70 Batches of Quantitatively Packed Cosmetics Fail Net Content and Net Content Labeling Inspection in Guangzhou

Takehome: The labels of 70 out of 132 batches of shampoos and body washes failed random inspection (net content errors) in Guangdong. Inspection failures were attributable to enterprises’ lack of experience and technical ability and strict regulatory compliance enforcement by authorities.

In 2018, Guangzhou Quality and Technology Supervision Administration conducted a special campaign of product lifecycle supervision and random inspection targeting net content and net content labeling of 7 packed commodities which include noodles, condiments, biscuits, yogurt, juice drinks, shampoos and bath washes.

According to a notice released on Oct. 17, a total of 132 batches of quantitatively packed cosmetics were inspected, 70 of which failed the inspection. Details are listed in the below table:

Causes for inspection failure:

1. Manufacturing enterprises, especially those new to the field, lack sufficient production experience and the experience with correctly labeling net content as per Chinese regulatory requirements.
2. Manufacturing enterprises ignore the compliance requirements for the labeling of net content, such as nonstandard character height or incorrect format.

Advice for manufacturers and sellers of quantitatively packed cosmetics:

1. Stakeholders shall strengthen metrological administration and ensure that the cosmetics with quantified packing are produced and sold in line with Measures for the Metrological Supervision and Administration of Quantitatively Packed Commodities.
2. Stakeholders shall indicate the net contents correctly and clearly of quantitatively packed cosmetics at prominent places on their packages. The label of net content shall be composed by a net content (Chinese), number and statutory measurement unit (or numbering unit expressed in Chinese).
3. Compliant quantitatively packed cosmetics are allowed to label the “C mark” (C refers to the initial letter of the English word “China”) on their products which indicates that the guaranteed measure capacity of a manufacturer of quantitatively packed cosmetics meets requirements.