Monthly Recap: Asia-Pacific Cosmetic Regulatory Updates | January 2021

China Cosmetic Supervision and Administration Regulation (CSAR) Officially Takes Effect

Starting from Jan. 1, 2021, China's new overarching cosmetic regulation - Cosmetic Supervision and Administration Regulation (CSAR) officially took effect, replacing the outdated Cosmetics Hygiene Supervision Regulations (CHSR), which was first introduced over 30 years ago. (ChemLinked News)

China NMPA Releases Draft Instructions for Toothpaste Notification Dossiers 

On Jan. 6, 2021, China National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) released the draft Instructions for Toothpaste Notification Dossiers for public consultation. The draft Instructions clarify the dossiers' requirements for toothpaste notification, toothpaste classification and coding system, permitted efficacy claims, requirements for efficacy evaluation and safety assessment, etc. (ChemLinked News)

Guangdong Issues an Implementation Plan for High-quality Development of Cosmetics Industry

On Jan. 9, 2021, Guangdong issued an implementation plan for high-quality development of the cosmetics industry, which clarifies the overall goal of the high-quality development of the cosmetics industry in Guangdong Province and introduces 9 key tasks to build Guangdong Province as a high-quality zone and highland of the Chinese cosmetics industry. (Reference Link)

China Publishes the Finalized Administrative Measures on Cosmetics Registration and Notification

On Jan. 12, 2021, the finalized Administrative Measures on Cosmetics Registration and Notification was officially published and will take effect on May 1, 2021. Compared with the draft version released on July 21, 2020, the finalized Measures include 7 main changes：

1. Delete several articles in the previous draft

2. Clarify the qualification of cosmetic registrants and notifiers

3. Add one responsibility of domestic responsible persons

4. Require the monitoring of ingredients similar to notified/registered new cosmetic ingredients

5. Emphasize the protection of cosmetic formula

6. Require providing of valid contact information

7. Extend the validity of special cosmetic registration license (ChemLinked News)

China NMPA Answers Questions about CSAR Implementation

On Jan. 14, 2021, China National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) held a news briefing on Cosmetic Supervision and Administration Regulation (CSAR) implementation. During the briefing, three NMPA officials answered several questions about cosmetics notification, efficacy evaluation, online sales supervision, etc. (ChemLinked News)

GAC: 15 Batches of Cosmetics were Rejected in January 

On Jan. 20, 2021, China General Administration of Customs (GAC) gave an update on rejected food and cosmetics. A total of 15 batches of cosmetics imported from 4 countries (Germany, Japan, China and Thailand) failed customs inspection in January. Reasons for rejections were unqualified labels, lack of required or qualified documentation and excessive Methylchloroisothiazolinone. (Reference Link)

China to Amend Cosmetic Prohibited Ingredient Lists

On Jan. 22, 2021, China National Institutes for Food and Drug Control released the draft amended Inventory of Prohibited Cosmetic Ingredients and Inventory of Prohibited Plant (Animal) Cosmetic Ingredients for public consultation. The main amendments include adding 17 prohibited ingredients, amending 13 prohibited ingredients and 27 prohibited plant (animal) ingredients, classifying and merging prohibited drug ingredients into three categories, and modifying some text contents. (ChemLinked News)

Zhejiang Health Products & Cosmetics Industry Association Consults on One Group Standard

On Jan. 25, 2021, Zhejiang Health Products & Cosmetics Industry Association (ZHCA) released one group standard for public consultation, namely, Whitening Efficacy Test of Cosmetics-Zebrafish Embryos Test Method of Melanin Inhibition. Any suggestions can be mailed to hyfg@121jk.cn before Feb. 25, 2021. (Reference Link)

China to Release New Inventory of Existing Cosmetic Ingredients (IECIC 2021 Edition)

On January 26, 2021, China National Institutes for Food and Drug Control (NIFDC) released a draft of the newInventory of Existing Cosmetic Ingredients in China for public comments. The total number of existing cosmetic ingredients in China will be increased from the original 8,783 to 8,980. Compared with the existing version, the most significant change made in the draft IECIC is the addition of ingredients' highest historical use concentration. Other changes include adding 197 ingredients, deleting 7 ingredients, amending 50 ingredients' information, and correcting ingredient naming errors. (ChemLinked News)

Taiwan Releases a Test Method for Hair Dyes in Cosmetics

On Jan. 7, 2021, Taiwan released the Method of Test for Hair Dyes in Cosmetics, stipulating the test method of hair dyes in cosmetics, such as Basic blue 7, Basic red 51, Disperse black 9, Basic orange 31, etc. The method takes effect immediately upon promulgation. (ChemLinked News)

South Korea Updates the Packaging Materials Recyclability Grade Evaluation Standard

