Monthly Recap: Global Cosmetic Regulatory Updates | March 2026

Chinese Mainland

China Implements 12 Cosmetics Testing Methods in March

In May and August 2025, China National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) announced amendments to the Safety and Technical Standards for Cosmetics (STSC), introducing 10 new testing methods and revising 2 existing ones. The methods, listed below, officially came into effect on March 1, 2026.

SAMR Issues the Notice on Strengthening the Supervision of Advisory statements in Advertisements

On March 13, 2026, the State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR) issued the Notice on Strengthening the Supervision of Advisory Statements in Advertisements. The Notice aims to curb misleading marketing practices that exploit "wordplay," such as using prominent claims in large fonts while relegating disclaimers to fine print, or employing selectively tailored citations to mislead consumers. It also seeks to further standardize the use of advisory statements in advertising. A six-month nationwide rectification campaign targeting the misuse and disorderly application of advisory statements will be conducted from March 13, 2026.

China NMPA Seeks Public Consultation on General Requirements for Cosmetic Safety

On March 19, 2026, the China National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) issued a notice to solicit public comments on the mandatory national standard General Requirements for Cosmetic Safety (Draft), which is intended to replace the long-standing GB 7916-1987 Hygienic Standard for Cosmetics. The consultation period runs from March 19 to May 18, 2026. The draft introduces enhanced cosmetic safety requirements, including ingredient traceability, tighter limits on microbiological contamination and harmful substances, and more stringent provisions for children's cosmetics.

Shanghai Releases Implementation Rules for the 2026 Metrological Supervision and Random Inspection of Food and Cosmetic Packaging

On March 20, 2026, the Shanghai Municipal Administration for Market Regulation officially issued the Implementation Rules for the 2026 Shanghai Metrological Supervision and Random Inspection of Food and Cosmetic Packaging, which took effect immediately upon release. The document outlines the sampling methods, inspection items, and determination criteria for random inspections on the metrology of food and cosmetic packaging.

Guangdong Issues Action Plan to Enhance Cosmetic Production Quality Management Systems

On March 24, 2026, Guangdong MPA officially issued its provincial action plan to improve the production quality management systems of cosmetic enterprises, serving as a localized implementation of the national plan released by NMPA in December 2025. Compared with the general national framework, the Guangdong plan introduces more specific tasks and implementation measures. Key highlights include extending oversight across the supply chain and post-market monitoring, establishing a three-level support system and a five-step workflow, promoting digital transformation, and setting specific targets to foster globally competitive beauty brands and enhance international industry influence.

China Outlines 2026 Cosmetics Regulatory Priorities at National Work Conference

On March 24–25, 2026, the 2026 National Cosmetics Supervision and Administration Work Conference was held in Nanchang, Jiangxi. The meeting reviewed regulatory achievements in 2025 and during the 14th Five-Year Plan period, and set out key priorities for 2026.

As the opening year of the 15th Five-Year Plan, five major tasks were highlighted: enhancing top-level regulatory design through improved laws and standards; strengthening risk control to ensure product safety; deepening regulatory reforms to support high-quality industry development; advancing the application of modern technologies to build smarter regulatory systems; and fostering a co-governance framework to facilitate the global expansion of domestic cosmetic brands.

SAMR Updates Commodity Barcode Rules to Support a Unified National Market

On March 27, 2026, SAMR issued the revised Measures for the Administration of Commodity Barcodes, which will take effect on May 1, 2026. The revisions aim to support a unified national market by standardizing full life-cycle management of commodity barcodes. Key changes include:

1) Simplified procedures: Canceling qualification certification for barcode printing enterprises, exempting sellers from checking barcode certification documents, and standardizing charging fees;

2) Improved traceability: Enhancing commodity quality and safety traceability, and accelerating digital data collection;

3) Expanded standards: Introducing new requirements for bulk commodities to strengthen practical application.

China NMPA Consults on Mandatory National Standards for Cosmetic Labelling and Toothpaste Safety

On March 30, 2026, China's National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) launched a public consultation on two mandatory national standards: Instructions for Use of Consumer Products Part 3: General Labelling for Cosmetics (Draft), and General Requirements of Safety and Technical for Toothpastes (Draft). These updates aim to translate existing administrative requirements into concrete technical specifications, and provide a 12‑month transition period for industry compliance.

China NMPA Proposes Major Reforms to Streamline Cosmetics Registration and Notification

On March 31, 2026, China's National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) released the draft Announcement on Matters Concerning Cosmetics Registration and Notification for public consultation, as a concrete step to implement the Opinions on Deepening the Reform of Cosmetic Administration and Promoting the High-Quality Development of the Industry issued in November 2025. The draft introduces major reforms to optimize cosmetics registration and notification, including exemptions from animal testing and certificate of free sale requirements, data-sharing mechanisms for similar products, and streamlined dossier rules, with the public invited to submit comments until April 30, 2026.

Guangdong Regulatory Authorities Publish Five Batches of FAQs

In March 2026, Guangzhou Administration for Market Regulation (AMR) and Evaluation & Inspection Center of Guangdong MPA issued five batches of FAQs, addressing topics such as cosmetics e-labelling, annual reporting for general cosmetics, evaluation of cosmetic efficacy claims, and toothpaste notification dossiers.

China NMPA Approves 15 Low-risk NCIs Notification

In March 2026, NMPA updated the notification status of 15 new cosmetic ingredients (NCIs). Since the detailed technical requirements for newly notified NCIs have not been made public, the English translations below are merely literal translations based on these NCIs' Chinese names, which may differ from the INCI names provided by the notifiers.

1) Saussurea Laniceps Callus Culture Extract, notified on March 3

2) Acer Truncatum Seed Oil, notified on March 3

3) Lard, notified on March 9

4) Pentapeptide-129 AEEA-AEEA Tetrapeptide-10, notified on March 10

5) Camellia Chekiangoleosa Leaf Extract, notified on March 11

6) Camellia Chekiangoleosa Flower Extract, notified on March 11

7) Lycium Ruthenicum Fruit Extract, notified on March 11

8) Aronia Melanocarpa Fruit Juice, notified on March 12

9) Anoectochilus Roxburghii Callus Culture Extract, notified on March 12

10) sr-Mussel Decapeptide-1, notified on March 13

11) Ceramide OP, notified on March 16

12) Tetrastigma Hemsleyanum Leaf Extract, notified on March 18

13) Caprylic/Capric/Succinic Triglyceride/Hydrogenated Castor Oil/ IPDI Copolymer, notified on March 20

14) Camellia Petelotii Flower Extract, notified on March 23

15) Saussurea Salwinensis Callus Culture Lysate Filtrate, notified on March 30

A Compilation of Cosmetics-related Standards for March 2026

In March 2026, China issued 11 cosmetics-related standards, including 8 drafts released for public consultation. The essential information is as follows: