On August 28, 2023, China National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) announced significant amendments to the Safety and Technical Standards for Cosmetics (2015 Edition) (STSC). The key updates include the addition of a new prohibited ingredient, the clarification of benzene limit in cosmetics, the revision of 5 testing methods, and the introduction of 14 additional testing methods. Notably, except that the revised methods are scheduled to come into force on March 1, 2024, all other new contents will take immediate effect upon release. 

The new testing method “Determination of pH in Cosmetics (W/O)” specifies an acidity meter for the determination of pH value of cosmetics and is suitable for the determination of pH value of water-in-oil cosmetics.