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Safety and Technical Standards for Cosmetics (STSC) is the overarching technical standard governing cosmetic safety supervision and testing in China. It establishes comprehensive technical requirements covering ingredient management and testing methods for cosmetic products. The standard mainly includes the following contents:
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.
Since its promulgation on Dec. 23, 2015, and implementation on Dec. 1, 2016, the STSC has undergone multiple revisions to keep pace with regulatory and industry developments. This article summarizes all revisions related to testing methods introduced in the STSC since its publication. For a summary of the ingredient revisions, please visit the ChemLinked article "Revisions to Cosmetic Ingredient Lists in China's STSC: A Complete Compendium".
1. Physical and Chemical Testing Methods for Cosmetics
The STSC has added 25 new and revised 26 physical and chemical testing methods for detecting prohibited, restricted, and permitted ingredients in cosmetics. This chapter currently includes 99 physical and chemical testing methods.
Chapter 4 Physical and Chemical Testing Methods for Cosmetics | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Method Name | Status | NMPA Announcement No. | |
General Principles of Physical and Chemical Testing | |||
General Principles of Physical and Chemical Testing | Revised (Effective Jul. 1, 2026) | ||
Determination of Li and 42 kinds of elements in cosmetics | Revised | ||
Nd and 14 kinds of elements | Replaced | ||
Determination of pH in cosmetics (W/O) | Added | ||
Determination of pH in toothpastes | Added | ||
Determination of Mercury in toothpaste | Added | ||
Determination of Lead in toothpaste | Added | ||
Determination of Arsenic in toothpaste | Added | ||
Determination of Cadmium in toothpaste | Added | ||
Determination of Li and 42 Kinds of Elements in toothpaste | Revised | ||
Determination of Hard Particles in toothpaste | Added | ||
Determination of Prohibited Ingredients in Cosmetics | |||
Method Name | Status | NMPA Announcement No. | |
Fluconazole and other 8 kinds of components | Replaced | ||
Minocycline hydrochloride and other 6 kinds of components | Replaced | ||
Enoxacin and other 9 kinds of components | Replaced | ||
Estriol and the other 6 kinds of components | To be replaced on Jan. 1, 2027 | ||
Minoxidil and other 6 kinds of components | To be replaced on Jan. 1, 2027 | ||
Determination of Cantharidin and Chlormethine in cosmetics | Revised | ||
Determination of Acrylamide in cosmetics | Revised | ||
Chlormethine | Replaced | ||
Determination of Desloratadine and other 50 kinds of components in cosmetics | Revised | ||
Determination of Dioxane in cosmetics | Revised | ||
Determination of Procainamide and other 22 kinds of ingredients in cosmetics | Revised (Effective Jan. 1, 2027) | ||
Hydroquinone and phenol | Replaced | ||
Determination of Asbestos in cosmetics | Revised | ||
Determination of Tretinoin and other 7 kinds of components in cosmetics | Revised | ||
Determination of 6α-Methyl hydrocortisone and Other 123 Kinds of Ingredients in Cosmetics | Revised (Effective Jan. 1, 2027) | ||
Determination of Dimetridazole and other 119 kinds of components in cosmetics | Revised | ||
Determination of Ethyl Acrylate and other 39 kinds of components in cosmetics | Added | ||
Determination of Dioxane in toothpaste | Added | ||
Determination of Methanol in toothpaste | Added | ||
Determination of Phenacetin in Cosmetics | Added | ||
Determination of Diethylene Glycol and Glycol in toothpaste | Added | ||
Determination of Cannabidiol and other 5 kinds of components in cosmetics | Added | ||
Determination of Diethylene Glycol in cosmetics | Added | ||
Determination of Restricted Ingredients in Cosmetics | |||
Method Name | Status | NMPA Announcement No. | |
Determination of Glucuronic Acid and other 13 kinds of components in cosmetics | Revised | ||
Determination of Selenium Disulfide | Revised | ||
Boric Acid and Borate | Revised | ||
Determination of Thioglycollic Acid and other 7 kinds of components in cosmetics | Revised (Only the first method in the original method) | ||
Determination of Hydroxycapric Acid in cosmetics | Added | ||
Determination of Soluble/Free Fluoride in toothpastes | Added | ||
Determination of total fluoride in toothpaste | Added | ||
Determination of Preservatives in Cosmetics | |||
Method Name | Status | NMPA Announcement No. | |
Methyl Isothiazolinone and other 22 kinds of components | Revised | ||
Zinc Pyrithione and other 18 kinds of components | Revised | ||
Hexamidine Diisethionate and other 6 kinds of components | Revised | ||
Poly (aminopropylbiguanide) | Revised | ||
Hexetidine | Revised | ||
Phenylmercury Borate | Revised | ||
Formic Acid and other 8 kinds of components | Revised | ||
Formaldehyde | Revised | ||
Determination of Free Formaldehyde in cosmetics | Revised | ||
Determination of Free Formaldehyde in toothpaste | Added | ||
Determination of Sunscreens in Cosmetics | |||
Method Name | Status | NMPA Announcement No. | |
Determination of 3-Benzylidene Camphor and other 21 kinds of sunscreens in cosmetics | Added | ||
Determination of Colorants in Cosmetics | |||
Method Name | Status | NMPA Announcement No. | |
CI 10020 and other 10 kinds of components | Added | ||
CI 11920 and other 12 kinds of components | Added | ||
Determination of Hair Dyes in Cosmetics | |||
Method Name | Status | NMPA Announcement No. | |
Determination of p-Phenylenediamine and other 32 kinds of components in cosmetics | Revised | ||
Determination of 5-(2-Hydroxyethylamino)-2-Methoxylaniline Sulfate and other 14 kinds of components | Added | ||
Determination of Other Ingredients in Cosmetics | |||
Method Name | Status | NMPA Announcement No. | |
Determination of L-Ascorbic Acid 2-Phosphate Magnesium Ester and other 10 components in cosmetics | Added | ||
α-Arbutin and other 3 kinds of components | Revised | ||
Disodium Distyrylbiphenyl Disulfonate and other 4 kinds of components | Added | ||
Determination of Azelaic Acid and its salts in cosmetics | Added | ||
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.
