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 September 2025, with an emphasis on updates in cosmetic ingredients and cosmetic management, among other areas.
In September 2025, 11 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:
Issue 20: Marine Actives, Peptides, and Plant Callus Extracts
Issue 19: Filaggrin, Bakuchiol, Gingerone A, Crocodile Oil, and Pleione Extract Notified
Issue 18: New Notifications Feature Ferment, Botanical, and Peptide
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🔘 China Seeks Input on Anti-Hair Loss Cosmetic Guidelines
On September 5, 2025, China's National Institutes for Food and Drug Control (NIFDC) issued a public consultation notice on two draft technical guidelines concerning the research and quality control of anti-hair loss 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. See previous news.
🔘 China Opens Consultation on Cosmetic Standards Including PFOS, D4, Dioxane, and BP-3, Aligning with International Regulations
On September 15,2025, China NIFDC released 18 draft cosmetic standards for public consultation. The public consultation period will remain open until October 9, 2025. The drafts include newly added prohibited ingredients, revised microbial limits for eye, lip, and children's cosmetics, and adjusted usage limits for certain permitted, restricted, and prohibited substances. See previous news.
🔘 China Advances Personalized Cosmetics Pilot, Ushering in New Market Opportunities
On September 17, 2025, China's National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) announced the rollout of the second phase of its personalized cosmetics pilot program. Starting October 1, designated enterprises in 15 regions will be allowed to provide on-site formulation services for already notified general cosmetics. The program will run for two years. See previous news.
🔘 China Proposes 24 Reform Measures to Boost Beauty Economy
On September 19, 2025, China NMPA released the Opinions on Deepening Cosmetics Regulatory Reform and Promoting High-Quality Development of the Industry (Draft for Public Comment). The Draft sets reform goals for 2030 and 2035 and outlines 24 reform measures across 5 key areas, including strengthening innovation support and improving registration and filing efficiency. The proposal has attracted significant attention from the cosmetics industry. See previous news.
🔘 China Proposes Major Changes to New Cosmetic Ingredient Registration and Notification
On September 24, 2025, China NIFDC issued the Technical Guidelines for Dossier Requirements on the Registration and Notification of New Cosmetic Ingredients (Draft for Comment) and opened them for public consultation. The Draft Guidelines introduce further improvements and clarifications in key areas, including the classification of application scenarios, dossier submission requirements, use of existing data, adoption of new technologies and methodologies, and recordkeeping obligations. One of the most noteworthy updates is the optimized classification of new cosmetic ingredient (NCI) application scenarios, which also allows for the streamlining or waiver of certain toxicological and human safety testing requirements. See previous news.
🔘 China Proposes Exemptions Toothpaste with Proven Safety History from Toxicology Testing
On September 26, 2025, China NMPA released a draft Announcement on Matters Concerning Toothpaste Notification Management for public consultation (Sept 26–Oct 26). Experts noted that toothpaste with an established history of production, sales, and use can provide safety evidence in place of toxicology test reports for notification.
Official link:
https://www.nmpa.gov.cn/xxgk/zhqyj/zhqyjhzhp/20250926104403173.html
🔘 List of Non-Compliant Imported Cosmetics for August 2025
On September 16, 2025, the General Administration of Customs (GACC) published the List of Non-Compliant Imported Cosmetics for August 2025. Five batches were rejected due to issues such as non-compliant labeling, discrepancies between cargo and certificates, and other regulatory non-conformities.
🔘 South Korea Revises Cosmetic Safety Standards, Affecting Multiple Ingredients
On September 2, 2025, South Korea's Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) announced amendments to the Regulation on Safety Standards, etc. for Cosmetics, revising one prohibited ingredient and one sunscreen, removing one restricted sunscreen, and adding five new restricted ingredients (including one sunscreen and four with other functional purposes). The revisions include updates for 2,6-Dihydroxyethylaminotoluene when used as a hair dye:
The content in mixtures prepared according to the intended use shall not exceed 1.0%;
Shall not be used together with nitrosating agents;
Total nitrosamine content shall not exceed 50 μg/kg.
These revisions will take effect on March 2, 2026.
Official link:
🔘 TGA Provides Update on Sunscreen SPF Testing and CHOICE Report
On September 16, 2025, the TGA issued an update on its investigation into the CHOICE sunscreen report. One product, Ultra Violette Lean Screen SPF50+, was recalled and cancelled from the ARTG after testing showed SPF 4. The TGA is reviewing other products with similar formulas and continues to analyze sponsor data to explain discrepancies with CHOICE results. It also noted variability in the ISO 24444:2019 in vivo SPF test method and is considering in vitro alternatives. Consumers are reminded that no sunscreen blocks 100% of UV rays and should be used alongside shade, protective clothing, hats, and sunglasses.
Official link:
https://www.tga.gov.au/news/news/sunscreen-spf-testing-information-consumers
🔘 US EPA Publishes Draft Risk Evaluation of D4 for Public Comment
On September 18, 2025, the US EPA notified the WTO (G/TBT/N/USA/1775/Add.1) that it has released a draft risk evaluation for Octamethylcyclotetrasiloxane (D4, CAS 556-67-2) under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) and opened it for public comment. The draft assessment examines D4’s potential risks across its full life-cycle conditions of use (COUs) and preliminarily identifies possible unreasonable risks to human health and/or the environment. Notably, D4 is already banned in cosmetics under the EU Cosmetics Regulation (Annex II), and recent drafts of China’s cosmetic standards propose listing D4 as a prohibited ingredient, signaling tightening global regulation. Stakeholders are invited to submit feedback to inform the final evaluation.
Official link:
https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2025-09-17/html/2025-17967.htm
🔘 US FDA Launches Real-Time Dashboard for Cosmetic Adverse Events
On September 27, 2025, the U.S. FDA launched a new public dashboard providing real-time access to adverse event reports related to cosmetic products. This initiative, mandated by the Modernization of Cosmetics Regulation Act of 2022 (MoCRA), aims to increase transparency, strengthen post-market surveillance, and help consumers, researchers, and industry better understand product safety trends.
Official link:
🔘 Washington State Restricts Formaldehyde in Cosmetics (Effective September 28, 2025)
Washington State's Department of Ecology adopted Chapter 173-339 WAC: Cosmetic Products Restrictions on August 28, 2025, prohibiting the manufacture, sale, and distribution of cosmetics containing intentionally added formaldehyde releasers. The rule lists 25 restricted substances, clarifies the definition of "intentionally added" under the Toxic-Free Cosmetics Act, and applies to manufacturers, distributors, retailers, and cosmetology businesses, covering both in-store and online sales. Key dates: rule effective September 28, 2025; restrictions enforceable January 1, 2027; sell-through for existing stock until December 31, 2027.
Official Source:
https://ecology.wa.gov/regulations-permits/laws-rules-rulemaking/rulemaking/wac-173-339
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.
