The global cosmetics regulatory environment continues to evolve. To help businesses stay updated with regulatory changes, ZMUni Compliance Center regularly releases a monthly recap of global cosmetics regulations. This article covers the regulatory developments related to cosmetics within China and globe in March 2025, with an emphasis on updates in cosmetic ingredient, cosmetic notification, labeling, etc.
In March 2025, 11 new cosmetic ingredients were notified with the China National Medical Products Administration (NMPA). They include:
|
Ingredient Name in CN and EN |
Notification No. |
Notifier |
|
铁皮石斛（DENDROBIUM OFFICINALE）培养物 |
20250020 |
沈阳科康科技有限公司 |
|
HDI/二 C12-14 醇酒石酸酯/氢化二聚亚油醇共聚物 Hdi/di-c12-14 Alkyl Tartrate/hydrogenated Dilinoleyl Alcohol Copolymer |
20250021 |
Intercos S.p.A. (Italy) |
|
sh-五肽-12 SP sh-Pentapeptide-12 SP |
20250022 |
CAREGEN CO., LTD. (South Korea) |
|
红景天苷 Salidroside |
20250023 |
深圳瑞德林生物技术有限公司 |
|
金花茶（CAMELLIA CHRYSANTHA）花提取物 CAMELLIA CHRYSANTHA Flower Extract |
20250024 |
广西和桂集团有限公司 |
|
金花茶（CAMELLIA CHRYSANTHA）叶提取物 CAMELLIA CHRYSANTHA Leaf Extract |
20250025 |
广西和桂集团有限公司 |
|
吡咯并喹啉醌二钠盐 Pyrroloquinoline Quinone Disodium Salt，PQQ |
20250026 |
清远市望莎生物科技有限公司 |
|
金线莲（Anoectochilus roxburghii）提取物 Anoectochilus Roxburghii Extract |
20250027 |
维琪医药研发（广东横琴）有限公司 |
|
聚天冬氨酸螯合锌 |
20250028 |
优然创新（北京）技术研发中心有限公司 |
|
银扇草（Lunaria Annua）籽油 Lunaria Annua Seed Oil |
20250029 |
Northstar Lipids (UK) Ltd. |
|
裂褶菌（SCHIZOPHYLLUM COMMUNE）发酵产物滤液 Schizophyllum Commune (Mushroom) Ferment Extract Filtrate |
20250030 |
北商加美（北京）科技有限公司 |
The technical requirements for the 11 new cosmetic ingredients mentioned above have not been disclosed, and they have not yet entered the monitoring period.
Prior to this update, ZMUni has consistently released articles introducing NCI updates, including approval status and market applications. For more detailed information, check the following episodes:
China's NCI Approval Updates (March 10 to 16, 2025): Dual-Use Ingredients for Food and Cosmetics
China's NCI Approval Updates (March 17 to 23, 2025): Another Plant-based Ingredient
On March 14, 2025, China's National Institutes for Food and Drug Control (NIFDC) held a technical exchange meeting focused on fermentation-derived new cosmetic ingredient (NCI). The event aimed to implement the previously released Several Provisions on Supporting Cosmetic Ingredient Innovation, understand industry R&D trends, and enhance technical support for ingredient development. Discussions covered key topics such as NCI notification formats, naming principles, composition analysis, risk control, and strain safety assessments. Industry representatives shared their experiences in ingredient innovation and provided suggestions on improving the technical management of fermentation-derived NCIs.
On March 16, the Launching Ceremony of 2025 National Premium Products Debut Season & "FIRST in Shanghai" Event Series kicked off at Zhangyuan, Jing'an Ditrict. At the luanching ceremony, the Shanghai Municipal Commission of Commerce officially released the Measures to Further Promote the High-Quality Development of Shanghai's First Launch Economy (FIRST in Shanghai 3.0), strengthening institutional innovation and service support to enhance the debut environment for domestic and international brands. See previous report.
On March 27, 2025, China NIFDC released the Technical Guidelines for Updating New Cosmetic Ingredient Notification Informarion (Draft for Comments) for public consultation. The deadline for public feedback is April 15, 2025. On the same day, China National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) Cosmetic Standards Committee held its first director-level meeting of 2025 in Beijing. The meeting approved eight cosmetic standards (safety technical specifications) and two mandatory national standard development plans. See previous report.
