China Publishes Draft Cosmetic Standards on Preservatives and Hair Dyes

Publication date：2025-11-17

On November 17, 2025, China's National Institutes for Food and Drug Control (NIFDC) has released 3 draft cosmetic standards for public consultation. The public consultation period will remain open until December 12, 2025.

The drafts include newly added prohibited ingredients, as well as updates to maximum limits and usage restrictions for permitted preservatives and hair dyes. Detailed standards are as follows:

No.	Name	Current Requirements	Proposed Changes
1	Mercury and its compounds	• Mercury and its compounds are listed as prohibited ingredients under Table 1 of the Safety Technical Standards for Cosmetics (STSC), except for two phenylmercury salts (phenylmercuric borate and thimerosal) listed as permitted preservatives in Table 4. • Mercury may appear as an impurity; its limit must not exceed 1 mg/kg, with the note: "except for eye cosmetics containing organic mercury preservatives."	• The two phenylmercury salts in Table 4 will be reclassified as prohibited. • Entry No. 888 will be renamed to "Mercury (CAS No. 7439-97-6) and its compounds." • The note under the mercury limit will be removed. • After revision, the requirements will align with Japan and ASEAN.
2	Biphenyl-2-ol and its salts	• Biphenyl-2-ol and its salts are listed as permitted preservatives under Table 4 of China's STSC. • Maximum allowed concentration in cosmetics: 0.2% (calculated as phenol).	• Maximum concentration: (a) 0.2% (as phenol) for rinse-off products (b) 0.15% (as phenol) for leave-on products • Scope and restrictions: (a) Rinse-off products shall not be used in products with potential inhalation risk (b) Leave-on products shall not be used in products with potential inhalation risk • Labeling requirement: Mandatory instructions and precautions must include: "Avoid contact with eyes." • After revision, the requirements will largely align with the EU.
3	Acid Violet 43	• Acid Violet 43 (CI 60730) is listed as a permitted hair dye under Table 7 of China's STSC. • Maximum allowed concentration in non-oxidative hair dye products: 1.0%. • Other restrictions: water-insoluble content must be at least 0.4%.	• Maximum concentration in non-oxidative hair dye products adjusted to 0.5%. • Other restrictions: water-insoluble content adjusted to not exceed 0.4%. • After revision, the requirements will align with regulations in the EU, US, and other regions.