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 revised testing method “Thioglycollic Acid and Other 7 Kinds of Components in Cosmetics” specifies the determination of the content of eight ingredients, including thioglycollic acid, in cosmetics using high-performance liquid chromatography. This method is applicable for the determination of the content of these eight ingredients in cosmetics, specifically in liquid water-based and cream-emulsion type cosmetics.

The eight ingredients referred to in this method include thioglycollic acid, glyceryl Mercaptoacetate, methyl Mercaptoacetate, diammonium 2,2'-dithiodiacetate， ethyl Mercaptoacetate, isopropyl Mercaptoacetate, butyl Mercaptoacetate, and isooctyl Mercaptoacetate.