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 in China and globally in July 2025.
On July 11, 2025, China's National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) released the List of Registered and Notified New Cosmetic Ingredients. As of the end of June 2025, a total of 272 new cosmetic ingredients had been registered or notified in China, reflecting steady growth driven by ongoing regulatory reforms.
In July 2025, 14 new cosmetic ingredients were notified with the China National Medical Products Administration (NMPA). They include:
Before this recap, ZMUni has continued to release passages introducing the NCI updates, along with their approval status and market applications. For more detailed information, check the following episodes:
l Issue15: Continued Interest in Biotech and Botanical Ingredients
l Issue 14: Peptides Continue to Gain Attention
l Issue 13: Clean Beauty Brand Notifying Plant Extract
l ......
China Seeks Public Comments on Three Draft Cosmetic Testing Standards
On July 3, 2025, in an effort to further improve technical standards for cosmetics, the National Institutes for Food and Drug Control (NIFDC) of China issued a notice to solicit public comments on three draft cosmetic standards, including Cosmetic Safety In-use Test (Draft for Comments), Human Skin Patch Test (Draft for Comments), and Cosmetic Safety In-use Test (Draft for Comments). Relevant feedback is welcomed until July 21, 2025.
China Unveils Regulatory and Development Status of Children's Cosmetics in China
On July 24, 2025, China's National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) issued an official notice announcing that the children's cosmetics sector in China has entered a rapid development phase. According to the notice, as of the end of June 2025, China has recorded 28,168 notifications for children's general cosmetics (27,219 domestic and 949 imported products), alongside 427 registrations for children's special cosmetics (406 domestic and 21 imported products). For more insights, please refer to our previous post.
China Announces Hainan Customs Closure, Marking a New Era for Global Brands
On July 23, 2025, China announced that the full customs closure of the Hainan Free Trade Port will take effect on December 18, 2025. This marks a key step in China's reform agenda, establishing Hainan as a customs-supervised free trade zone with zero tariffs, simplified import procedures, and global-standard investment rules. For international brands in cosmetics, personal care, food, and other FMCG sectors, Hainan is becoming a strategic gateway into China, offering preferential tax policies, supply chain flexibility, and streamlined regulatory access. See previous post.
China Consults on Draft Testing Methods for Over 100 Prohibited Ingredients in Cosmetics
On July 30, 2025, China NIFDC released three draft testing methods, aimed at detecting prohibited ingredients in cosmetics, including substances such as diethylene glycol, dyclonine hydrochloride, and 16α-hydroxyprednisolone. The comment period is open until August 20, 2025. See previous post.
China Unveils 2025 Cosmetics Standards Plan
On July 30, 2025, China National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) released the Notice on the 2025 Cosmetics Standard Project Plan, which announced 34 cosmetics standard formulation and revision projects proposed by NMPA's Cosmetics Standardization Technical Committee. The notice is open for public comment for 7 days from the date of publication. See previous post.
China Opens Public Consultation on Six Technical Guidelines for Hair Dye, Perm, and Sunscreen Cosmetics
On July 31, 2025, China NIFDC issued a public consultation notice on six draft technical guidelines concerning the research and quality control of hair dye, perm, and sunscreen cosmetics. These guidelines aim to provide clearer technical direction for product development, safety assessment, and quality standards for high-risk cosmetic categories—commonly referred to as special cosmetics under China's regulatory framework. The consultation is open for public feedback until August 15, 2025. See previous post.
On July 23, 2025, the Beijing Medical Products Administration issued "FAQs on the Notification of General Cosmetics" (Vol. 47), supporting general cosmetic notifiers in Beijing in improving the quality of their notification documents during the post- “full safety assessment” phase.
On July 17, 2025, the General Administration of Customs (GACC) published the List of Non-Compliant Imported Cosmetics for June 2025. A total of 7 batches of cosmetics were denied entry at border checkpoints. Among the rejected products:
3 batches failed to provide required documents and certificates,
2 batch was found to be past its expiration date,
2 batch was found with non-compliant labeling.
