SPI, as part of the South-East Asia Intellectual Property (SEA IP) SME Helpdesk, participated in Cosmoprof Worldwide Bologna 2025, held at Bologna Fiere Halls. For over 50 years, Cosmoprof has been a leading event for companies and professionals across all sectors of the cosmetics industry, from the supply chain to the finished product. The event’s B2B format provides tailored tools and initiatives to support businesses worldwide. Organised by the BolognaFiere Group, a key international player in the trade fair sector, in collaboration with Cosmetica Italia, the national association of cosmetic companies, Cosmoprof’s 56th edition welcomed more than 255,000 visitors and 3,128 exhibitors.
This year’s event featured 14 exhibition halls, all of which were occupied by exhibitors from various countries, showcasing a diverse international presence. There was a dedicated space for Italian start-ups, highlighting innovation within the sector. A particularly notable aspect was the strong presence of Korean companies, with booths in every hall and even a dedicated hall exclusively for Korean exhibitors. Additionally, each hall featured country-specific sections, further reinforcing the event’s global reach.
Represented by Brimoresa Dhoro, SPI actively engaged with businesses, introducing the SEA IP SME Helpdesk’s free support and resources for European SMEs looking to expand into Southeast Asia. Many exhibitors and visitors expressed interest in learning how to safeguard their intellectual property (IP) when entering new markets.
Despite the event’s scale, none of the companies SPI engaged with were aware of the SEA IP SME Helpdesk, highlighting a clear need for increased outreach. SPI had insightful discussions with companies from Portugal and Spain, which have been selling their products in Southeast Asia but were previously unaware of the IP regulations in the region. This underscores the importance of providing European SMEs with guidance on intellectual property protection when entering new markets.
The SEA IP SME Helpdesk remains committed to assisting European SMEs with tailored advice, training sessions, and essential resources to help them navigate the complexities of IP protection in South-East Asia. Through its participation in Cosmoprof Worldwide Bologna 2025, SPI continues to empower businesses, enabling them to expand confidently while protecting their innovations and intellectual property.
For more information about the SEA IP SME Helpdesk and its services, visit: https://intellectual-property-helpdesk.ec.europa.eu/regional-helpdesks/south-east-asia-ip-sme-helpdesk_en
