ZMUni Compliance Centre

For related insights on ingredient approvals, see our article on New Food Ingredient Applications in China – H1 2025. Both food ingredients and food additives are regulated under China's "Three New Foods" system.     Overview As of June 30, 2025, China's National Health Commission (NHC) released two official "Three New Foods" announcements (Notice No. 1 and No. 3 of 2025), approving 14 new food additive varieties, including new substances, expanded usage scopes, and updated specifications. This is consistent with the number of approvals granted in the first half of 2024, indicating a stable regulatory pace.   H1 2025 at

As the food industry grows and consumer demands diversify, innovation in new food ingredients becomes crucial for product differentiation and market strategy in China.   This article summarizes China's new food ingredient acceptance, approval, and regulatory trends in H1 2025 (data up to June 30), offering practical compliance insights for food companies.     Application Trends and Review Progress In H1 2025, China had received 34 new food ingredient applications, marking a significant year-on-year increase. Among them, 27 were domestic and 7 were imported. Compared with the same period in 2024, the number of applications more than doubled—already surpassing the full-year

  Overview of New Cosmetic Ingredient (NCI) Notifications in H1 2025 According to data published by China National Medical Products Administration (NMPA), a total of 80 new cosmetic ingredients completed notification procedures in the first half of 2025, marking a 77.8% year-on-year increase.   Among the 80 notifications, 11 were submitted by overseas enterprises from Japan, South Korea, the United Kingdom, France, and Italy, indicating a continued trend of international innovation entering the Chinese market.   Another notable trend is the rise of China's distinctive plant-derived ingredients, such as Chrysanthemum lavandulifolium extract, Paeonia delavayi seed oil, Phlomoides rotata extract, and Stachyose, highlighting China's

In the first half of 2025, China continued to advance reforms in cosmetic regulations and oversight. This article provides a systematic review of regulatory updates across four key areas, offering insight into the evolving compliance landscape.   Full Version of China Cosmetic Safety Assessment Reports As of May 1, 2025, all cosmetic registrants and notifiers in China are required to submit a full version of safety assessment report that complies with the latest regulatory requirements when applying for product registration or notification.   To support this transition, China's National Institutes for Food and Drug Control (NIFDC) issued a series of official notices and guidance

Last month, ZMUni Compliance Centre hosted a webinar focused on compliance requirements for special cosmetics in China. During the session, we introduced the basic definitions, regulatory pathways including registration and timelines for different product types, and shared typical enforcement cases involving non-compliant formulations.   One major concern was the potential criminal liability linked to the use of prohibited or unapproved cosmetic ingredients — a growing issue in recent years. These cases highlight the need for full compliance, not just in formulation, but also in labeling and documentation.   To manage these risks, companies must understand China's regulatory ingredient references. The Safety and

From July 1 to July 9, 2025, 4 new cosmetic ingredients were notified with the China National Medical Products Administration (NMPA).   The technical requirements for the 4 new cosmetic ingredients mentioned above have not been disclosed, and they have not yet entered the safety monitoring period.   Phytonadione Epoxide In recent years, the growing emphasis on efficacy-driven skincare has brought increased attention to vitamin-based ingredients in cosmetics. Traditional Vitamin K-1, however, is banned under China's Safety Technical Standards for Cosmetic due to its instability and allergenic potential. To address these issues, the notifier, Shandong Guangtongbao Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., developed a structurally optimized derivative

In the first half of 2025, cosmetic regulations worldwide have evolved steadily. From mature markets in Europe and North America to emerging Asian economies, countries have made updates to ensure consumer safety, protect the environment, and advance industry development.    These changes affect product market access and consumer interests directly.   ZMUni Compliance Centre has summarized key regulatory updates from major markets, including the EU, US, Canada, South Korea and ASEAN.   Europe   EU updated Borderline Manual Manual with Vial and Ampoule Product Criteria: On January 24, 2025, the European Commission updated the Borderline Manual to clarify that products

This article provides a comprehensive overview of key regulatory developments in the food sector in June 2025, both in China and internationally. It focuses on updates related to new food ingredients, food additives, health foods, and feed, aiming to offer timely and in-depth regulatory alerts for enterprises engaged in food import and export.   China Food Regulatory Updates Regulations & Standards   In June 2025, the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress released the Draft Amendment to the Food Safety Law of the People's Republic of China for public consultation. Enterprises are encouraged to submit their feedback via the official NPC website