On April 10, 2024, the China National Institutes for Food and Drug Control (NIFDC) unveiled six draft guidance documents concerning cosmetics safety assessment. These documents specifically address stability testing, preservative challenge testing, packaging compatibility testing, skin sensitization testing, and ingredient safety data, aiming to enhance the overall safety assessment process for cosmetics. These documents are:

1. Technical Guidelines for Stability Evaluation of Cosmetics

2. Technical Guidelines for Cosmetic Preservative Challenge Testing

3. Technical Guidelines for Compatibility Evaluation of Cosmetics with Packaging Materials

4. Technical Guidelines for Integrated Approaches to Testing and Assessment (IATA) of Skin Sensitization

5. Index of Cosmetics Safety Assessment Data from Authoritative Organizations

6. Information on Cosmetic Ingredient Usage

Main Content

The Guidelines provides instructions on the requirements, test methods, and result evaluation for conducting compatibility assessments between cosmetic contents and the containers/carriers that directly come into contact with them. The testing scope excludes secondary packaging and accessories that do not have prolonged contact with cosmetics.

Compatibility research should commence during the early stages of cosmetics R&D, or during the selection of packaging materials, and should be conducted consistently throughout the entire cosmetics development process.

During the compatibility research, it is crucial to consider the specific types of cosmetic products and packaging materials involved, as well as the contact methods employed. The targeted research plans are designed and implemented to ensure the quality and safety of cosmetics.