Chinese Mainland
Guangdong Chamber of Daily-use Chemicals Consults on One Group Standard
On August 3, 2020, Guangdong Chamber of Daily-use Chemicals (GDCDC) issued a notice to seek public feedback on the group standard “Wet Powder and Contour Stick (Wax)." Advice or suggestions can be sent to GDCDC by email at gdrihua@126.com before September 3, 2020. (Read More)
Sanya to Build a Comprehensive Pilot Zone for Cross-border E-commerce
On August 7, 2020, the General Office of the Hainan Provincial Government issued the "China (Sanya) Cross-border E-commerce Comprehensive Pilot Zone Implementation Plan." It states that the Sanya Cross-border E-commerce Comprehensive Pilot Zone will take advantage of the free trade port policy to promote the development of cross-border procurement to global procurement, and establish a complete supply chain service system to build an international tourism consumption center and a cross-border trade warehousing center. (Read More)
Zhejiang MPA Consults on Administrative Measures for Credit Evaluation of Cosmetics Manufacturers in Zhejiang Province
On August 10, 2020, Zhejiang Medical Products Administration released the draft Administrative Measures for Credit Evaluation of Cosmetics Manufacturers in Zhejiang Province for public opinion. Any suggestions can be sent back by email at zjfdabhc@163.com before August 18. (Read More)
China Consults on Two Cosmetic National Standards
On August 12, 2020, the Shanghai Research Institute of Fragrance and Flavor Industry (SRIFFI) issued a notice to seek public feedback until October 11 on two national standards, including “GB/T 26513-XXXX Lip moisturizer (Gel, Cream)” and “GB/T XXXXX-XXXX Determination of lincomycin and clindamycin in cosmetics - liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry.” Any advice or suggestions can be submitted to SRIFFI by email at tc257sc2@126.com, or by fax at (021) 54483433. (Read More)
12 Batches of Cosmetics Rejected by China Customs in July 2020
On August 19, 2020, China General Administration of Customs announced the information about rejected food and cosmetics. A total of 12 batches of cosmetics imported from 3 countries (Switzerland, Australia, and Italy) failed customs inspection at Chinese ports in July, including the famous high-end brand La Prairie. Reasons for rejections include “expired products,” “product mildew,” “the consignee has not filed with customs,” and “unqualified labels.” (Read More)
China to Conditionally Accept Animal Testing Alternative Methods Data during NCI Registration and Notification
On August 28, 2020, China National Institutes for Food and Drug Control (NIFDC) released the draft Instructions for Cosmetic New Ingredient Registration and Notification Dossiers for public consultation. It clarifies that dossiers categories required for new cosmetic ingredient (NCI) registration and notification are the same, animal testing alternative methods data can be accepted under certain conditions, detailed test data, laboratory qualification analysis, etc. shall be attached if the safety assessment report is issued by an international authoritative safety assessment agency, etc. (ChemLinked News)
China Indicates the End of Mandatory Animal Testing for Imported General Cosmetics
On August 28, 2020, China National Institutes for Food and Drug Control (NIFDC) released the draft Instructions for Cosmetic Registration and Notification Dossiers, specifying the documentation requirements for the application, modification, renewal, and cancellation of cosmetic registration/notification. According to this draft, general cosmetics manufactured under certified GMP conditions and with substantiated safety as defined by risk assessment will be exempted from relevant toxicology tests, except in four cases. Additional details (incl. the four exceptions) can be found in the link. (ChemLinked News)
China GAC Adjusts the Regulatory Requirements for Imported Cosmetics
On August 31, 2020, China GAC announced adjustments to the regulatory requirements for imported cosmetics, which includes: 1) When going through the customs declaration procedures for imported cosmetics, it is only necessary to declare that the products have obtained administrative licenses from the relevant national departments, and there is no need to submit a scan of the approved certificates in the customs system; 2) For cosmetics not subject to registration or filing (such as toothpaste and mouthwash), it is only necessary to provide the product safety commitments, and there is no need to provide test reports and safety assessments. 3) The regulatory requirements for the filing management of export cosmetics manufacturers are canceled. (Read More)
China Taiwan
Taiwan Releases a Test Method for Heavy Metals in Cosmetics
On August 24, 2020, Taiwan released the Method of Test for Heavy Metals in Cosmetics, stipulating the test method of heavy metals in cosmetics, including chromium, cobalt, nickel, arsenic, strontium, zirconium, cadmium, antimony, barium, mercury, and lead. The method takes effect immediately upon promulgation. (Read More)
Japan
Japan Updates the Labeling Requirements of High-Concentration Fluoride Toothpaste
On August 18, 2020, Japan MHLW revealed that Japan Dentifrice Manufacturers Association had made some updates to the voluntary standards Notes on Warning Labels of Medicated Toothpaste with High Concentration of Fluoride. The typography requirements of warning information and the marking method of fluorine concentration were modified for medicated toothpaste with a high fluoride concentration. (ChemLinked News)
