ZMUni Compliance Centre

    On November 17, 2025, China's National Institutes for Food and Drug Control (NIFDC) has released 3 draft cosmetic standards for public consultation. The public consultation period will remain open until December 12, 2025.   The drafts include newly added prohibited ingredients, as well as updates to maximum limits and usage restrictions for permitted preservatives and hair dyes. Detailed standards are as follows:   No. Name Current Requirements Proposed Changes 1 Mercury and its compounds • Mercury and its compounds are listed as prohibited ingredients under Table 1 of the Safety Technical Standards for Cosmetics (STSC), except for two phenylmercury salts (phenylmercuric borate and thimerosal)

From November 11 to 17, 2025, 7 new cosmetic ingredients (NCIs) were notified with the China National Medical Products Administration (NMPA).     The technical requirements for the 7 new cosmetic ingredients mentioned above have not been disclosed, and they have not yet entered the safety monitoring period; five of the seven are plant-derived ingredients.   Pentyl 3-glyceryl Ascorbate Pentyl 3-glyceryl Ascorbate is a vitamin C derivative. During its development, SEIWA KASEI leveraged advanced molecular design to modify the chemical structure and significantly enhance the ingredient's stability, effectively addressing the long-standing issue of vitamin C's susceptibility to oxidation.   SEIWA KASEI holds a dominant position in

From November 1 to 10, 2025, 4 new cosmetic ingredients (NCIs) 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.   Bicyclic Octapeptide-68 Bicyclic Octapeptide-68 is the first bicyclic peptide introduced to the cosmetic industry in China and worldwide. Compared with traditional linear peptides, bicyclic peptides offer greater stability and lower irritation, making them a highly promising class of actives.   Proya Cosmetics Co., Ltd. is a leading Chinese beauty company with strong capabilities in R&D, manufacturing, and brand

  On October 31, Chinese authorities including the Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Commerce, Ministry of Culture and Tourism, General Administration of Customs, and State Taxation Administration jointly issued the Notice on Improving Duty-Free Store Policies to Support Consumption. Effective November 1, 2025, the policy aims to further stimulate consumption and promote the healthy development of duty-free retail.   The updated policy expands product categories in duty-free stores, adds more portable consumer goods, including mobile phones, mini drones, sports goods, health foods, over-the-counter medicines, and pet food, and streamlines store approvals and operations while enhancing online pre-order and pick-up services. Among

This article provides a comprehensive overview of key regulatory developments in the food sector in October 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 Chinese Mainland   🔘 China Issues New National Safety Standards for FSMPs On October 9, 2025, China's National Health Commission(NHC) and the State Administration for Market Regulation(SAMR) jointly released two national food safety standards: GB 29922-2025 National Food Safety Standard General Rules for Foods for Special

On October 23, 2025, China's General Administration of Customs (GACC) released its list of non-compliant imported food products for September 2025. A total of 443 batches from 45 countries and regions were denied entry, representing a month-on-month decrease of approximately 28% (down 174 batches from 617 in August) and a year-on-year decrease of about 6% (down 28 batches from 471 in September 2024).   Key Issues Identified: The main problems were concentrated in the following areas: non-compliant labeling (16.5%), detection of melengestrol acetate (12.6%), discrepancies between goods and certificates (9.0%), registration issues with foreign manufacturers (7.0%), and failed sensory inspections (6.8%). Additional concerns included detection of animal diseases, furazolidone metabolites, sodium metabisulfite, parasites, and unauthorized

China is strengthening oversight of imported food, particularly products entering through cross-border e-commerce channels. A recent enforcement inspection report, released during the 18th session of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, highlights regulatory gaps that could directly affect foreign companies' market access and long-term compliance stability.   While China has made notable progress in food safety governance over the past decade, including regulatory frameworks, standards, and enforcement capabilities, the report underscores that imported foods remain a key compliance challenge as authorities shift from "convenience-focused management" to more detailed, risk-based oversight.   Key Compliance Challenges for Imported and Cross-Border Foods The report identifies three

The global cosmetics regulatory environment continues to evolve. To help businesses stay updated with regulatory changes, ZMUni Compliance Center regularly releases a monthly recap of global cosmetics regulations. This article covers the regulatory developments related to cosmetics in China and globally in October 2025, with an emphasis on updates in cosmetic ingredients and cosmetic management, among other areas.   China Cosmetic Regulatory Updates New Cosmetics Ingredients (NCI) In October 2025, 17 new cosmetic ingredients were notified with the China National Medical Products Administration (NMPA). They include:   To learn more about these NCIs and their respective companies, check out the following episodes: Issue 23: Actives