China to Launch Pilot Program for Cosmetic Electronic Labels in Six Regions

On October 20, 2025, the China National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) announced a three-year pilot program for electronic labeling of cosmetics, including toothpaste. ¹ The program will begin on February 1, 2026, and will be implemented in Beijing, Shanghai, Zhejiang, Shandong, Guangdong, and Chongqing. Additionally, Hainan's duty-free cosmetics sector may adopt the same model under identical guidelines.

1. Definition of Electronic Labels in China

"Electronic labels" refer to the content of Chinese cosmetic labels stored through an electronic mechanism, accompanied by a QR code generated by an information system. The electronic label must be easily accessible — consumers should be able to scan the QR code using common communication or payment apps on their smartphones to view the product's Chinese label information.

Electronic labels are considered an integral part of a product's labeling and must comply with the Cosmetics Supervision and Administration Regulation (CSAR) and relevant technical standards.

2. Requirements for Pilot Enterprises

Provincial Medical Products Administrations (MPAs) will determine regulatory requirements and measures during the pilot period, select and confirm pilot enterprises, and publish the list of selected companies on their official websites.

Qualification Criteria