ZMUni Compliance Centre

On December 19, 2025, China's National Institutes for Food and Drug Control (NIFDC) released Technical Guidelines for Cosmetic Ingredient Intended Uses(Trial), the Guidelines will come into effect on June 19, 2026. 

The NIFDC also provided responses to several key questions regarding the Guidelines:

• What is meant by "cosmetic ingredient intended uses"?

The "intended uses" of a cosmetic ingredient refers to the intended function of the ingredient when added to a cosmetic product. This includes effects exerted at the site of application (e.g., hair dyes), as well as functions within the formulation system itself (e.g., solvents). Depending on how an ingredient is used in a cosmetic product, the same ingredient may have different declared use purposes.

• How many cosmetic ingredient intended uses are included in the Guidelines?

The annex to the Guidelines contains the Catalogue of Cosmetic Ingredient Intended Uses (hereinafter referred to as the "Catalogue"), which includes 72 types of ingredient intended functions, along with corresponding descriptions. The Catalogue was developed based on extensive reference to relevant international standards, as well as China's current regulatory framework, technical standards, and industry practices.

• Will the Guidelines be updated in the future?

The Guidelines are formulated based on existing regulations, standards, and the current level of scientific understanding. As regulations, standards, data, and scientific and technological developments continue to evolve, the Guidelines will be adjusted in a timely manner.

• Can intended uses outside the Catalogue be declared?

In principle, when registering or notifying cosmetics or new cosmetic ingredients, applicants should give priority to selecting intended functions listed in the Catalogue. However, considering the needs of industry innovation and regulatory practice, if an ingredient's intended use genuinely falls outside the Catalogue, applicants may declare "other intended uses" and submit supporting documentation.

Such supporting materials should fully demonstrate the scientific rationale, necessity, and compliance of the declared use purpose. These typically include ingredient intended use  recognized under overseas cosmetic regulations or standards (with both original texts and Chinese translations provided), or relevant functional research data.