Cosmetic Labeling Requirements in China: Cross Regulatory Compliance

Based on the latest figures from National Bureau of Statistics, cosmetics sales in China maintains an average annual growth rate of 16% - 20% (17% last year, detailed in the table below), only after America, Europe and Japan, and have leaped to the world's fourth-largest cosmetics market. Imported cosmetic products, as many other countries/regions regulated, will need a Chinese label before entering Chinese territory. However, it is a little bit complex here because two authorities established their own system of label control--AQSIQ (Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine) and CFDA (China Food & Drug Administration) are both playing key roles in cosmetic label management. The purpose of this article is to combine together the cosmetic label requirements from the two ministries in China and offer some practical advices to the oversea stakeholders. (The label requirement for ingredients used in cosmetic products, which considered as industrial chemicals, should follow China GHS standards.)