On January 7, 2021, MOE (Ministry of Environment) revised Packaging Materials Recyclability Grade Evaluation Standards. The Evaluation Standards of glass bottles and PET bottles are modified. Situations of coating/coloring the body of the glass bottles and printing the labels directly on the glass bottle bodies are exempted from labeling "difficult to recycle". In addition, the PET bottles without labels or labeled on the bottle caps are upgraded as "best to recycle". (ChemLinked News)

South Korea Publishes a Q&A Collection of Cosmetic Advertisement 

On January 21, 2021 MFDS posted a Q&A collection about False and Exaggerated Advertisements of Cosmetics, Medical Devices, and Quasi-drugs. This Q&A collection is to help enterprises better understand the advertising requirements on cosmetics, medical devices, and quasi-drugs and avoid improper advertisements. For cosmetic sector, it contains inappropriate advertisements misleading consumers to think the cosmetic is a medicine, a functional cosmetic, or a natural/organic cosmetic. (ChemLinked News)

South Korea Introduces the Natural and Organic Cosmetic Raw Material Certification Mechanism

To simplify the application procedure, MFDS introduced the raw material certification mechanism of the natural and organic cosmetics on January 29, 2021. This new certification mechanism realized the natural and organic cosmetic accreditation by inspecting the raw materials instead of the final products. (ChemLinked News)

Indonesia Implements New Cosmetic Labeling Regulation

Indonesia released and implemented new Technical Requirements for Cosmetics Labeling, which replaced the labeling requirements regulated in the Technical Requirements for Cosmetics 2015. The main amendments include giving detailed instructions and examples for enterprises to label the required information, prohibiting disease prevention claims, adding labeling guidelines for sunscreens, skincare products containing AHA and teeth whitening products containing or releasing Hydrogen Peroxide and adjusting administrative sanctions imposed on enterprises using illegal labeling. (ChemLinked News)

Indonesia Amends Cosmetic GMP Guideline

Indonesia released and implemented the amendments to Guideline for Cosmetic Good Manufacturing Practice. The main amendments include the introduction of Fulfillment Certificate for GMP Aspects and the inclusion of GMP Guideline Operational Instructions. Fulfillment Certificate for GMP Aspects is a newly introduced document proving that the enterprises will gradually implement GMP. (Reference Link)

Malaysia Implements Updated Halal Certification Procedure Manual, Halal Management System and Standards

On Jan. 1, 2021, Malaysia implemented the updated Halal Certification Procedure Manual, Halal Management System and Malaysian Standards. They are the main references for Malaysian halal certification, which contain halal certification procedures, internal halal control requirements, and halal standards. (ChemLinked News)

Thailand Updates the Cosmetic Act B.E. 2015 

At the end of the last December, Thailand Food and Drug Administration made several amendments to the Cosmetic Act B.E. 2015. The main updates include a) adjusting provisions related to the administration fee incurred during the cosmetic approval process; b) adding provisions related to the recall, destruction, and delivery of cosmetics; c) adding ingredient and labeling standards for hemp ingredients used in cosmetics; and d) revising labeling standards for alcohol-based hand sanitizers. (Reference Link)

Thailand Releases Ingredient and Labeling Standards for Hemp Used in Cosmetics 

On January 12, 2021, Thailand Food and Drug Administration officially allowed six low-THC hemp ingredients in cosmetics and introduced two standards to further refine the rules of hemp use. The six ingredients are mainly derived from hemp seed. Cosmetics containing such ingredients must be labeled with specific warning information in Thai. Currently, the approved hemp business only applies to the local companies in Thailand. (ChemLinked News) 

Thailand Revises the Labeling Rules of Alcohol-Based Hand Sanitizers

Thailand FDA announced revisions to the labeling rules of alcohol-based cosmetics used for hand hygiene. As per the rules, 11 required items shall be marked on the label of such products, including the product name, application method, manufacturer's name, and address, warnings, etc. The revised rules have taken effect on December 31, 2020. Stakeholders should note that the manufacture of new products shall refer to this notice. For products already on the market, the labels shall be revised in line with the notice by June 28, 2021, at the latest. (Reference Link)

India Clarifies Regulatory Requirements of the Cosmetics Rules 2020

On December 15, 2020, India released and implemented a new cosmetic regulation, the Cosmetic Rules 2020. To help enterprises cope with the new rules, India CDSCO published a collection of answers to the FAQs and a guidance document on January 19, 2021. In addition, CDSCO extended the commencement date of the new rules for stakeholders whose cosmetic approvals, registrations, and licenses were obtained before December 15, 2020, by 18 months or until the certificates expire, whichever is later. (Reference Link)

Australia Issues a List of Product Types Descriptions and Examples

On January 4, 2021, AICIS issued an extensive list, which describes product types and includes many examples, to help enterprises categorize introduction and submit the pre-introduction report. According to the list, “personal care products” mainly have two categories, limited environmental release end use, and cosmetic end use. The former includes baby wipes, facial tissues, and nail care products. The latter includes bath and shower products, make-up products, hair, oral, and skincare products, secondary sunscreen products, deodorants, and perfumes. (Reference Link)