ZMUni Compliance Centre

On October 20, 2026, China's General Administration of Customs of China (GACC) released information on food products denied entry at Chinese ports in September 2026.   In September, Chinese customs authorities identified 546 batches of food products that failed to meet safety, hygiene, or other relevant requirements and were therefore denied entry. This represented a 28% month-on-month decrease, down 209 batches from 755 in August 2026, but a 23% year-on-year increase, up 103 batches from 443 during the same period last year.   The 546 batches covered a wide range of product categories, including frozen meat, poultry and aquatic products,

    On October 23, 2026, China's National Institutes for Drug Control (NIDC) issued the Trial Mechanism for Innovation Guidance on New Cosmetic Ingredients, aiming to encourage innovation in cosmetic ingredients and accelerate their market introduction and use.   Under the mechanism, the NIDC, the technical review body for cosmetics under the National Medical Products Administration (NMPA), will work with provincial medical products administrations to provide pre-submission technical guidance to applicants seeking to register or notify new cosmetic ingredients.   The mechanism establishes three types of guidance:   Guidance Type Responsible Authorities Key Details Innovation Guidance for Key Ingredients NIDC

Cosmetic claims play an important role in product marketing and regulatory compliance worldwide. While requirements vary across markets, China has a distinct approach to regulating cosmetic efficacy claims. For example, beyond requiring appropriate supporting evidence, China links claimed efficacy to product classification and registration or filing requirements.   For overseas brands entering China, understanding this framework is an important step in assessing regulatory obligations. This article explores China’s cosmetic efficacy classification system, key substantiation requirements, and recent developments concerning cosmetics claiming new efficacy.     1. How Are Cosmetic Efficacy Claims Classified in China?   Under China's Cosmetic Classification Rules

  On October 15, 2026, China's National Institutes for Drug Control (NIFDC) opened two cosmetic standards for public consultation: Cosmetic Freeze-Dried Products and Cosmetics for Single Use.  Comments are invited until November 22, 2026.   Cosmetic Freeze-Dried Products As vacuum freeze-drying technology becomes increasingly common in cosmetics, freeze-dried products are gaining popularity for their ability to preserve the activity of ingredients and extend shelf life. The Cosmetic Freeze-Dried Products standard establishes quality requirements covering sensory properties, physicochemical properties, microbiological limits and harmful substances. It specifies test methods for key parameters such as moisture content and reconstitution, and sets requirements for

    From October 10 to 16, a total of four new cosmetic ingredients completed notification with China's National Medical Products Administration (NMPA). The technical requirements for all related NCIs have not yet been publicly disclosed.     Cyclic Peptides (Notification No. 20260152)   Cyclization is a well-established strategy for improving peptide stability. Cyclic peptides have stable conformations and a certain degree of resistance to enzymatic degradation, while offering both affinity and mildness. This cyclic peptide is the sixth peptide-based new cosmetic ingredient filed by Zhejiang Peptites, with designated functions as an anti-wrinkle agent and skin protectant. Zhejiang Peptites is

    On October 15, 2026, China's National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) issued Announcement No. 100 of 2026, introducing the Toothpaste Classification Catalogue. The new catalogue establishes a unified framework for classifying toothpaste products based on their efficacy claims and intended users, while setting clearer requirements for product filing and labelling.   The catalogue will take effect on May 1, 2027, with transitional arrangements for products already on the market.     Eight Efficacy Categories and Two User Groups   The catalogue divides toothpaste products into eight efficacy categories, each with defined mechanisms of action and corresponding claim wording. Code

This article provides a comprehensive overview of key regulatory developments in the food sector in September 2026, 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.     Asia    🔘 Hong Kong Proposes Amendments to Sweeteners in Food Regulations   On September 4, 2026, Hong Kong launched a public consultation on proposed amendments to the Sweeteners in Food Regulations (Cap. 132U). Key proposals include extending regulatory coverage to sugar alcohols, expanding the list

    On October 12, 2026, China National Center for Food Safety Risk Assessment (CFSA) issued a public consultation on 6 new varieties of food additives. The consultation is open until November 12, 2026, and comments or suggestions can be submitted to the official email address: xspyl@cfsa.net.cn. Details are as follows:     1. D-psicose-3-epimerase   D-psicose-3-epimerase has previously been approved as an enzyme preparation for use in the food industry under the National Health Commission (NHC) Announcement No. 3 of 2023 and subsequent announcements.   The D-psicose-3-epimerase currently under public consultation is a new enzyme preparation derived from a