[Updated] Taiwan Adopts Changes to Particulars of Specific Purpose Cosmetics That May Be Voluntarily Modified

Editor's Note: This article was originally published on May 26, 2023, and was updated on September 7, 2023, as per the latest developments.

On May 19, 2023, Taiwan Food and Drug Administration (TFDA) launched a two-month consultation on a draft amendment to Particulars of Specific Purpose Cosmetics That May Be Voluntarily Modified (the Particulars).¹ On September 6, 2023, TFDA approved the revised Particulars, which entered into force upon its release.²

Specific purpose cosmetics refer to products used for sunscreening, hair dyeing, permanent waving, antiperspirant, deodorant, tooth whitening, and other purposes specified in the List of Specific Purpose Ingredients in Cosmetic Products. Before July 1, 2024, specific purpose cosmetics are subject to registration prior to the supply, sale, giveaway, or public display in Taiwan. After that, these cosmetics will be regulated as general cosmetics, and their pre-market obligation will be changed to notification and the establishment of a product information file (PIF), similar to EU and ASEAN.  

According to Cosmetic Hygiene and Safety Act, the original particulars of the registered specific purpose cosmetics shall not be modified without approval from the competent authority. However, if a change satisfies the Particulars, which specifies the modifications related to product labelling and packaging information that are exempted from approval, cosmetic enterprises may make the change at their discretion. 

When it comes to the labelling of cosmetics, a list of full ingredient names is a mandatory labelling item. For specific purpose cosmetics, in addition to complying with this requirement, the specific purpose ingredients contained therein and their contents shall be labelled separately. In line with the obligation transition of specific purpose cosmetics into general cosmetics since July 1, 2024, the revised Particulars allows cosmetic enterprises to delete the separately-listed specific purpose ingredients without filing a modification application. Besides, the content of the specific purpose ingredients shall be indicated after the names in the full ingredient list.