On September 13, 2024, the National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) of China issued a public notice revealing that a Spanish cosmetic company is suspected of using the prohibited ingredient "Diflorasone Propionate" in its products. To Ensure Public Safety in Cosmetic Use, China NMPA has ordered a suspension of sales of the company’s implicated products in China.
The misuse of prohibited and restricted cosmetic ingredients is a common violation in China. These practices pose significant risks to consumer health and undermine market integrity. In response, regulatory authorities are continuously tightening enforcement measures to ensure compliance and uphold product safety and quality standards.
In China, the key compliance considerations for the use of cosmetic ingredients include the following:
| Ingredient Classification
-Prohibited Ingredients: Listed in the Inventory of Prohibited Ingredients for Cosmetics, these ingredients are banned due to potential health risks or other safety concerns.
-Restricted Ingredients: Ingredients such as preservatives, UV filters, colorants, and hair dyes can only be used under specific conditions, including concentration limits and application guidelines.
-Approved Ingredients: Ingredients that comply with the Safety and Technical Standards for Cosmetics and other relevant regulations are permitted for use in cosmetic products.
| Ingredient Usage Evaluation
-The Inventory of Existing Cosmetic Ingredients in China (2021 Edition) serves as the reference for manufacturers to select compliant ingredients. Manufacturers must adhere to the conditions listed in this directory.
-New cosmetic ingredients(NCI) that have notified may be used by enterprises in compliance with the corresponding technical requirements.
-For other ingredients, companies must submit NCI notification/registration applications and obtain approval before use.
| Safety Risk Assessment
Cosmetic companies are encouraged to conduct a safety risk assessment on their chosen ingredients to ensure consumer safety. Those companies shall take responsibility for the product quality and safety, ensuring compliance with all relevant national laws, standards, and regulations.
| Special Population Considerations
Particular attention must be paid to ingredients used in cosmetics for special populations, such as children. Ingredients for whitening, acne treatment, and other functional products, as well as NCI under monitoring, are strictly prohibited.
| Legal Sourcing of Ingredients
If the ingredients are sourced from endangered species, companies must obtain the necessary certification, such as a CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora) certificate, to ensure the legality of the ingredient source.
Cosmetic compliance is crucial but can also be quite challenging. To address these complexities, ZMUni Compliance Centre offers one-stop solutions, covering everything from NCI application, cosmetic safety risk assessment, cosmetic product application to cosmetic customs clearance services. If you require any assistance with these services, feel free to contact us at info@zmuni.com.
