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As a common daily necessity, wet wipes come in various types to address different cleaning needs, from personal care to medical demands, which have significant market potential. However, manufacturers and sellers in China often face challenges with intricate compliance requirements due to unfamiliarity with relevant regulations. This can result in penalties and harm to their brand reputation. Therefore, this article will provide a comprehensive overview of relevant regulations and standards for wet wipes in China, helping companies standardize their production and sales practices.
Wet Wipes Classification
In China, there are four primary types of wet wipes, namely, makeup remover wipes, wet wipes, hygiene wet wipes, and disinfectant wet wipes. Makeup remover wipes are categorized as cosmetics, while wet wipes and hygiene wipes are considered disinfection products. Each category is subject to distinct regulations and authorities to ensure product safety and effectiveness. Disinfectant wet wipes do not fall under either of these categories, thus encounter regulatory ambiguities, with specific guidelines for this product type yet to be developed.
Wet Wipe Types | Definition | Function | Regulatory Category | Competent Authority |
Makeup remover wipes | Makeup remover wipes are pre-moistened wipes made with carriers designed specifically for cleaning and removing makeup from the skin. | Cleansing and removing makeups | Cosmetics | National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) |
Wet wipes | Wet wipes are products made with carriers such as non-woven fabrics, textiles, and dust-free paper, with purified water and other ingredients added, providing cleaning effects for human use and objects. | Cleaning | Disinfection products | National Health Commission |
Hygiene wet wipes | Hygiene wet wipes are products made with carriers such as non-woven fabrics, textiles, wood pulp composite fabrics, or wood pulp paper, with appropriate amounts of production water and disinfectants added, provide cleaning and sterilization effects on treated surfaces, including hands, skin, mucous membranes, and ordinary objects. | Cleaning and sterilization | ||
Disinfectant wet wipes | Disinfectant wet wipes are products made with carriers such as non-woven fabrics, fabrics, dust-free paper, or other materials as carriers, with purified water as production water, and appropriate amounts of disinfectants and other ingredients added. It can be applied to human body, general objects, medical device surfaces, and other object surfaces. | Cleaning and disinfection | To be determined | To be determined |
Brief Introduction to Different Types of Wet Wipes
1. Makeup Remover Wipes
Makeup remover wipes are widely used beauty products specifically designed to cleanse and remove makeup from the skin. In China, these wipes are categorized as general cosmetics and regulated by NMPA. As such, they are subject to a range of regulatory requirements and standards to ensure their safety and efficacy. The compliance requirements are briefly outlined in the table below. Makeup remover wipes in compliance with these regulations can meet consumer expectations for quality as well as contribute to a safer and more transparent cosmetic market.
Type | Compliance Requirements |
Cosmetic ingredient | China currently adopts a series of permitted and restricted lists to regulate cosmetic ingredients. |
Cosmetic manufacture | Makeup remover wipes should be manufactured following the below regulations: |
Pre-market approval | Cosmetic companies need to notify their makeup remover wipes with NMPA or local provincial MPA following the cosmetic notification process, which mainly includes the below steps: 1) Assigning a domestic responsible person in China 2) Account application and user permission gaining 3) Arranging product testing 4) Submitting dossiers 5) Obtaining approval and certificate after review: the notification is deemed to be completed after companies submit all the necessary dossiers and an e-certificate (permanent) will be issued. 6) Submitting annual reports for successfully notified products. |
Cosmetic labelling | Makeup remover wipes should be labeled following the Administrative Measures on Cosmetics Labeling |
2. Wet Wipes as Disinfection Products
According to the Measures of Disinfection Management, in China, disinfection products under the regulation of the National Health Commission (NHC) are categorized into four types: disinfectants, disinfection equipment, sanitary products, and disposable medical supplies. Ordinary wet wipes and hygiene wet wipes fall under the category of sanitary products.
2.1 Wet Wipes
Ordinary wet wipes are classified into two main categories: those for personal use and those for objects. Ordinary wet wipes are designed solely for cleaning and do not offer sterilization or disinfecting effects.
It’s important to note that baby wipes, a prevalent type of wet wipe sold on the market, are typically produced according to the GB 15979-2024 Hygiene Requirements for Disposable Sanitary Products and GB/T 27728-2011 Wet Wipes, which are general executive standards for ordinary wet wipes. Previously, there were no specific national standards focused on the safety of wet wipes for infants and young children in China. On September 29, 2024, the National Standardization Administration published a national standard titled Wet Wipes and Similar Products—Part 2: Particular Requirements for Babies and Children Wet Wipes, which will come into effect on October 1, 2025. Enterprises shall comply with the new standard to ensure product safety by then.
2.2 Hygiene Wet Wipes
Compared with ordinary wet wipes, hygiene wipes can be used for sterilization on surfaces, including hands, skin, mucous membranes, and ordinary objects, providing a stronger cleaning effect. Both ordinary and hygiene wet wipes are typically intended for civilian use and are sold in venues like grocery stores and supermarkets.
Additionally, according to the Provisions for the Hygiene and Safety Evaluation of Disinfection Products, ordinary wet wipes and hygiene wet wipes are classified as low-risk (Class III) disinfection products, which means they are not subject to a pre-market notification but only subject to related standards. The table below outlines the specific compliance requirements for the two types of wipes.
Type | Ordinary Wet Wipes | Hygiene Wet Wipes |
Executive Standard |
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Labeling Requirement | The wet wipes should be labeled following the GB 38598-2020 General requirement for label and instruction book and disinfection products The minimum sales packaging label should include:
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Pre-market Approval |
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Post-market surveillance | After wet wipe products are sold in China, the quality and technical supervision departments or health supervision departments in the places of sale will conduct regular or irregular spot checks. Unqualified products will be released and punished accordingly. | |
3. Disinfectant Wet Wipes
Although disinfectant wet wipes emerged relatively late in China, they have been widely used by consumers, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. Disinfectant wipes offer functions of cleaning and disinfection and can be applied to human body, general object surfaces, medical device surfaces, and other object surfaces. Notably, unlike hygiene wipes, disinfectant wipes cannot be used on mucous membranes. Moreover, disinfectant wipes are suitable for medical settings like medical devices and hospitals, whereas hygiene wet wipes are not.
Currently, disinfectant wipes encounter regulatory ambiguities, as there is no clear product category or department overseeing them. The compliance requirements for disinfectant wet wipes are outlined in the table below:
| Type | Disinfectant Wet Wipes |
Executive Standard | |
Labeling Requirement | The product should not be labeled with the hygiene license number |
Pre-market Approval | Disinfectant wipes face regulatory uncertainties in China. Currently, they are neither regulated as disinfection products by the NHC nor as medical devices by the NMPA. Manufacturers generally adhere to the standards above to manage their products. |
This lack of supervision leads to uneven quality of disinfectant wipes on the market, particularly regarding the issue of discrepancy between labeled and actual alcohol content. In developed regions like Europe and the United States, disinfectant wipes are commonly used in hospitals, supported by well-established laws and regulations that provide clear guidelines for their use. Currently, China is actively developing standards and regulations for disinfectant wipes to better regulate their production and use. These efforts are intended to enhance product quality and safety, as well as to strengthen market oversight to address the increasing public health demands.
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