In today’s competitive global marketplace, expanding your food supplement or cosmetic brand internationally can be both exciting and daunting. The opportunities are vast, but so are the challenges.

That’s why we’re sharing proven strategies to remove friction from your internationalization journey, helping you navigate complex regulatory landscapes with confidence and efficiency.

An enormous global opportunity

For food supplement and cosmetic brands, the European market presents significant potential for growth. The European food supplement market was valued at $40.7 billion in 2023 and is expected to reach $65.4 billion by 2030. Similarly, the European cosmetics industry, valued at $61 billion in 2023, is projected to grow to $118.4 billion by 2032.[GF1] 

With 564 million e-commerce consumers expected across Europe by 2025 and online marketplaces accounting for 62% of purchases, the opportunity for international expansion has never been more promising.

Key hurdles to international expansion

Many brands encounter several roadblocks when expanding into new markets:

• Regulatory compliance: Different countries have unique requirements for food supplements and cosmetics, from ingredient restrictions to labelling rules.
• Product market fit: Understanding whether your products align with local preferences, needs and trends.
• Fragmented markets: Managing multiple languages, cultures and consumer expectations across different European countries.
• Limited internal resources: Many businesses lack specialized teams for international regulatory compliance.
• Brand awareness: Building recognition in new markets where your brand may be unknown.
• Logistics and fulfilment: Establishing cost-effective supply chains for international distribution.

The journey to successful internationalization

A structured approach to internationalization can help to avoid common pitfalls. We advise businesses to focus on these key steps:

1. Business readiness assessment: Before diving into new markets, evaluate your preparedness. Determine whether you need a Food Business Operator (FBO) for supplements or a Responsible Person (RP) for cosmetics in the EU and UK markets.
2. Compositional compliance check: Ensure your product formulations meet the regulatory requirements of your target markets. This critical step prevents wasted resources on products that cannot be legally sold.
3. Category review: Analyze the competitive landscape and understand localization requirements for each market you plan to enter.
4. International pack copy (IPC) creation: Develop translated, legally compliant packaging content for each target country, ensuring all mandatory information is correctly presented.
5. Artwork creation and approval: Design packaging that adheres to specific regulations regarding font sizes, warning placements and mandatory information.
6. Notifications and registrations: Complete required pre-market notifications for food supplements or cosmetic products in each relevant country.
7. Amazon Standard Identification Number (ASIN) setup and detail page creation: Create compliant product listings with all required information for e-commerce platforms such as Amazon, ensuring your product information meets marketplace requirements.
8. Marketplace setup: Create compliant product listings with all required information for e-commerce platforms like Amazon.

Turning challenges into opportunities with technology

What sets successful international brands apart is their ability to streamline these complex processes. This is where our Reg Tech Tool™ transforms internationalization. Our game-changing technology gives you rapid and reliable solutions to slice through complex regulatory barriers, all at your fingertips

• Automated compliance checks: Verify product formulations against regulations in multiple countries simultaneously.
• Localized labelling generation: Create compliant packaging content in multiple languages with just a few clicks.
• Regulatory monitoring: Receive alerts about regulatory changes affecting your products.
• Resource optimisation: Reduce the need for extensive in-house regulatory expertise.

Powerful modules working together

Our comprehensive Reg Tech Tool™ suite includes multiple modules designed to support different aspects of internationalization:

• Check a Formulation: Verify existing formulations across multiple marketplaces and automatically generate compliant labels.
• Check a Concept: Drive innovation by developing new products based on authorized claims.
• Check an Ingredient: Access detailed regulatory information for specific ingredients across European markets.
• Change Management: Stay informed about regulatory changes affecting your product portfolio.

Breaking through the barriers

Many brands have used our Reg Tech Tool™ to successfully overcome internationalization challenges.

One US-based supplement company faced ASIN suppression when attempting to enter the UK market with their US-compliant packaging. By implementing our tool, they quickly identified compliance issues, generated market-specific labeling, and successfully relaunched their products across Europe.

Expert support whenever you need it

While our technology simplifies the internationalization process, our team of regulatory experts remain available to provide additional support. From handling local pre-market notifications to providing Food Business Operator services, we ensure you have the backing needed to succeed in new markets.

Take your next step to global growth

Experience how our Reg Tech Tool™ can streamline your internationalization process through a personalized demonstration. Book a demo today and let our experts show you how to navigate complex regulatory landscapes confidently and efficiently.

Schedule your personalized demo by clicking here or reach out to our team at info@rubicon-bridge.com.

Let us show you how Rubicon Bridge can remove friction from your internationalization process and accelerate your global growth.