Chemlinked team summarizes and analyzes non-compliance cases and their causes in cosmetic industry worldwide. By examining these real-world cases, we aim to provide warnings to cosmetics companies and encourage them to improve their product quality, thereby ensuring consumer safety and promoting sustainable development of the beauty industry.
Drawing on official announcements of non-compliant products issued by regulatory authorities across Southeast Asia, ChemLinked collected and analyzed a series of typical cases. These cases reveal recurring compliance issues and are intended to help cosmetic companies better identify potential risks and strengthen their regulatory compliance strategies.
ChemLinked has collected and analyzed typical non-compliant cosmetic cases based on import registration cancellations and enforcement actions issued by India’s Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO) in 2026...
ChemLinked collected and analyzed typical non-compliant cosmetics cases from routine and random inspections in 2026 conducted by China's regulatory authorities, including National Medical Products Administration (NMPA), local medical products administration (MPA) and administration for market regulation (AMR). By sharing these examples, ChemLinked aims to help cosmetics manufacturers and operators identify potential pitfalls and navigate the regulatory landscape more effectively.
On August 27, 2025, South Korean Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) released an analysis of administrative actions taken against cosmetic businesses between July 2024 and June 2025, reporting a total of 427 actions during this period.
ChemLinked collected and analyzed typical non-compliant cosmetics cases from routine and random inspections in 2025 conducted by China's regulatory authorities, including National Medical Products Administration (NMPA), local medical products administration (MPA) and administration for market regulation (AMR). By sharing these examples, ChemLinked aims to help cosmetics manufacturers and operators identify potential pitfalls and navigate the regulatory landscape more effectively.
In 2024, EU Safety Gate issued alerts on 1,491 batches of non-compliant cosmetics. Italy, France, and Germany were the leading countries of origin for these products. In terms of product categories, perfume was the most common non-compliant category, followed by eau de toilette, deodorant, shower gel, and shampoo. The main reasons for non-compliance included the detection of prohibited ingredients, risk of being contaminated, failure to meet the use condition, and unqualified labelling.
In 2024, EU Safety Gate issued alerts on 1,491 batches of non-compliant cosmetics. Italy, France, and Germany were the leading countries of origin for these products. In terms of product categories, perfume was the most common non-compliant category, followed by eau de toilette, deodorant, shower gel, and shampoo. The main reasons for non-compliance included the detection of prohibited ingredients, risk of being contaminated, failure to meet the use condition, and unqualified labelling.
In June 2025, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), under the Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FD&C Act), refused entry to 64 batches of imported cosmetics from 16 countries due to regulatory non-compliance...
By Nov 30, 2024, a total of 79 NCIs have been notified year to date, surpassing 69 NCI notifications in 2023, with more and more market participants. However, some of the notified NCIs have had their notifications cancelled or withdrawn. This article compiles and explores the relevant information.
Indonesia recently issued two announcements revealing cosmetics that are non-compliant due to improper use and the presence of prohibited or hazardous substances.
On November 19, 2024, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a warning letter to Colgate-Palmolive regarding significant violations of Current Good Manufacturing Practice (CGMP) regulations at its subsidiary Tom's of Maine's drug manufacturing facility in Maine...
In August 2024, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) exercised its authority under the Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FD&C Act) to refuse entry to 115 batches of imported cosmetics from 22 countries...
On August 16, 2024, Health Canada published seven new Consumer Product Safety Enforcement Summary reports of the 2023-2024 fiscal year, including one for cyanoacrylate-based eyelash extension adhesives and another for cosmetics in pressurized containers.
On July 26, 2024, the Thai FDA announced that a batch of hair dye product imported from India had failed inspection due to significant microbiological contamination...
On August 13, 2024, China's National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) released the results of an unannounced inspection conducted on a South Korean cosmetic company...
The chemLinked team collects and analyzes non-compliance cases in routine and random cosmetics inspections in the Asia-Pacific region, including Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam, etc., in the first half of 2024.
In H1 2024, EU Safety Gate circulated alerts on 521 batches of non-compliant cosmetics. Most non-compliant cosmetics were originated from Italy, Germany, and France. In terms of product category, perfume tops the list of non-compliant cosmetics, followed by eau de toilette, shampoo, shower gel, and hair dye. The non-compliance reasons for the reported cosmetics include detection of prohibited ingredient, failure to meet the use condition, risk of being contaminated, unqualified labelling, and excessive concentration of heavy metal.