On June 6, 2025, the European Union's Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety (SCCS) released a Scientific Opinion on Hydroxyapatite (nano) - Submission IV.
EU Updates Glossary of Common Ingredient Names, Implementing from 2026
On July 10, 2025, the European Commission published Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2025/1175, updating the Glossary of Common Ingredient Names for cosmetics. The revised glossary covers a total of 30,419 entries. At the same time, the new decision repeals the currently applicable Implementing Decision (EU) 2022/677.
To ensure consistency in cosmetic labeling and improve the accuracy of ingredient identification, the decision will take effect on July 30, 2025, and will be officially implemented starting July 30, 2026. During the transition period, companies may voluntarily adopt the updated terminology list for label revisions in advance.
EU Unveils Proposal for Cosmetics Regulation Revision
On July 16, 2025, EU notified WTO of a draft regulation (G/TBT/N/EU/1148) aimed at simplifying and streamlining certain requirements under selected chemical product regulations. These include the CLP (Classification, Labelling and Packaging) Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008, the Fertilising Products Regulation (EU) 2019/1009, and the Cosmetic Products Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009.
The proposed revisions to the Cosmetics Regulation focus on enhancing the listing procedure for permitted cosmetic substances and refining regulatory requirements for nanomaterials, CMR substances, and other high-risk ingredients.
Public comments are open until October 14, 2025, with adoption expected in the second half of 2026.
UK Revises Requirements for Benzophenone-3 in Cosmetics
On July 21, 2025, the UK officially adopted the Cosmetic Products (Restriction of Chemical Substances) (No. 2) Regulations 2025, revising the requirements for the use of the sunscreen agent Benzophenone-3 (CAS No. 131-57-7) in cosmetic products. The regulation will take effect on January 21, 2026. The UK had previously notified the draft regulation to the WTO in May 2025.
Vietnam Revises Cosmetic Management Regulations
On July 3, 2025, Vietnam's Ministry of Health issued Circular No. 34/2025/TT-BYT, revising cosmetic regulations effective August 18, 2025. Key changes include:
A single declaration form is allowed per product. Electronic files are required for online submissions; paper copies are required for in-person or postal submissions.
Products sold under the same name can be declared together. However, those with variations in color or fragrance must be declared separately.
Ingredients must be listed in descending order by concentration using INCI names from the latest International Cosmetic Ingredient Dictionary. Botanical ingredients must include scientific genus and species names; animal-derived ingredients must include the exact species. Forms must be in Vietnamese or English.
Malaysia Releases 2024 Surveillance and Complaints Section Highlights
On July 9, 2025, Malaysia's National Pharmaceutical Regulatory Agency (NPRA) published the Surveillance and Complaints Section Highlights of 2024, detailing key data and regulatory actions over the past year in pharmaceuticals and cosmetics. The report revealed an 80% non-compliance rate for labeling and frequent issues with prohibited ingredients in cosmetics.
Malaysia Amends Cosmetic Ingredient Use Requirements: 1 New Addition and 2 Revisions
On July 14, 2025, Malaysia NPRA issued Notice Bil (18) dlm.NPRA/PPPK/01/04, updating the Guidelines for Control of Cosmetic Products in Malaysia, effective immediately. Key updates:
Annex II (Prohibited Substances) now includes: 2-Ethylhexanoic Acid and Trimethylolpropane Triacrylate.
Annex III (Restricted Substances) adds specific usage requirements for 2-Hydroxybenzoic Acid (Salicylic Acid).
Australia Seeks Public Comments on Proposed Amendments to Scheduling of Three Sunscreen Agents
On July 8, 2025, the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) of Australia launched a public consultation on proposed amendments to the Poisons Standard regarding the classification and use restrictions of three sunscreen-related substances: Homosalate, Oxybenzone, and Benzophenone. Feedback can be submitted via the TGA consultation platform (https://consultations.tga.gov.au/) by August 12, 2025.
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.
