导航菜单
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 March 2026, with an emphasis on updates in cosmetic ingredients and cosmetic management, among other areas.
In March 2026, 15 new cosmetic ingredients were notified with the China National Medical Products Administration (NMPA). They include:
The technical requirements for the 15 NCIs mentioned above have not been disclosed, and they have not yet entered the safety monitoring period.
More Insights:
China's NCI Issue 37: Diverse Innovations Across Bioactives and Materials
China's NCI Issue 35: Ongoing Notifications by Major Chinese Players
🔘 China Seeks Input on 6 Draft Cosmetic Standards, Including Mascara
On March 3, 2026, China's National Technical Committee for Standardization of Flavors, Fragrances and Cosmetics issued a notice inviting public comments on the second batch of proposed cosmetic standards for 2026. The consultation covers six draft national and industry standards, including products such as shaving cream, shaving gel and foam; cosmetic pencils and cartridges; massage essential oil; lip gloss, lip oil and lip glaze; mascara; and hair shampoo and cream shampoo.
Source: https://sriffi.sit.edu.cn/info/1471/4682.htm
🔘 China Releases 7 Draft Cosmetic Standards for 2026, Including EGF Testing Method
On March 18, 2026, China's National Technical Committee for Standardization of Flavors, Fragrances and Cosmetics issued a notice inviting public comments on the second batch of proposed cosmetic standards for 2026. A total of seven draft national and industry standards are included in this consultation. See previous news.
🔘 China Releases Draft Mandatory Cosmetic Safety Standard: First Revision Since 1987
On March 19, 2026, China's National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) released a public consultation draft of the mandatory national standard titled General Requirements for Cosmetic Safety. The consultation period is open until May 18, 2026. This draft replaces GB 7916-1987 Hygienic Standard for Cosmetics, marking its first revision since 1987. See previous news.
🔘 China Issues Drafts of Major Updates to Cosmetic Labelling Standard and First National Toothpaste Safety Standard
On March 30, 2026, China NMPA released two draft mandatory national standards for public consultation under the same regulatory notice. The consultation period runs from March 30 to May 29, 2026.
The first draft revises the Instructions for Use of Consumer Products – Part 3: General Labelling for Cosmetics (GB 5296.3), representing a major update to China's cosmetic labelling requirements since 2008. The revision aims to unify labelling rules across product types, enhance consumer information transparency, and introduce new approaches such as electronic labelling. Once adopted, it will replace the current GB 5296.3–2008. See previous news.
The second draft introduces, for the first time, a national standard on General Technical Requirements for the Safety of Toothpaste, establishing baseline safety requirements for toothpaste products. Although toothpaste has long been regulated in reference to cosmetic supervision rules under the Cosmetics Supervision and Administration Regulations (2021), there has previously been no standalone mandatory national standard defining general safety requirements. See previous news.
🔘 China Proposes Optimized Policies for Cosmetics Registration & Notification: First Launches, Animal Testing Exemption...
On March 31, 2026, China NMPA released the Announcement on Matters Related to Cosmetics Registration and Notification (Draft for Comments), inviting public comments from March 31 to April 30, 2026.
The draft aims to implement the Opinions on Deepening Cosmetics Regulatory Reform and Promoting High-Quality Industry Development (No. 18 [2025])and to further advance reforms in cosmetics evaluation and approval. It sets out eight key measures.
Among these, provisions related to encouraging first launches in China, reducing animal testing requirements, and simplifying changes to China responsible persons are particularly relevant to overseas companies seeking to enter the Chinese market. See previous news.
🔘 China Revises Measures on Commodity Barcodes to Strengthen Market Identification System
In March 2026, China's State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR) issued the revised Administrative Measures for Commodity Barcodes, introducing updated rules governing barcode management, which serves as the "identity card" of goods. The revision aims to reduce administrative burden on enterprises while strengthening the foundation for market circulation and consumer safety. The new Measures will take effect on May 1, 2026.
Source: https://www.samr.gov.cn/zw/zfxxgk/fdzdgknr/fgs/art/2026/art_0f6e0c2afbd149cd813886485764fc97.html
🔘 Vietnam Proposes New Cosmetics Management Decree Covering Full Product Lifecycle
On March 2, 2026, Vietnam notified the World Trade Organization (WTO) of a draft revised Decree on cosmetics management (G/TBT/N/VNM/393), aiming to establish a full lifecycle regulatory framework covering cosmetics from pre-market notification to post-market surveillance. The draft is currently open for public consultation, with a comment deadline of May 1, 2026, and a proposed entry into force on July 1, 2026.
The draft applies to both domestic and foreign entities and consists of 10 chapters and 52 articles. Key provisions include pre-market notification requirements, manufacturing and CGMP controls, import and export management (including CFS), PIF, labeling and advertising rules aligned with ASEAN requirements, digitalized procedures, risk-based post-market surveillance, and strengthened recall and enforcement measures.
Source: G/TBT/N/VNM/393
🔘 U.S. FDA Updates Cosmetics Registration Data and Enhances Cosmetics Direct Portal
On March 6, 2026, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) released updated data on cosmetic facility and product registrations. As of January 6, 2026, the number of registered cosmetic facilities reached 14,299, with 992,907 product listings.