South Korea
South Korea Bans Atopy-Relieving Claims on Functional Cosmetics
On August 5, 2020, the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) issued the amendments to the Enforcement Rule of Cosmetics Act. The previous functional cosmetics category name "functional cosmetics helpful in alleviating the skin dryness caused by atopic skin" is changed into "functional cosmetics helpful in restoring the skin function to relieve the skin itching." By deleting the expression of "atopy" that is likely to mislead consumers into thinking the cosmetics are medicines, the competent authority intended to reinforce the management of functional cosmetics claims. (ChemLinked News)
South Korea Consults on the Exposure Draft of the Requirement on Operating Custom Cosmetics Compounding Manager Qualification Test
To specify the details of operating the qualification test for custom cosmetics compounding manager, MDFS raised a draft to revise the relevant regulation on August 5, 2020. The current Regulation on Designation of Test Operating Institution for Custom Cosmetics Compounding Manager Qualification is proposed to be changed into Regulation on Operating Custom Cosmetics Compounding Manager Qualification Test. Additionally, the draft stipulates the business scope of the commissioning service provided by the test operating institutions and the procedure of establishing and publishing the testing plan, issuing the certificate, etc. Suggestions can be mailed to sunmilee@korea.kr prior to August 25. (Read more)
South Korea Consults on the Regulations on the Demonstration of Labeling and Advertisement for Cosmetic Products
On August 7, 2020, MFDS released the exposure draft on the Regulations on the Demonstration of Labeling and Advertisement for Cosmetic Products for public opinion. The draft adds provisions on recording the treatment and compensation for adverse reactions on the volunteers involved in the human application's cosmetic test. Suggestions shall be submitted to fastests@korea.kr prior to August 27. (Read more)
South Korea Cosmetic Association releases the Guideline on Preparation of Infants and Children Cosmetic Safety Data
On August 21, 2020, Korea Cosmetic Association (KCA) issued a guideline to help enterprises prepare infants and children's safety data. It includes the general provision, preparation methods of safety data for different products, and the safety data examples. (Read more)
South Korea to End the Grace Period for Evaluating Packaging Material Grade
On December 25, 2019, the Ministry of Environment (MOE) enacted the Act on the Promotion of Saving and Recycling of Resources, which banned the use of PVC materials and colored PET bottles and required enterprises to evaluate the packaging material grade. As the grace period for evaluating packaging material grade ends on September 24, 2020, many enterprises need detailed instructions on how to conduct this evaluation correctly. To help enterprises have a better understanding of the requirements, ChemLinked shared an article with an A to Z introduction of the new packaging materials requirement, including the list of materials subject to evaluation, method of conducting the self-assessment, submission of application for official confirmation, and labeling the material recyclability grade. (ChemLinked Article)
Indonesia
Indonesia to Amend Cosmetic Types Allowed for Production by Manufacturers with Group B Production License
On August 4 and 7, Indonesia released 2 draft amendments to Integrated Electronic Business Licensing Services in the Drug and Food Sector (Cosmetics-Related Substances) and Forms and Types of Certain Cosmetic Preparations that Can Be Produced by the Cosmetic Industry Which Has a Cosmetic Production Certificate for Group B. Detailed analysis will be published in the coming days. (Read more)
Malaysia
Malaysia Requires Halal Certificate Holders to Sign HCA with Certification Body
On August 13, Halal Malaysia Official Portal released Circular Number 1 of 2020 Implementation of Halal Certification Agreement (HCA), which became effective on August 17, 2020. The Circular stipulates that all halal certificate holders shall sign the HCA with the official halal certification body. In the initial phase, HCA is only subject to the holder whose application is processed by BPH and JAKIM. The halal certificate holders who fail to sign the HCA before February 17, 2021, will be subject to Non-Conformity reprimand during the compliance audit or monitoring. (ChemLinked News)
Australia
Australia Notifies WTO on the Revisions of Labeling Standards for Alcohol-based Hand Sanitizers
On August 25, Australia Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) submitted a notification to the Technical Barriers to Trade Committee of WTO proposing to include requirements for information on alcohol content and usage warnings for hand sanitizers and rubs containing alcohol. (Read more)
India
India Continues the Transitional Policy Regarding the Submission of Self Attested Documents for Cosmetics Import and Registration
Given the COVID-19 lockdown situation, India’s Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO) issued a notice on April 20, 2020, postponing the submission of notarized, apostilled, and embassy-attested copies of the documents for cosmetic import registration/notification. On August 19, CDSCO published a notice to extend the policy by four months or until the situation's normalization, whichever is earlier. (Read more)
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