ChemLinked collected and analyzed typical non-compliant cosmetics cases from routine and random inspections in 2024 conducted by China's regulatory authorities, including National Medical Products Administration (NMPA), local medical products administration (MPA) and administration for market regulation (AMR). By sharing these examples, ChemLinked aims to help cosmetics manufacturers and operators identify potential pitfalls and navigate the regulatory landscape more effectively.
According to data from National Medical Products Administration (NMPA), 88 batches of non-compliant products containing prohibited ingredients were detected between Jan. 2023 and Feb. 2024. Notably, 79 batches were identified in 2023, exhibiting a year-on-year surge of 155% compared to 2022.
From January to December 2023, Japan Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Agency (PMDA) revealed 86 recall notifications for cosmetics and quasi-drugs. The recalls were attributed to various reasons, including labeling issues such as incorrect or missing labels. Other factors observed were "foreign matter contamination," "incorporation of ingredients not mentioned in the ingredient list," "inclusion of ingredients not permitted by standards," and "product leakage," among other causes related to manufacturing process.
On November 17, 2023, China National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) disclosed that a Japanese cosmetic company failed a recent unannounced inspection organized by the NMPA...
In 2023, EU Safety Gate circulated 1,089 alerts on non-compliant cosmetics. Most non-compliant cosmetics were notified by Italy, Hungary and Romania. In terms of product category, perfume tops the list of non-compliant cosmetics, followed by deodorant, face and body cream, shampoo, and hairstyling product. The main non-compliance reasons for the notified cosmetics include detection of prohibited ingredient, failing to meet the use condition, unqualified labelling, and risk of being contaminated.
In 2022, EU Safety Gate published 212 alerts on non-compliant cosmetics notified by 16 countries, among which Sweden, Lithuania, Italy, Germany and France ranked the Top 5. In terms of product category, perfume tops the list of non-compliant cosmetics, followed by skin-lightening cream/lotion, body cream/lotion, face cream and hair dye. For the notified cosmetics, the detection of prohibited ingredient is the primary non-compliance reason. Other major reasons include failing to meet the use condition, risk of being contaminated, excessive concentration of heavy metal and unqualified labelling.
From January to December 2022, the Thai FDA revealed a total of 18 batches of cosmetics that failed cosmetics inspection and analysis due to containing prohibited ingredients...
From January to June 2022, RAPEX received 72 alerts on measures taken against non-compliant cosmetics. These cosmetics were notified by 14 countries, among which Sweden, Ireland, Lithuania, Germany and France ranked the Top 5. Besides, the detection of prohibited ingredient is the primary non-compliance reason for the notified cosmetics,
From 2021 to April 2022, China Customs:
1) rejected a total of four batches of cosmetics containing cannabis sativa seed oil from entering China;
2) seized three bottles of CBD essential oil containing THC. The suspects were arrested.
Recently, cosmetic industry insiders revealed that China National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) is organizing spot check of the notification information on the new notification platform, with the focus placed on...
ChemLinked compiles a list of prohibited words and expressions that are prone to notification or inspection failure in claims on cosmetic packaging or advertisements.
A total of 3353 imported non-special use products were filed in Q1 2020, translating to a decline in products filed of around 15% and 12% compared with the Q3 and Q4 2019. Undoubtedly, the COVID-19 pandemic was the major contributor to this decline.
Earlier, ChemLinked reported that the Korea Fair Trade Commission reinforced the supervision of cosmetics advertising on social media. Recently South Korea MFDS inspected 4748 cosmetic online sales pages, mainly focusing on massage cream, cosmetics used before or after exercise, etc., and found 1553 spurious and misleading advertising pages.
By advertising, companies can improve visibility, increase demand and sales and support growth in the Korean market, however, compliance with advertising requirements and other regulatory requirements can be difficult and mistakes costly. In this article, we will analyze compliance issues on South Korea cosmetics advertising.
Understanding China’s Latest Cosmetic Regulations: Key Changes and Analysis of Non-compliance Cases
Southeast Asia Focus: How to Export Cosmetics to Vietnam
