ZMUni Compliance Centre

On July 23, 2025, China announced that the full customs closure of the Hainan Free Trade Port will take effect on December 18, 2025. This marks a key step in China's reform agenda, establishing Hainan as a customs-supervised free trade zone with zero tariffs, simplified import procedures, and global-standard investment rules.   For international brands in cosmetics, personal care, food, and other FMCG sectors, Hainan is becoming a strategic gateway into China, offering preferential tax policies, supply chain flexibility, and streamlined regulatory access.   What Is "Customs Closure"?   Over the past decade, China has pursued a more targeted, rules-based trade policy, with the

The global food industry is increasingly driven by innovation in new food ingredients, which offer novel nutritional, functional, or sensory benefits. However, bringing such substances to market requires rigorous approval processes in major markets like China, the European Union, and the United States—each with distinct regulatory frameworks.   A critical question could arise amid this landscape: Do these regions grant protection periods to applicants after their novel food secure approval?   This inquiry touches on the core dynamics of innovation incentives, market competition, and the balance between recouping R&D investments and fostering industry progress.     01 China: No Explicit

From July 10 to July 22, 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.      S-Acetyl-L-Glutathione S-Acetyl-L-Glutathione (SAG), an important precursor of glutathione, has gained widespread attention in recent years in the fields of food and dietary supplements. Glutathione is a key antioxidant in the human body, involved in various physiological functions, including antioxidant defense, immune regulation, and detoxification processes. SAG possesses antioxidant, brightening, and anti-aging properties, and

  On July 17, 2025, China's General Administration of Customs (GACC) released its list of non-compliant imported food products for June 2025. According to the list, a total of 485 batches from 45 countries and regions were denied entry — representing a 4% increase from the previous month and a 13% rise year-on-year. The number of non-compliant food imports continues to rise.   The majority of non-compliant imports came from Spain (18.1%), the U.S. ranked second (17.5%), followed by Brazil (13.2%), and Japan (7.4%). Key reasons for import rejections included:   - Non-compliance with national food standards (272 batches) - Unqualified labeling (55 batches) - Discrepancy between cargo and certificates (54

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