Chapter 5 Methods of Microbiological Test | ||
|---|---|---|
Method Name | Status | NMPA Announcement No. |
General Guidelines in Toothpaste | Added | |
Aerobic Plate Count in Toothpaste | Added | |
Detection of Thermotolerant Coliform Bacteria in Toothpaste | Added | |
Detection of Pseudomonas Aeruginosa in Toothpaste | Added | |
Detection of Staphylococcus Aureus in Toothpaste | Added | |
Molds and Yeasts Count in Toothpaste | Added | |
3. Methods of Toxicological Test
In line with the global trend towards reducing animal testing, the STSC has added 31 and revised 2 toxicological test methods. This chapter currently includes 1 general principle and 50 toxicological testing methods.
Chapter 6 Methods of Toxicological Test | ||
|---|---|---|
Method Name | Status | NMPA Announcement No. |
Bacterial Reverse Mutation Assay | Revised | |
Teratogenicity Test | Revised | |
In-vitro 3T3 Neutral Red Uptake Phototoxicity Test Method for Chemicals Used in Cosmetics | Added | |
In Vitro Skin Corrosion: Transcutaneous Electrical Resistance Test (TER) for Chemicals Used in Cosmetics | Added | |
Skin Photoallergy Test | Added | |
Short Time Exposure In Vitro Test Method (STE) | Added | |
Skin Sensitization: Local Lymph Node Assay: DA (LLNA: DA) | Added | |
BrdU-ELISA Skin Sensitization: Local Lymph Node Assay: BrdU-ELISA (LLNA: BrdU-ELISA) | Added | |
In Chemico Skin Sensitization: Direct Peptide Reactivity Assay (DPRA) | Added | |
In Vitro Mammalian Cells Micronucleus Test | Added | |
In Vitro Skin Sensitization: Human Cell Line Activation Test (h-CLAT) | Added | |
In Chemico Skin Sensitization: Amino acid Derivative Reactivity Assay (ADRA) | Added | |
Fluorescein Leakage in Vitro Test Method | Added | |
Acute Oral Toxicity Test: Up-and Down Procedure | Added | |
Acute Oral Toxicity Test: The Fixed-Dose Procedure | Added | |
Acute Oral Toxicity: Acute Toxic Class Method | Added | |
In Vivo Mammalian Alkaline Comet Assay | Added | |
General Rule for Pretreatment of Cosmetic in Toxicological Experiments | Added | |
Acute Inhalation Toxicity Study | Added | |
Acute Inhalation Toxicity-Acute Toxic Class Method | Added | |
Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) Assay for Photoreactivity | Added | |
U937 Cell Line Activation Test | Added | |
Skin Absorption: in Vivo Method | Added | |
Repeated Dose 28-Day Oral Toxicity Study | Added | |
28-Day Inhalation Toxicity Study | Added | |
90-Day Inhalation Toxicity Study | Added | |
Extended One-Generation Reproductive Toxicity Study | Added | |
Two-Generation Reproductive Toxicity Study | Added | |
In Chemico Skin Sensitization The ARE-Nrf2 Luciferase LuSens Test | Added | |
Bovine Corneal Opacity and Permeability (BCOP) Assay | Added | |
In Chemico Skin Sensitization: Kinetic Direct Peptide Reactivity Assay (kDPRA) | Added | |
Skin Absorption: In vitro Method | Added | |
Immunotoxicity Test | Added | |
Oral Mucous Irritation Test | Added | |
Skin Sensitization: Local Lymph Node Assay: BrdU-Flow Cytometry Method (LLNA: BrdU-FCM) | Added (Effective Jul. 1, 2026) | |
Toxicokinetics Test | Added (Effective Jul. 1, 2026) | |
4. Human Body Safety Testing Method
2 human body safety testing methods have been revised. This chapter currently includes 1 general principle and 2 human body safety testing methods.
Chapter 7 Human Body Safety Testing Method | ||
|---|---|---|
Method Name | Status | NMPA Announcement No. |
Human Skin Patch Test | Revised (Effective Jul. 1, 2026) | |
Cosmetic Safety In-use Test | Revised (Effective Jul. 1, 2026) | |
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.
Chapter 8 Human Body Efficacy Evaluation Testing Method | ||
|---|---|---|
Method Name | Status | NMPA Announcement No. |
Test Method for Efficacy Measurement of Skin Whitening Cosmetic Products | Added | |
Test Method for Efficacy Measurement of Anti-hair Loss Cosmetic Products | Added | |
ChemLinked has compiled a consolidated English translation of the STSC, integrating all official revisions issued between 2016 and 2026 into a single, comprehensive document for easy reference. The full translation contains over 1,800 pages and is available for USD 1,580. For companies interested in translations of specific chapters only, please contact ChemLinked for customized pricing.
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