As China approaches the start of its 15th Five-Year Plan, the cosmetics industry is expected to enter a new stage of growth and transformation. This newly released Opinions serves as an important guide and reference for the development of China's cosmetics market over the next five years.
On November 17, 2025, China's National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) officially released the final version of the Opinions on Deepening Cosmetics Regulatory Reform and Promoting High-Quality Development of the Industry. The draft of this document was publicly released for comments in September 2025.
The Opinions introduces 24 reform measures across five key areas, aiming to encourage innovation, optimize registration and notification management, strengthen risk control across the entire supply chain, enhance intelligent regulatory capabilities, and promote alignment with international standards. Highlights are as follows:
To align with changing consumer needs and industry trends, China will support the registration of cosmetics with new efficacy claims, enabling review immediately upon submission. A pre-submission consultation mechanism will be developed, and updates to the Cosmetic Classification Rules and Catalog will follow in due course.
For international cosmetic products being launched in China for the first time, proof of sales in the country (or region) of manufacture is no longer required, following the regulations for products specifically produced for export to China.
While ensuring product quality and regulatory compliance, similar products under the same brand—differing only in certain ingredients such as colorants or fragrances—may share safety and technical documentation during registration or notification.
For cosmetics requiring re-registration due to a change in production site, original technical documentation can be used, except for microbiological and physicochemical testing reports.
China encourages enterprises to strengthen R&D on cosmetic technologies tailored for the elderly. The development, application, and registration/notification of products designed to meet the needs and characteristics of senior consumers will be supported.
China accelerates the adoption of electronic labeling to achieve digitalized management, more precise oversight, and enhanced convenience.
More on China e-labeling regulations: China Launches Pilot Program for Electronic Cosmetic Labels.
China enables on-site, simplified formulation and repackaging of notified general cosmetics at business locations to meet consumer needs, while ensuring safety, controllability, and orderly regulation.
More on China personalized Cosmetic Services: China Advances Personalized Cosmetics Pilot, Ushering in New Market Opportunities.
Changes not affecting safety or efficacy claims may now be maintained by the registrant without submitting additional approval documents.
Except for claims related to whitening, sun protection, and anti-hair loss, registrants or notifiers may choose their preferred testing methods to evaluate product efficacy.
Following the Three Rs principle, China will speed up efforts to reduce reliance on animal testing for cosmetics. Exemptions will be gradually introduced, starting with perming products, non-oxidative hair dyes, and cosmetics containing new ingredients under the safety monitoring period.
Meanwhile, accelerate the development, validation, and application of alternative testing methods.
More on cruelty-free cosmetic imports and animal test exemptions in China: Toxicology Exemptions for Imported Cosmetics in China: A Pathway for Cruelty-Free Products.
Support the timely inclusion of ingredients that have been scientifically evaluated by internationally recognized authorities and have a history of safe use abroad into China's permitted ingredient list, accelerating ingredient access.
https://www.nmpa.gov.cn/xxgk/fgwj/gzwj/gzwjhzhp/20251117143349149.html
