This article focuses on summarizing the regulatory developments related to cosmetics within China and internationally in October 2024, with an emphasis on updates in China on new cosmetic ingredient notifications, cosmetic administrative penalties, official FAQs, and so on.
China Cosmetic Regulatory Updates
| New Cosmetics Ingredients (NCI) Notification
In October 2024, 3 new cosmetic ingredients were filed with the China National Medical Products Administration (NMPA). They include:
|
Ingredient Name in CN & EN |
Notification No. |
Notifier in CN |
|
小叶桢楠（PHOEBE HUI）茎/根油 |
20240071 |
金丝楠化妆品有限公司 |
|
五肽-48 Pentapeptide-48 |
20240072 |
诺斯贝尔化妆品股份有限公司 |
|
金耳（Tremella aurantialba）子实体提取物 |
20240073 |
上海家化联合股份有限公司 |
The technical requirements for the 3 new cosmetic ingredients mentioned above have not been disclosed, and they have not yet entered the monitoring period.
From January to October 2024, a total of 73 NCI were successfully notified, already surpassing last year's total of 69.
| Regulation Updates
On October 30, 2024, China National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) announced amendments to the Safety and Technical Standards for Cosmetics (2015 Edition) (STSC), introducing 3 new testing methods and revising 2 existing testing methods. These updated methods, effective from July 1, 2025, will apply to cosmetic registration, notification, and sampling tests. Read the full content.
On October 19, 2023, the China National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) solicited opinions on Administrative Measures on Cosmetics Inspection (hereinafter referred to as the "Measures"). On April 29, 2024, NMPA released the finalized Measures and implemented it on November 1, 2024.
The Measures represents the first systematic framework by NMPA aimed at comprehensively standardizing cosmetics inspections since the implementation of the Cosmetic Supervision and Administration Regulation (CSAR). With 8 chapters and 47 articles, the Measures systematically clarifies the requirements for inspection categories, inspection procedures, the link between inspection and audit, and result handling. It aims to address the main problems currently faced in cosmetics inspection work.
| Official FAQs
On October 16, 2024, the Beijing Medical Products Administration issued "FAQs on the Registration of General Cosmetics" (Vol. 37), offering an advanced guide to the complete cosmetic safety assessment report. It provides specific requirements for safety assessments, including considerations for new cosmetic ingredients still under safety monitoring, safety assessment guidelines for nanomaterials, and the types of evidence and assessment methods required for plant extract ingredients. Read the full content.
On October 21, 2024, the Guangzhou Medical Products Administration issued the 67th "FAQs on the Registration of General Cosmetics", addressing questions related to preservative challenge testing and evaluation in cosmetics. Topics include why the Technical Guidelines for Preservative Challenge Testing and Assessment of Cosmetics recommend using CMCC strains and whether cosmetic registrants and notifiers may choose alternative methods for preservative challenge testing.
On October 30, 2024, the Beijing Medical Products Administration released "FAQs on the Registration of General Cosmetics" (Vol. 38, Special Edition on Safety Assessment), offering guidance on the priority order of the seven main types of ingredient data in the Guidelines for Use of Cosmetic Ingredient Data, exemptions from systemic toxicity testing for plant extracts, and compatibility assessments between cosmetics and packaging.
| Administrative Penalty
On October 25, 2024, the General Administration of Customs published a list of non-compliant imported cosmetics from September 2024, which included 18 batches from countries such as Thailand, Indonesia, Pakistan, Israel, the UK, Italy, France, and the US. Twelve batches were rejected for lacking required certificates or qualification documents, including items like toothpaste, perfumes, and lipsticks. The remaining six batches failed due to non-compliant labeling, the presence of triclosan not meeting national standards, and discrepancies between documentation and products.
International Cosmetic Regulatory Updates
| Europe
On October 3, 2024, the UK submitted notification G/TBT/N/GBR/81/Add.1 to the World Trade Organization, proposing amendments to Regulation No. 1223/2009 (UK Cosmetics Regulation) for England, Wales, and Scotland. This addendum includes a prohibition on 13 additional Carcinogenic, Mutagenic, or Reprotoxic (CMR) substances in cosmetics. The draft is open for public comment until December 1, 2024. Earlier, on April 10, 2024, the UK listed 52 banned CMR substances and set a maximum concentration of 1% for kojic acid in facial and hand products.
On 24 October 2024, the Scientific Advisory Group on Chemical Safety in Consumer Products (SAG-CS) of UK published its final opinions on Dihydroxyacetone, Benzophenone-3, and Octocrylene, specifying concentration limits for each ingredient in cosmetics. These opinions pertain solely to cosmetics intended for adult use, as there is currently insufficient data for children and adolescents. Risk assessments for these age groups will be conducted once adequate data becomes available.
On October 25, 2024, the European Union's Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety (SCCS) released five Final Opinions, details are as follows:
Fragrance
Hair dyes
Scientific Advice on HC Yellow No. 16 (Colipa No. B123) (CAS No. 1184721-10-5) - Submission II
Nanomaterial in cosmetic ingredients
New coating for Titanium Dioxide (nano form)
Preservatives
On October 30, the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) announced that harmful and prohibited chemicals were found in hundreds of cosmetics sold in Europe, raising concerns about consumer safety. According to ECHA's report, 285 products, approximately 6% of the total, contained multiple banned hazardous substances. These chemicals were identified in everyday makeup and personal care items, such as eyeliners, lip liners, conditioners, and hair masks. For more information, read the official report.
| Asia
On October 17, 2024, Indonesia released and implemented Government Regulation (GR) No. 42 of 2024 Regarding the Implementation of Halal Product Assurance. On October 18, 2024, following the release of Government Regulation (GR) No. 42 of 2024, Indonesia's BPJPH announced the official enforcement of the first phase of mandatory halal certification. This requirement applies to all food and beverage products entering, circulating, or being traded within the Indonesian territory. For imported food products, the enforcement of mandatory halal certification has been postponed until 2026. Mandatory halal certification for cosmetics is set to begin on October 18, 2026.
On October 1, 2024, Thailand's Ministry of Industry approved eight new voluntary standards from the Thai Industrial Standards Institute (TIS) for cosmetics, focusing on critical aspects such as microbiological testing, analytical methods, sun protection evaluation, and natural and organic ingredients. These standards came into effect on October 2, 2024. The full text of the standards has not yet been published, and enterprises seeking detailed information are encouraged to consult the TISI directly. For more details, read the official announcement.
*This article is compiled by ZMUni Compliance Center, based on the latest regulatory updates from food-related regulatory authorities/agencies in various countries/regions.
