China to Set New Cosmetic Classification Standard

Background

The recent development of China’s economy and innovation within the cosmetics industry has meant that China’s Cosmetic Hygiene and Management Regulation, the fundamental regulation on the definition and classification of cosmetics in China is no longer suitable to serve as a foundation for China’s regulatory framework. CFDA believes that the current cosmetic classification standard needs to be optimized and subdivided for risk management and product quality and safety substantiation. Therefore, CFDA organized a study on the classification of cosmetics with the aim of establishing a scientific and reasonable method for cosmetic classification.

The Principle of Classification

• Proper subdivision in accordance with the laws and regulations
  • The classification should be subdivided by product function, usage site and dosage form on the basis of the current laws and regulations and framework of special cosmetics and ordinary cosmetics. The design of open classification should enable dynamic supplementation or adjustments according to the industry and technological development.
• Scientific classification for security
  • The intended use or product claims should be the main basis for classification with reference to the ingredients and scope of application. The special groups like children and pregnant women should be separately listed for differential management.
• Accurate classification based on the coding principles
  • The coding principles should be set to provide information like product function, usage site and dosage form. It can facilitate the recognition of safety information as well as product traceability.

The coding system

Through survey, study and analysis of the cosmetics currently circulating in the market, CFDA will further subdivide cosmetics based on function; usage site and dosage form. Under China’s new classification standard, any product in the market can be categorized with a corresponding code. Moreover, the product information like function, usage site and dosage form can be clearly read via each product code. Overall, the accurate classification is beneficial to the analysis of product safety, the traceability, scientific research and supervision.

New Cosmetic Classification Standard

1. Scope

This standard stipulates the classification and coding of cosmetics.

The standard is applicable to the notification, registration, management and statistics of cosmetics.

2. Cosmetic classification

The classification is based on the classification of special cosmetics and ordinary cosmetics. It subdivides the cosmetics according to product function, usage site, dosage form as well as the considerations for the special demographics.

3. Cosmetic coding

3.1 Code structure

The codes have five categories, namely the classification of the cosmetics used for special cosmetics and ordinary cosmetics, product function, usage site, dosage form and the special people groups.

3.2 Coding method

Codes consist of 6-7 figures and letters. The 1^st, 3^rd, and 5^th level respectively shows one-digit figure or letter. If the special people group at the 5^th level is excluded in the scope of application, the code for the 5^th level can be omitted. The 2^nd and 4^th level adopts the two-digit figures and codes from 01-99.

3.3 Classification code table

Examples: the classification code for the shaving moistening cream is Ⅱ20F01 and the code for children sun cream is Ⅰ09H01a.