导航菜单
On October 23, 2026, China's National Institutes for Drug Control (NIDC) issued the Trial Mechanism for Innovation Guidance on New Cosmetic Ingredients, aiming to encourage innovation in cosmetic ingredients and accelerate their market introduction and use.
Under the mechanism, the NIDC, the technical review body for cosmetics under the National Medical Products Administration (NMPA), will work with provincial medical products administrations to provide pre-submission technical guidance to applicants seeking to register or notify new cosmetic ingredients.
The mechanism establishes three types of guidance:
| Guidance Type | Responsible Authorities | Key Details |
|---|---|---|
| Innovation Guidance for Key Ingredients |
NIDC |
Solicits and selects new cosmetic ingredients with significant innovation potential for inclusion on a priority list, providing early-stage and ongoing guidance to accelerate their market introduction. |
| Consultation on Major Technical Issues |
NIDC |
Organizes consultations on significant technical issues involving new ingredients outside the first category, including new safety assessment strategies or methods, emerging technologies requiring confirmation of quality and safety evaluation, and other major technical issues. |
| Early Guidance and Follow-up by Local Authorities |
Local Medical Products Administration |
Provide early-stage consultation and follow-up guidance for new cosmetic ingredients developed by companies within their respective jurisdictions, supported by the NIDC. |
For other general inquiries, companies may consult the NIFDC in person, by email or by telephone, in accordance with its notice on the handling of review-related inquiries.
A key incentive under the mechanism is priority review through a dedicated review channel for registered new cosmetic ingredients included in the innovation guidance program, as well as special cosmetics that use these ingredients. For notified new cosmetic ingredients covered by the program, post-notification technical verification will, in principle, no longer be conducted once the relevant issues have been discussed and confirmed with the authorities before notification. These measures are expected to shorten the time required to bring eligible new ingredients and related cosmetic products to market.
The mechanism also makes clear that the guidance provided does not guarantee a positive review outcome, and that review standards will remain unchanged. Companies that submit false information, breach their commitments, or fail to cooperate may no longer be eligible to apply for innovation guidance. The NIDC will regularly publish updates on implementation, along with technical Q&As and guidance documents.
