How Will China Regulate the Pregnancy/ Breastfeeding Cosmetics and Children Cosmetics?

China will implement a brand-new cosmetic regulation framework from Jan 1, 2021. Pregnancy/breastfeeding cosmetics and children cosmetics will be subject to a change of regulatory requirements accordingly.

China has officially started its cosmetic regulatory reform since the finalization of the overarching regulation- Cosmetic Supervision and Administration Regulation (CSAR) on June 29, 2020. The CSAR will be implemented on Jan 1, 2021, indicating the adoption of a brand-new cosmetic regulation framework. Under the new framework, pregnancy/breastfeeding cosmetics and children cosmetics will also be subject to a change of regulatory requirements.

New Requirements

The detailed new requirements are specified in the draft Cosmetic Classification Rules and Catalog - one of the CSAR's subsidiary regulations, which can be summarized as follows:

Cosmetics Type		Classification	Obligation
Pregnancy/breastfeeding cosmetics		Special cosmetics	Registration
Children cosmetics (under 3 years old)	Cosmetics with efficacy claims except for: cleansing moistening moisturizing sunscreen relieving body refreshing	Special cosmetics	Registration
Children cosmetics (3-12 years old)	Claiming: cleansing makeup removing moistening moisturizing beautifying and embellishing hair styling fragrant hair care sunscreen repairing relieving oil-control exfoliating body refreshing hair break prevention	General cosmetics	Notification
Children cosmetics (3-12 years old)	Claiming other efficacies	Special cosmetics	Registration

Current Requirements

China currently classifies and manages cosmetics only based on their categories without taking the target users into considerations. Therefore, there are no specific requirements for pregnancy/breastfeeding cosmetics and children cosmetics. They are managed according to the general classification of cosmetics:

Classification

Cosmetic Category

Obligation

Non-special use cosmetics (general cosmetics)

1. Skin care products

2. Hair care products

3. Nail (toe) care products

4. Make-up

5. Fragrance

(including those for pregnant/ breastfeeding women and children)

Filing

Special use cosmetics (special cosmetics)

1. Hair growth products

2. Hair dyes

3. Hair perming products

4. Depilating products

5. Breast beauty products

6. Slimming products

7. Deodorants

8. Freckle-removing products (Whitening products)

9. Sunscreens

(including those for pregnant/ breastfeeding women and children)

Registration

ChemLinked Comments:

Compared with the current requirements, pregnancy/breastfeeding cosmetics will face stricter management. In the future, all pregnancy/breastfeeding cosmetics shall be registered with the NMPA, however currently only special use cosmetics for pregnant/ breastfeeding women require registration.
The future management on children cosmetics will be based on age and efficacy claims, which is more scientific. It is evident that China will strengthen the management of cosmetics for children under 3 years old.