ZMUni Compliance Centre

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

    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

From September 21 to 30, a total of five 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.     Sodium Chondroitin   Sodium chondroitin is a functional glycosaminoglycan (GAG) found in the extracellular matrix (ECM), where it works with hyaluronic acid and collagen to support ECM homeostasis and mechanical properties. Traditionally used in orthopedics, it has recently gained attention in medical aesthetics and tissue repair.   According to Bloomage Biotech, Bloomsac™ Sodium Chondroitin is a non-sulfated polysaccharide produced by microbial fermentation using GRAS

On September 20, 2026, China's General Administration of Customs of China (GACC) released information on food products denied entry at Chinese ports in August 2026.   According to the data, 755 batches of food products that failed to meet safety, hygiene, or other relevant requirements and were therefore denied entry, representing an approximately 55% month-on-month increase from 487 batches in July 2026, an increase of 268 batches. The figure also increased by approximately 22% year-on-year, compared with 617 batches during the same period last year.   The 755 batches covered a wide range of product categories, including beverages, alcoholic beverages,

  From September 1 to 17, a total of seven 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.     Shikimic acid   Shikimic acid is a naturally occurring organic acid. IIt is widely found in plants, particularly in the fruits of Illicium species such as star anise. In the pharmaceutical field, shikimic acid is of significant value as a key starting material for the synthesis of the anti-influenza drug oseltamivir (brand name: Tamiflu). With the development of biotechnology, microbial fermentation has gradually

Cross-border e-commerce (CBEC) has made it easier for overseas dietary supplement brands to reach Chinese consumers without following the conventional import and market-entry route. However, CBEC does not remove the need to meet applicable Chinese requirements.   For products containing novel, functional, or otherwise sensitive ingredients, compliance considerations may arise across ingredient status, formulation, import documentation, labeling, online claims, and post-import operations.   In other words, a product legally sold as a dietary supplement in another country cannot necessarily be marketed in China through CBEC in the same way.     Ingredient Status Is Often the Starting Point    For

On September 1, 2026, China's General Administration of Customs of China (GACC) released information on food products denied entry at Chinese ports in July 2026.   According to the data, 487 batches of imported food were denied entry in July due to non-compliance with food safety, hygiene, and other requirements. This represented an approximately 11% month-on-month decrease from the 548 batches recorded in June, but an approximately 2% year-on-year increase from the 476 batches recorded in July 2025.   The 487 rejected batches covered a wide range of product categories, including coffee, frozen meat, poultry and aquatic products, edible oils,

  In August, a total of five new cosmetic ingredients completed notification with China's National Medical Products Administration (NMPA), significantly fewer than in previous months. The technical requirements for all related NCIs have not yet been publicly disclosed.     Camellia Petelotii Callus   Camellia petelotii is a species of the genus Camellia in the family Theaceae, mainly distributed in southern Guangxi, China, with limited distribution in Yunnan, Guangdong, and other regions.   Since 2021, related Camellia chrysantha ingredients have been notified nine times. This marks the first notification of Camellia petelotii callus.   The notifier, Hangzhou Shicang Xinya Biotechnology