FDA also updated the Cosmetics Direct portal and related guidance to support biennial registration renewals. Enhancements include visibility of registration status and renewal dates, automated reminders, and updated user materials to facilitate the renewal process.
🔘 South Korea Amends Cosmetics Act Decree: Adds "Cosmetics Day" and Direct-Purchase Oversight
On March 10, 2026, the Republic of Korea issued Presidential Decree No. 36176 amending the Enforcement Decree of the Cosmetics Act. The amendment introduces a "Cosmetics Day" initiative and allows national and local governments to hold related events to promote cosmetic safety and industry development, while also enabling the recognition of industry contributors.
It also establishes a framework for fact-finding investigations and data collection on overseas direct-purchase cosmetics, covering consumer demographics, purchasing and usage patterns, risk information, and consumer harm cases. The decree entered into force on March 10, 2026, with provisions related to overseas direct-purchase cosmetics effective from April 2, 2026.
On March 31, 2026, the Republic of Korea issued Prime Ministe's Decree No. 2109, further specifying implementation measures for overseas direct-purchase cosmetics regulation. The decree requires the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) to publish product information on its website, including product name, country of manufacture, manufacturer, images, ingredient information, and other safety-related data, and clarifies inspection procedures and the use of investigation results in regulatory oversight. It also takes effect on April 2, 2026.
Source:
1. Decree No. 36176, Mar. 10, 2026, Partially Amended
2. Decree No. 2109, Mar. 31, 2026, Partially Amended
🔘 U.S. FDA Launches Unified Adverse Event Monitoring System (AEMS) to Strengthen Post-Market Safety Surveillance
On March 11, 2026, the U.S. FDA announced the implementation of the FDA Adverse Event Monitoring System (AEMS), a unified platform designed to consolidate multiple existing adverse event reporting systems across all FDA-regulated product categories, including drugs, biologics, vaccines, medical devices, tobacco products, food, cosmetics, and veterinary medicines.
AEMS aims to improve the consistency and quality of safety data through standardized reporting, streamline submission processes, and enhance post-market surveillance through advanced analytics and improved case management. In addition to traditional adverse event reporting, the system will also serve as a centralized platform for consumer complaints, regulatory misconduct reports, and whistleblower submissions, supporting more efficient trend detection and regulatory decision-making to protect public health.
Source: https://www.fda.gov/drugs/surveillance/fda-adverse-event-monitoring-system-aems
🔘 South Korea Updates Cosmetics Safety Standards, Covering Hair Dyes, Sunscreen Ingredients and Testing Methods
On March 25, 2026, according to a notice from the Korea Cosmetic Industry Association, the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) has amended the Regulation on Safety Standards, etc. for Cosmetics. The update took effect on March 18, 2026. Key revisions include:
Reorganizing and clarifying the list of restricted/forbidden hair dye ingredients;
Adding a new sunscreen ingredient, Phenylene Bis-Diphenyltriazine (CAS No. 55514-22-2);
Updating test methods for dioxane, formaldehyde, and free alkali.
Source: Partial Amendment to the "Regulations on Cosmetic Safety Standards, etc."
🔘 Australia Opens Consultation on Sunscreen Regulation Improvements
On March 26, 2026, the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) launched an eight-week public consultation on proposed improvements to the regulation of therapeutic sunscreens in Australia. The consultation seeks industry and public feedback on how to strengthen the safety, reliability, and transparency of sunscreen products, following growing scrutiny over SPF testing accuracy and product performance.
The proposed measures focus on enhancing SPF testing standards, improving laboratory oversight, and clarifying sunscreen labelling requirements, including potential changes to simplify SPF communication. The initiative aims to reinforce consumer confidence and ensure sunscreen products on the Australian market deliver consistent and reliable sun protection.
Source: https://consultations.tga.gov.au/tga/improvements-to-regulation-of-sunscreens-in-aus/
🔘 UK Notifies REACH Restriction on Hazardous Substances in Tattoo Inks and PMU
On March 31, 2026, the United Kingdom notified the World Trade Organization (WTO) of a proposed restriction under UK REACH on hazardous substances used in tattoo inks and permanent make-up (PMU) (G/TBT/N/GBR/118).
The proposal introduces concentration limits for substances classified as carcinogenic, mutagenic, reprotoxic (CMR), skin sensitising, corrosive, and seriously eye-damaging under the GB classification and labelling system. It also extends restrictions to substances listed as prohibited in the UK Cosmetics Regulation.
In addition, the measure sets specific labelling requirements for tattooing mixtures, including the declaration of pH regulators and allergen warnings for substances such as nickel and chromium (VI).
The measure aims to address identified human health risks associated with tattoo inks and PMU. The proposed adoption date is December 2026, with entry into force expected in December 2028 for formulators and suppliers, and an additional transition period until December 2029 for professional use. The deadline for comments is May 30, 2026.
Source: https://members.wto.org/crnattachments/2026/TBT/GBR/26_01788_00_e.pdf
*Note: This article is compiled by ZMUni Compliance Centre, drawing from the latest updates from official regulatory authorities in various countries and regions. For any questions regarding interpretations or expressions, please consult the official real-time announcements.
