China's Safety and Technical Standards for Cosmetics (STSC)

1. Introduction to the STSC

The Safety and Technical Standards for Cosmetics (STSC) is the overarching technical standard governing cosmetic safety supervision and testing in China. Promulgated on December 23, 2015, and officially implemented on December 1, 2016, the standard establishes comprehensive technical requirements for cosmetic products in the Chinese market. The STSC is primarily structured into general safety requirements, lists of prohibited, restricted, and permitted ingredients (such as preservatives, UV filters, colorants, and hair dyes), as well as a comprehensive suite of testing methods covering physicochemical, microbiological, toxicological, human safety, and human efficacy evaluation tests.

• Chapter 1: Explanations of technical terms and general safety requirements;

• Chapters 2–3: Lists of prohibited, restricted, and permitted ingredients used in cosmetics;

• Chapters 4–8: Testing methods covering physicochemical testing, microbiological testing, toxicological testing, human safety testing, and efficacy evaluation.

Rather than adopting a "major overhaul once, stable for a long time" model, the regulatory body National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) now employs a dynamic, high-frequency, and small-scale revision mechanism. This continuous updating process is driven by the need for enhanced risk control, advancements in scientific and toxicological research, and a strategic push to harmonize Chinese regulations with mainstream international frameworks (such as EU SCCS opinions and IFRA standards).

For international cosmetic enterprises, brand owners, and compliance teams, the dynamic nature of the STSC signifies a shift in compliance management. It necessitates a transition from passive response to proactive risk management. Enterprises must establish routine monitoring mechanisms for regulatory updates. Failure to keep pace with these updates can lead to market access barriers and increased compliance costs.

English Translations

Safety and Technical Standard for Cosmetics (Comprehensive Compilation of All Revisions)View now

2. Revisions to STSC Ingredient Lists

The ingredient lists in the STSC have undergone multiple revisions to phase out substances with potential health risks and to align with new scientific findings. Below is a comprehensive overview of the revisions related to ingredient limits introduced in the STSC.

2.1 Prohibited Ingredients

The prohibited ingredients list has seen the most frequent updates to phase out substances with potential health risks:

1) Detailed Amendments

• 2021 (NMPA Announcement No. 74 of 2021): The NMPA completely updated and replaced the lists for prohibited chemical and plant/animal ingredients.

• 2023 (NMPA Announcement No. 41 of 2023): Added Benvimod as a prohibited ingredient and established a limit for Benzene as an impurity at 2mg/kg.

• 2024 (NMPA Announcement No. 12 of 2024): Added five prostaglandin analogues to the prohibited list, including Bimatoprost, Latanoprost, Tafluprost, Tafluprost ethyl amide, and Travoprost.

• 2026 (NMPA Announcement No. 6 of 2026):

• Effective Jan. 1, 2027: 4-Methylbenzylidene Camphor and 6-Amino-m-cresol are transitioned to the prohibited list. PFOS (and its salts) and PFOA (and its salts) are newly added;

• Effective Jan. 1, 2028: Zinc Pyrithione is transitioned to the prohibited list. Butylphenyl Methylpropional and Cyclotetrasiloxane are newly added;

• 2026 (NMPA Announcement No. 48 of 2026):

• Effective July 1, 2026: Mercury and its compounds are prohibited for use in cosmetics, except for certain preservatives permitted in cosmetic products, including Thimerosal and Phenylmercuric salts (including borate). The revision removes this exemption, and reclassifies Thimerosal and Phenylmercuric salts (including borate) as prohibited ingredients.

2) Current Status: The lists currently contain a total of 1,406 prohibited ingredients (1,297 chemicals and 109 plant/animal ingredients).

2.2 Restricted Ingredients

1) Detailed Amendments

• Historical Updates: In 2021 and 2026, several previously restricted ingredients were removed from this list and transitioned to entirely prohibited status due to safety concerns.

• 2026 (NMPA Announcement No. 6 of 2026): Adjusted the specific restriction requirements for Salicylic Acid (Effective Jan. 1, 2028).

2) Current Status: The list currently contains 42 restricted ingredients.

2.3 Permitted Preservatives

1) Detailed Amendments

• 2020 (NMPA Announcement No. 141 of 2020): Ethyl Lauroyl Arginate HCl was approved and added as a permitted preservative.

• 2021 (NMPA Announcement No. 74 of 2021): Clorofene, Formaldehyde, and Paraformaldehyde were removed and transitioned to the prohibited list.

• 2026 (NMPA Announcement No. 6 of 2026): Zinc Pyrithione is removed and transitioned to the prohibited list (Effective Jan. 1, 2028). Furthermore, the usage restrictions and limits for Climbazole, Methylisothiazolinone (MIT), and Polyaminopropyl Biguanide have been revised and tightened (Effective Jan. 1, 2028).

• 2026 (NMPA Announcement No. 48 of 2026): Biphenyl-2-ol and its salts are currently regulated as permitted preservatives in cosmetics, with a maximum concentration of 0.2% (as phenol), without defined product category restrictions. The revision introduces category-specific concentration limits for rinse-off and leave-on products, as well as restrictions on use in applications with inhalation exposure risk and labeling requirements. The revised requirements will apply as of Jun. 1, 2028.

