needed.