Valent
Retail compliance guide
Beauty brandsCosmetic manufacturersClean-program teams

Novi Connect preparation guide for beauty brands and manufacturers

Novi Connect preparation is about clean, structured formula and supplier evidence. Missing trade names, supplier documents, packaging data, or certifications can slow retailer screening.

Applicability

Applies to

Beauty brands and manufacturers preparing for Sephora, Ulta, and other clean-program screening workflows that use Novi Connect.

When to use this guide

Use it before entering formulas, trade names, supplier documents, packaging data, and certifications into Novi Connect.

What to confirm

Formula, INCI, fragrance, supplier, claim, test, and portal records should match the current SKU and formula version.

What Novi Connect preparation is evaluating

Formula and INCI data.
Trade names, supplier documentation, packaging data, and certifications.
Common submission gaps and how manufacturers should support brand submissions.

Requirement map

Translate the review into evidence a team can actually assemble: source files, structured fields, owners, reviewer decisions, and renewal dates.

Requirement areaWhat to prepareWhy it matters
Formula / ingredients

formula, INCI, trade names, supplier specs, SDS, COAs, IFRA and allergen statements, packaging data, certifications, and claims support sKU and formula version mapping

Shows whether the product can meet Novi Connect preparation expectations without a late reformulation.

Testing and COAs

Ingredient screen, Fragrance review, COA review, Packaging evidence, Certification validation

Gives reviewers batch-level evidence instead of a generic quality claim.

Facility and supplier

Facility certification, supplier specs, source documents, change records, and renewal dates.

Keeps manufacturer evidence reusable without hiding retailer-specific gaps.

Claims and certifications

Claim library, certifications, labels, PDP copy, supplier attestations, and reviewer decisions.

Prevents unsupported claims from becoming retailer review or delisting risk.

Operations

Novi Connect, Formula versions, Supplier evidence, Certification renewals

Catches the shipment and portal details that can block a launch after product approval.

Novi Connect preparation checklist

01

Confirm the product, category, market, retailer program, and responsible internal owner.

02

Screen the formula, ingredients, supplier trade names, and claim language against the retailer overlay.

03

Collect supplier documents, facility certifications, SDS files, COAs, specifications, and attestations.

04

Validate testing coverage, lab accreditation, batch scope, freshness, and finished-product alignment.

05

Prepare claims substantiation and certification evidence before the buyer or portal review.

06

Map documents to the retailer submission packet, portal workflow, and renewal calendar.

07

Check logistics readiness: GS1, GTIN, carton labels, ASN, EDI, routing guide, and chargeback triggers.

08

Monitor formula, supplier, certification, label, and requirement changes after onboarding.

Common pitfalls

Formula data incomplete or inconsistent.

Why it matters

A reviewed packet only covers the formula version, supplier set, and claims that were actually screened.

Control to put in place

Make every formula or supplier change trigger a fresh review, updated source documents, and a reviewer decision before the SKU moves forward.

Missing supplier trade names.

Why it matters

Missing supplier trade names. becomes a launch blocker when the team cannot show the exact evidence behind that statement.

Control to put in place

Assign this check to a packet owner, attach the source file or data field that proves it, and record the reviewer decision before submission.

Packaging and certifications left out of the packet.

Why it matters

Packaging, barcode, or sustainability evidence often lives outside the regulatory packet, so it surfaces late in onboarding or shipment setup.

Control to put in place

Attach packaging composition, claims support, GTIN or carton data, and supplier evidence to the SKU record before buyer review.

Formula changes not re-entered.

Why it matters

A reviewed packet only covers the formula version, supplier set, and claims that were actually screened.

Control to put in place

Make every formula or supplier change trigger a fresh review, updated source documents, and a reviewer decision before the SKU moves forward.

For manufacturers

Prepare raw-material and formula evidence in a Novi-ready structure.
Track formula version, supplier, and trade-name changes.
Support brand submissions with complete document packets.

For brands

Request manufacturer evidence before entering Novi.
Check each SKU against the target retailer program.
Keep clean-program certification evidence current.
Downloadable asset

Novi Connect preparation checklist

Leave your details and we will help you turn this guide into a practical checklist for your retailer submission, renewal, or manufacturer document request.

Know what's missing before the retailer does.

Valent helps brands and manufacturers map documents, tests, certifications, formulas, claims, and operational fields to retailer-specific requirements so teams can fix gaps before reviews, renewals, or shipments are at risk.

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FAQ

What documents should teams prepare for Novi Connect preparation?

Start with the Novi Connect preparation review path, then build the packet around the evidence a reviewer will actually ask for: product data, supplier documents, current certifications, SDS where relevant, COAs or testing evidence, claim support, labels, insurance, and operational setup records.

Does Novi Connect preparation require a GMP certificate or third-party certification?

It depends on the product category and review path. Check whether the retailer expects a facility certificate, product certification, audit report, or accepted third-party framework, then confirm the scope, issuing body, and expiration date.

Does Novi Connect preparation require a COA or lab testing?

COAs and lab tests are commonly relevant for supplements, food, cosmetics, and products with safety, purity, contaminant, or claim risks. Retailer-ready COAs should match the finished product or batch and should identify the lab, method, date, and tested attributes.

What commonly delays Novi Connect preparation reviews?

The slowdowns are usually evidence mismatches: stale certificates, incomplete supplier data, missing fragrance or allergen support, COAs tied to the wrong product or batch, unsupported claims, portal-field mismatches, insurance language issues, and EDI or carton-label errors.

Can a contract manufacturer help with Novi Connect preparation readiness?

Yes. Contract manufacturers can standardize formula, specification, COA, SDS, allergen, facility, batch, and supplier packets, then keep retailer-specific overlays separate so brand customers receive evidence that maps to the program they are pursuing.

Are public Novi Connect preparation requirements the full requirement set?

Usually not. Use public Novi Connect preparation information for preparation, then confirm the current submission packet in the retailer portal, supplier manual, screening platform, or compliance-team channel.

Retailer requirements change, and many retailer manuals, routing guides, and restricted substance lists are private or NDA-protected. This guide is educational and should not be treated as legal advice or a substitute for the retailer's current vendor portal, supplier manual, or compliance team guidance. Valent is not affiliated with the retailer unless a specific partnership is separately stated.