On March 17, 2025, China NIFDC released the third installment of its technical Q&A series on new cosmetic ingredients. The update addresses common questions related to the submission of documents such as annual reports and risk control reports.
On March 27, 2025,the Beijing Medical Products Administration issued "FAQs on the Registration of General Cosmetics" (Vol. 43), with a special focus on cosmetic safety assessment. This edition addresses topics such as alternative methods for skin sensitization testing listed in the Safety and Technical Standards for Cosmetics and how to conduct safety assessments for fragrances used in formulations.
On March 21, 2025, the General Administration of Customs of China (GACC) released the list of non-compliant imported cosmetics during port inspections in February. A total of three batches of hair care products were denied entry due to safety and hygiene issues. All non-compliant products have been lawfully returned or destroyed.
On March 13, 2025, the European Commission submitted notification G/TBT/N/EU/1116 to the World Trade Organization (WTO), proposing a revision to the Glossary of Common Ingredient Names for Cosmetics and the repeal of Implementing Decision (EU) 2022/677. This draft Commission Decision aims at updating the glossary of common ingredient names for use in cosmetic products, to ensure uniform labelling and facilitate identification of cosmetic ingredients. It is expected to be adopted in the second quarter of 2025 and take effect 20 days after publication in the Official Journal of the EU. The proposal is currently open for comments, with a submission deadline of May 12, 2025.
On March 26, 2025, South Korea's Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) released three public consultation notices (Announcements No. 111, 112, and 113 of 2025), proposing the cancellation of regulations and provisions related to the certification of natural and organic cosmetics. The deadlines for public feedback are April 16, 2025, and May 7, 2025, respectively.
On February 21, 2025, South Korean MFDS issued Announcement No. 92 of 2025, proposing partial revision of the Regulations on the Designation and Change Review of Cosmetic Ingredient Usage Standards. On March 26, 2025, MFDS officially implemented the Regulations on the Lifting or Modification of Bans on Cosmetic Ingredients and the Designation or Change of Cosmetic Ingredient Standards, providing further guidance for companies submitting such applications.
On March 18, 2025, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) of the Philippines issued FDA Circular No.2025-002, announcing updates and amendments to the ASEAN Cosmetic Directive (ACD) as adopted during the 39th ASEAN Cosmetic Committee (ACC) Meeting and its related meetings. This Circular shall take effect 15 days after its publication. The updates and amendments include:
1. N,N-diethyl-m-toluamide/Diethyltoluamide (DEET) (Annex II – List of substances which must not form part of the composition of cosmetic products, Ref. No. A1144);
2. Amendment to Annex III – List of substances which cosmetic products must not contain except subject to restrictions and conditions laid down;
3. Acid Yellow 3 (Inclusion to Annex III – List of substances which cosmetic products must not contain except subject to restrictions and conditions laid down, Ref. No. 341 [326]);
4. ASEAN Criteria for CMR Substance 1A and 1B;
5. ACD Annexes Review and Rectification.
For a more detailed report, please see here.
On January 17, 2025, Health Canada announced the upcoming launch of its updated Cosmetic Notification System, which officially went live on March 6, 2025. The new system enables normal submission of cosmetic notifications and introduces several key enhancements:
Product: added new fields for directions of use and warning/cautionary statements, which must match the information on the product label. It is also required to specify whether the cosmetic is a leave-on or rinse-off product.
Notifier: users can select the preferred language of correspondence of the notifier, either French or English.
Manufacturing, importing, label and other contact: added new contact types (e.g., Formulator or Third party manufacturer) and an address verification feature. Manufacturers and importers are required to provide a Canadian address.
Product Ingredients: updated requirements for ingredient names, introduced a new "Find INCI Name" search function, and added a "Reset Concentration" button.
Additional documents and pictures:add "Label - Text" for a text only label, or "Label - Marketplace" for a label including graphics or printer proof.
For a more detailed guide, please see here.
On March 11, 2025, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) published a statement regarding its testing of 95 acne products containing benzoyl peroxide to evaluate potential benzene contamination. The results revealed that over 90% of the samples either showed no detectable benzene or had only trace amounts. Only a few products were flagged for recall from retail stores. For a more detailed report, please see here.
Note: This article is compiled by ZMUni Compliance Centre, drawing from the latest updates from official regulatory authorities in various countries and regions. For any questions regarding interpretations or expressions, please consult the official real-time announcements.
