2020 Top 10 Cosmetic Regulatory Updates in China

1: China Finalizes the Long-Awaited Cosmetic Supervision and Administration Regulation

On June 29, the new fundamental cosmetic legislation, Cosmetic Supervision and Administration Regulation (CSAR), was officially published by the Chinese State Council to replace the existing Cosmetics Hygiene Supervision Regulations (CHSR), which was released in 1989. The new regulation is scheduled to be effective from January 1, 2021.

The finalization of Cosmetic Supervision and Administration Regulation is one of the essential moves for China to align the regulatory system with the current industry practices and with the international markets. The new CSAR will greatly facilitate progress in the sector, which represents a new era for China's cosmetic sector and a very exciting time for international stakeholders. [Read More]

2: China Indicates the End of Mandatory Animal Testing for Imported General Cosmetics 

China released the Draft Instructions for Cosmetic Registration and Notification Dossiers, specifying the documentation requirements for the application, modification, renewal, and cancellation of cosmetic registration/notification.

The high-profile animal testing exemption for general cosmetics is impending. According to the draft, companies can apply for exemption of animal testing for imported general cosmetics under certain conditions. [Read More] [Read More]

3: Animal Testing Alternatives Data to be Accepted for New Cosmetic Ingredient Registration/Notification 

China released the draft Instructions for New Cosmetic Ingredient Registration and Notification Dossiers for public consultation. The draft regulates that international alternatives recognized by an international authoritative alternative validation agency such as OECD, ICCR, ICCVAM, EURL-ECVAM, JaCVAM, etc. can be accepted for the notification or registration of new cosmetic ingredients. [Read More] [Read More] 

4: China Consults on the Draft Administrative Measures on Cosmetic Registration

The draft is one of the significant subsidiary regulations of China’s CSAR, which clarifies the basic requirements for registration and notification management of cosmetics and new cosmetic ingredients, including some new concepts, patent protection for the new ingredients, ingredient traceability management, cosmetic efficacy claims, annual reporting, etc. [Read More]

5: China Consults on the Draft Technical Guidelines for Cosmetic Safety Assessment 

Under the new regulations, safety assessment is a mandatory requirement before submission of notification and registration. The draft guidelines clarify the basic requirements of safety assessors, the requirements and operating guidelines for safety assessment reports, attach corresponding samples and set transitional measures considering China's actual safety assessment capacity. [Read More]

6: China Releases Guidelines for Cosmetic Efficacy Claim Evaluation 

On November 5, 2020, China released the second draft of Guidelines for Cosmetic Efficacy Claim Evaluation for public consultation. In comparison with the first draft, the second draft amends the evaluation requirements for partial efficacy claims, redefines the evaluation methods and reports, and further specifies the requirements for evaluation abstracts. [Read More] [Read More] 

7: China Consults on the Draft Administrative Measures on Cosmetics Labeling

China consulted on the draft Administrative Measures on Cosmetics Labeling for public consultation, which spells out the requirements for cosmetic labeling and claims. The draft stipulates significant changes to the labeling of full ingredient listing, durability, product executive standard number, efficacy claims, and imported cosmetics. [Read More] 

8: China Cosmetics Manufacture and Operation Supervision and Management Measures Unveiled 

The draft Supervision and Administration Measures on Cosmetics Manufacture and Operation refines the main responsibilities of the registrants and filers, optimizes the production license management system, strengthens production quality management, refines operation management, clarifies multiple regulatory measures, and refines penalties. [Read More]

9: China Releases the Draft Cosmetic Classification Rules and Catalog 

According to the draft, the classification of cosmetics in China will be refined into 5 categories and will adopt a coding system going forward. The draft lists 28 efficacy claims, 13 application areas, 14 dosage forms, 3 types of target users and 2 application methods to determine the classification of cosmetics. [Read More]

10: China NIFDC Consults on Inventory of Existing Cosmetic Ingredients (IECIC) 2015

On Oct. 26, 2020, China National Institutes for Food and Drug Control (NIFDC) released an announcement consulting on the Inventory of Existing Cosmetic Ingredients in China (IECIC) 2015. IECIC 2015 serves as a gold standard reference for cosmetic ingredients regulation and encompasses a list of 8783 permitted ingredients to be used in cosmetics in China. [Read More]