Attention on the Labelling of China Cosmetics

Recently, Gansu Bureau of Quality and Technical Supervision has conducted a spot inspection on 40 batches of children cosmetics (mainly used by infants under 6 years old), among which the labelling of 3 batches are not qualified. Some production enterprises of children cosmetics failed to print all ingredients on the label.

According to Instruction for Use of Consumer Products—General Labelling for Cosmetics (GB 5296.3-2008), all ingredients shall be completely and authentically printed on the visible panels of cosmetics sales packaging to facilitate consumers to identify ingredients that may cause skin allergy and harm easily to some children and shall be listed in descending order of “quantity”. The names of ingredients should be in line with standard Chinese names translated according to International Nomenclature Cosmetic Ingredient (INCI). If a name is not covered by INCI, cosmetics enterprises can use the corresponding name in Chinese Pharmacopoeia, its chemical or botanical name.

Besides the ingredients list, the following elements are also required to appear on the visible panels of sales packaging:

• The names and addresses of producers, agents, importers or distributors;
• Expiry date or production date and shelf life;
• Numbers of production license and hygiene license;
• Safety warnings if necessary, etc.

The names of cosmetics and net contents shall be printed on the displaying panels of packages if the shape and /or volume of sales package permit. Otherwise, they will be labeled on the visible panels. For imported non-special use cosmetics, the record-keeping number, the name of original country or districts (Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan) shall also be printed on the label. For special use cosmetics, the approval document number is required.

Reference Links

 GB 5296.3-2008 General Labelling for Cosmetics

 Requirements on Naming of Cosmetics

 Guide to the Naming of Cosmetics