1: China Starts Cosmetic Regulatory Reform with the Finalization of CSAR
China has officially started its cosmetic regulatory reform since the finalization of the overarching regulation- Cosmetic Supervision and Administration Regulation (CSAR) on June 29, 2020. The CSAR will be implemented on Jan 1, 2021, indicating the adoption of a brand-new cosmetic regulation framework. 13 subsidiary regulations have been released for public consultation until now and more are on the way. [Read More]
Reason for Selection:
There is no doubt that the overhauled cosmetic framework will significantly affect enterprises looking to enter the Chinese cosmetic market. Stakeholders are now ushering in a new era of streamlined management.
2: Australia's Chemical Regulatory Reform Commenced on July 1, 2020
The Australian Industrial Chemicals Introduction Scheme (AICIS) superseded the previous National Industrial Chemicals Notification and Assessment Scheme (NICNAS) on 1 July 2020 as an overarching regulatory framework for the introduction of industrial chemicals into the country. [Read More]
Reason for Selection:
The AICIS officially replaced the previous NICNAS as the new national regulator of the importation and manufacture of industrial chemicals. The ban on the use of new animal test data for chemicals solely used in cosmetics also took effect on the same day, to bring Australia into the line with the EU and other countries introducing an animal testing ban on new cosmetic ingredients.
3: South Korean Custom Cosmetics Regulation Came into Force on Mar. 14, 2020
On Mar 14, 2020, South Korea implemented the provisions related to custom cosmetics in the Cosmetics Act, Enforcement Decree of the Cosmetics Act and Enforcement Rule of the Cosmetics Act, which clarified the definitions and categories of custom cosmetics, procedures of custom cosmetics report, contents for compounding manager test, requirements for custom cosmetics sales, etc. [Read More]
Reason for Selection:
Global trends toward product customization have gained a large foothold in South Korea. South Korea is the first country in the world to introduce the regulations on custom cosmetics, which may be of certain reference significance for other countries.
4: ASEAN Updates 9 Changes to Cosmetic Ingredients in the Annexes of ACD
During the 32nd ASEAN Cosmetic Scientific Body (ACSB) Meeting ASEAN adopted 9 changes to cosmetic ingredients in the Annexes of the ASEAN Cosmetic Directive (ACD):
Added 4 prohibited ingredients
Amended requirements for 3 restricted ingredients
Added 1 restricted ingredient
Deleted 1 preservative
Reason for Selection:
Importation and production of cosmetics in ten ASEAN member countries followed the same ASEAN Cosmetic Directive which includes ingredients requirements. Thus, the revision of the ACSB meeting on ingredients would affect all ten countries.
5: Indonesia Implements Criteria and Procedure for Submission of Cosmetics Notification
On June 24, 2020, Indonesia implemented the amended Criteria and Procedure for Submission of Cosmetics Notification. The new regulation clarifies the definition of terms, the scope of notification applicants, dossiers necessary, notification procedures, notification template, cosmetics categories, etc. [Read More]
Reason for Selection:
After 10 years of waiting and two rounds of revision, the new Criteria and Procedure for Submission of Cosmetics Notification was finally implemented. The new regulation contains several significant changes, which companies should pay greater attention to.
6: South Korea Implements the Regulation on the Examination of Designation and Changes of Cosmetics Ingredient Standards
This regulation specifies the scope of restricted ingredients, required application dossiers, application procedure, results notification, etc. It is formulated for cosmetic manufacturers and responsible cosmetic distributors to apply for using a restricted ingredient without standards specified in the regulations or amending the usage standards. [Read More]
Reason for Selection:
In South Korea, restricted ingredients, such as preservatives, colorants, and sunblock’s, shall be used under limitation requirements. But there wasn’t any guideline or requirements specifying this provision for the industry. The release of the Regulation filled the blank and could promote the innovation of the cosmetic industry.
7: Thailand Officially Enforced the Cosmetic Microbeads Ban
On January 1, 2020, Thailand ushered in a microbeads ban. From June 28, 2020, all cosmetics with plastic microbeads have been banned from sale. Stakeholders who intend to use microbeads in cosmetics are advised to use natural ingredients as substitutes. [Read More]
Reason for Selection:
Microbeads are both persistent and bioaccumulative within the ecosystem and pose a significant problem for the marine environment and associated food chains. Many countries around the world have banned or are seeking to ban microbeads in cosmetics.
8: Malaysia to Implement Updated Halal Certification Procedure Manual, Halal Management System and Standards in 2021
On September 28, Malaysia released the second circular related to Halal certification in 2020. Malaysian Halal Certification Procedure Manual (domestic) 2020, Malaysian Halal Management System 2020, and Malaysian Standard 2019, the main references for halal certification, will be implemented on January 1, 2021. [Read More]
Reason for Selection:
Public awareness of halal cosmetic products is increasing in the world. Companies looking to export cosmetics to Malaysia are advised to pay attention to the new regulation and get well-prepared prior to the implementation of halal certification.
9: China Taiwan Updates 2 Cosmetic Ingredient Lists
TFDA released a draft list of prohibited ingredients in cosmetics which revises 40 ingredients and adds 255 ingredients, and implemented a new list of legal colorants in cosmetics which adds 77 colorants, revises 35 existing colorants and deleted 4 colorants. [Read More][Read More]
Reason for Selection:
Taiwan made significant changes to the 2 ingredient lists. Especially there are 255 new prohibited ingredients and 77 new colorants. Companies are advised to check if their products comply with the new requirements.
10: Japan Revises the Standards for Marketing Approval of Some Quasi-drugs
On Dec. 8, 2020, Japan MHLW released three amendments for public consultation, which proposes the modification of the standards for marketing approval of three kinds of quasi-drugs, namely medicated oral-care products, hair coloring agents and permanent wave agents. [Read More]
Reason for Selection:
The ingredient requirements are part of the Japan Standards for Quasi-drug Ingredients (JSQI), which is the overarching technical standard for quasi-drugs, defining the positive lists of ingredients and introducing the testing methods. The change will definitely attract much attention.
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