2) Current Status: The list currently contains 49 permitted preservatives.

2.4 Permitted UV Filters

1) Detailed Amendments

• 2021 (NMPA Announcement No. 74 of 2021): 3-Benzylidene Camphor was removed and transitioned to the prohibited list.

• 2026 (NMPA Announcement No. 6 of 2026): 4-Methylbenzylidene Camphor is removed and transitioned to the prohibited list (Effective Jan. 1, 2027). Additionally, the specific restriction requirements for Benzophenone-3, Homosalate, and Octocrylene have been revised (Effective Jan. 1, 2028).

2) Current Status: The list currently contains 25 permitted UV filters.

2.5 Permitted Colorants

With no recent deletions mentioned in the latest update, STSC currently maintains a stable list of 157 permitted colorants.

2.6 Permitted Hair Dyes

1) Detailed Amendments

• 2021 (NMPA Announcement No. 74 of 2021): 2-Chloro-p-phenylenediamine and its sulfate salts were removed and transitioned to the prohibited list.

• 2026 (NMPA Announcement No. 6 of 2026): 6-Amino-m-cresol is removed and transitioned to the prohibited list (Effective Jan. 1, 2027). The restriction requirements for Toluene-2,5-diamine and Toluene-2,5-diamine sulfate have also been revised (Effective Jan. 1, 2028).

• 2026 (NMPA Announcement No. 48 of 2026): Acid Violet 43 is permitted for use as a hair dye in cosmetics. The revision amends the maximum use level for non-oxidative hair dye products and updates the substance's purity specifications, with effect from Jun. 1, 2028.

2) Current Status: The list currently contains 72 permitted hair dyes.

2.7 Other Amendments

In addition, revisions have been made to the total bacterial count limits for eye cosmetics, lip cosmetics, and children's cosmetics, as well as the limit for dioxane, and remarks for mercury.

3. Revisions to STSC Testing Methods

3.1 Physical and Chemical Testing Methods for Cosmetics

The STSC has added 28 new and revised 26 physical and chemical testing methods for detecting prohibited, restricted, and permitted ingredients in cosmetics. This chapter currently includes 102 physical and chemical testing methods.

3.2 Methods of Microbiological Test

To strengthen microbiological safety controls, 6 new methods related to toothpaste have been added. This chapter currently includes 2 general principles and 10 microbiological testing methods.

3.3 Methods of Toxicological Test

In line with the global trend towards reducing animal testing, the STSC has added 31 and revised 6 toxicological test methods. This chapter currently includes 1 general principle and 50 toxicological testing methods.

3.4 Human Body Safety Testing Method

2 human body safety testing methods have been revised and 1 human body safety testing method has been added. This chapter currently includes 1 general principle and 3 human body safety testing methods.

3.5 Human Body Efficacy Evaluation Testing Method

To substantiate product claims and protect consumers, specific test methods for evaluating the efficacy of whitening and anti-hair loss cosmetics have been officially incorporated. This chapter currently includes 1 general principle and 5 human body efficacy evaluation testing methods.

4. Implementation Rules for STSC Revisions (Draft)

To facilitate the transition to the updated STSC, the NMPA released a draft Announcement on Matters Relating to the Implementation of STSC Revisions. The draft clarifies compliance procedures for updating ingredient lists, microbiological and harmful substance limits, and testing methods.

4.1 Ingredient List Adjustments

For cosmetics registered or notified prior to the revisions, companies can apply to modify their formulas and labels before the official implementation date:

• Minor Adjustments: If replacing related ingredients with base materials (like solvents or fillers) or reducing their usage, companies only need to provide an explanation and a safety assessment without new testing. However, if the change affects product efficacy, a new efficacy evaluation is required to update the product name and label sample.

• Fragrance Changes: Companies must conduct a safety assessment and provide proof that the new fragrance complies with national standards or International Fragrance Association (IFRA) standards.

• Other Adjustments: Any other formula changes require new testing and safety assessments.

4.2 Microbiological and Harmful Substance Limits

Registrants and notifiers must conduct self-assessments on marketed products. If original test reports and safety assessments meet the revised STSC, companies can independently update their product execution standards and keep files on record. If they do not meet the new requirements, companies must adjust production processes or quality control measures, re-test the products, and apply for a modification.

4.3 Testing Method Updates

Companies must self-assess whether their marketed products comply with the updated quality and safety testing methods. If products meet the revised STSC requirements, companies can independently update their product execution standards and keep safety assessment and testing reports on record. For products requiring sunscreen, freckle-removing, whitening, or anti-hair loss efficacy testing, previously registered products do not need to be re-tested using the newly adjusted efficacy testing methods.

4.4 Products Under Technical Review or Proposed for Application

Test reports completed before the implementation of STSC revisions remain valid for registration and notification. For products currently under technical review, applicants are allowed to adjust prohibited, restricted or permitted ingredients during the supplementary documentation phase. Similar to marketed products, adjustments to base materials or reducing ingredient usage require a safety assessment but no re-testing (unless efficacy is impacted), while non-base material adjustments require new testing and safety assessments. If the change affects product efficacy, a new efficacy evaluation is required.

Please refer to China Mainland Cosmetic Regulation for a comprehensive overview.