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.
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 documents, while multiple provincial Medical Products Administrations (MPAs) released relevant Q&A materials.
On February 9, 2025, China NIFDC released an updated version of the Ingredient Usage Information for Marketed Products, further expanding the information and action sites for marketed products and optimizing reference usage principles to provide valuable support for companies conducting safety assessments.
On April 10, 2025, China's National Institutes for Food and Drug Control (NIFDC) released the Information on the Use of Some Ingredients Included in the Index of International Cosmetic Safety Assessment Data, adding 2,879 usage entries for 999 ingredients, further enhancing reference data for safety assessments.
In the first half of 2025, China introduced a series of regulatory measures to support innovation in cosmetic ingredients.
On February 6, 2025, China's National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) issued Several Provisions on Supporting Cosmetic Ingredient Innovation, aiming to further encourage innovation in cosmetic ingredients and promote the high-quality development of the cosmetics industry. This regulation took effect immediately upon release.
On March 27, 2025, China NIFDC released the Technical Guidelines for Updating New Cosmetic Ingredient Notification Informarion (Draft for Comments), offering detailed guidance for companies on how to standardize data updates and conduct related research..
On May 9, 2025, China NIFDC launched an enhanced version of the Cosmetics Smart Submission and Review System. This system upgrade, developed in alignment with the Several Provisions on Supporting Cosmetic Ingredient Innovation issued in February 2025, aims to streamline the evaluation and approval procedures for both new cosmetic ingredients (NCIs) and their associated special cosmetics.
On June 24, 2025, China NMPA issued an important announcement regarding significant adjustments for the Inventory of Existing Cosmetic Ingredient in China (IECIC 2021), which will now be dynamically maintained. The inventory has been split into two lists: List I refines the original 2021 version by removing the "maximum historical use level" column and standardizing ingredient names; List II adds notified two new cosmetic ingredients—N-acetylneuraminic acid and β-Alanyl Hydroxyprolyldiaminobutyroyl Benzylamide—that have completed a 3-year safety monitoring period and meet regulatory requirements.
On June 24, 2025, China NIFDC released two guidelines for new cosmetic ingredients, including Guidelines for Research and Determination of Safe Use History of New Cosmetic Ingredients (Trial) and Guidelines for Research and Determination of Safe Consumption History of New Cosmetic Ingredients (Trial).
The same day, China NIFDC has released nine draft cosmetic standards for public consultation. These include the General Principles for Physicochemical Testing Methods, among others, and aim to further improving the cosmetic technical standards. The public consultation period will remain open until July 15, 2025.
In the first half of 2025, China intensified its efforts to strengthen cosmetic safety oversight through new regulations, annual reports, and product inspections.
On April 9, 2025, to strengthen the regulation of cosmetics and standardize the monitoring and evaluation of safety risks, China NMPA issued Administrative Measures on Cosmetic Safety Risk Monitoring and Evaluation, which will take effect on August 1, 2025. The regulation defines safety risk monitoring and evaluation as the process by which regulators track, analyze, and address factors that may pose risks to cosmetic product quality and safety.
On May 6, 2025, China NIFDC released the 2024 Annual Review Report on Cosmetics, summarizing key review activities across seven categories. In 2024, both the number of accepted and approved special cosmetic applications increased. Notably, China saw a significant rise in notifications for cosmetics intended solely for export—a 34.9% increase over 2023.
On May 20, China NMPA published the 2024 Annual Report on National Cosmetic Sampling and Testing. A total of 21,362 batches of cosmetics across 12 categories—including acne products, toothpaste, skincare, makeup, whitening, and children’s products—were tested by 33 testing institutions. 97.79% of samples met the standards under the Safety Technical Standard for Cosmetics (2015 Edition).
Non-compliant List of Imported Cosmetics - From January to May 2025, 21 batches of imported cosmetics were denied entry by China Customs due to regulatory non-compliance. The most common issues were: labeling non-compliance (11 batches); inconsistent documentation (3 batches), and expired products (2 batches).
In the first half of 2025, China continued to refine and expand its cosmetic testing methods and technical standards, with a strong focus on alternative methods and risk-based ingredient management.
On January 22, 2025, China NIFDC announced a public consultation on nine draft testing methods for cosmetics, including toothpaste. This initiative aims to enhance the technical standards for cosmetic products.
On April 30, 2025, China NMPA issued a new supplementary testing method: BJH 202501 Determination of Meprednisone in Cosmetics. This method outlines the qualitative and quantitative analysis of Meprednisone (CAS No.1247-42-3) in various categories of cosmetics, such as liquid (water, oil), cream and milk, gel, and wax-based products.
On May 6, 2025, China NIFDC issued a new notice titled Second Call for Project Proposals for 2025 Cosmetic Standards Plan. This round of solicitation highlights four key focus areas include cosmetic ingredient standards, management of prohibited, restricted, and permitted ingredients, testing methods urgently needed for supervision,and adoption of international standards.
On May 7, 2025, China NMPA introduced seven updated testing methods into the Safety and Technical Standards for Cosmetics (2015 Edition). This announcement will take effect on March 1, 2026. Specifically, the update includes five newly added testing methods and two revised methods.
On June 24, 2025, China NIFDC has released nine draft cosmetic standards for public consultation. These include the General Principles for Physicochemical Testing Methods, among others, and aim to further improving the cosmetic technical standards. The public consultation period will remain open until July 15, 2025.
In the first half of 2025, the continued focus on product safety and ingredient innovation, reflected in over a dozen official announcements, highlights the government's strong commitment to promoting a more standardized and high-quality industry. We anticipate that more regulatory updates will follow in the second half of the year.
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*Note: This article is compiled by ZMUni Compliance Centre, drawing from the latest updates from official regulatory authorities in China. For any questions regarding interpretations or expressions, please consult the official real-time announcements.
