BackgroundChildren cosmetics in China are defined as "cosmetics for children aged 12 and under." While the registration, notification, packaging, claims, production, and operation regulations for adult cosmetics also apply to children cosmetics, there are stricter supervisory measures for the research and development, manufacturing, safety assessment, and labeling of children cosmetics.
On October 8, 2021, China National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) issued the Supervision and Administration Provisions on Children Cosmetics (hereafter referred to as "Provisions"), marking the first specific regulation in this field. The Provisions consists of 22 articles that clarify the scope of children cosmetics, principles for formula design, labeling requirements, manufacturing and operation requirements, as well as post-market supervision requirements, etc. It came into effect on January 1, 2022, except the labeling requirements in which took effect on May 1, 2022. |
On April 11, 2022, China National Institutes for Food and Drug Control (NIFDC) released a draft of the Technical Guidelines for Children Cosmetics (referred to as the "Guidelines") for public consultation. 1 The finalized version of the Guidelines was released and implemented by NIFDC on August 31, 2023. 2
Main Content
The purpose of the Guidelines is to provide technical guidance for those seeking registration and notification of children cosmetics, as well as to serve as a basis for the technical review of special children cosmetics and the post-notification review of general children cosmetics by competent authorities. The Guidelines consists of an Overview, the main part Technical Requirements for Documents, and an annex:
1. Overview 2. Technical Requirements for Documents
3. Annex: Fragrance Allergens Released by Chinese Domestic and Foreign Authoritative Organizations |
The Guidelines incorporates several provisions from existing regulations, including the Supervision and Administration Provisions on Children Cosmetics, Administrative Measures on Cosmetics Registration and Notification, Provisions for Management of Cosmetic Registration and Notification Dossiers, and Administrative Measures on Cosmetics Labeling. It also introduces enhanced requirements pertaining to safety assessments and the testing of children cosmetics, children cosmetics specifically designed for the Chinese market, children sunscreens, ingredient use in children cosmetics, as well as labeling and claims associated with such products.
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