A particular French feature, the PP visa concerned all products, excluding medicinal products, sold to the public without a prescription and which had a health benefit. Its obtaining was subject to a priori control of the basis of the allegations and required the approval of a commission dependent on the Afssaps (now ANSM).

While hygiene and beauty products should not, by definition, encroach on the field of medicine and claim such action, some could thus go beyond the general framework, through the PP visa. It was thus mainly found on toothpastes (prevention of cavities, reduction of the inflammatory state of the gums…) or anti-acne care products.

Not falling within the framework of the new European Cosmetics Regulation 1223/2009, the PP visa has become obsolete since 11 July 2013.