Review: 2026 Effective and Implemented Cosmetic Regulations

Since 2026, a number of cosmetic-related regulations have taken effect or are coming into force worldwide. To help companies systematically track regulatory changes and assess compliance risks in advance, CIRS Group has categorized, by country/region, the cosmetic regulations that have already taken effect or been implemented in major global markets as of July 31, 2026 (inclusive), for your reference!

China (Mainland)

• Full market exit of five formerly special-purpose cosmetic categories: From January 1, 2026, five formerly special-purpose cosmetic categories — hair growth, hair removal, breast beauty, body fitness, and deodorizing — may no longer be manufactured, imported, or sold.
• Dynamic adjustment of the IECIC in operation: In H1 2026, the NMPA completed the third (January 4) and fourth (April 13) dynamic adjustments to the Inventory of Existing Cosmetic Ingredients (IECIC); ingredients such as black ginseng extract, zinc hyaluronate hydrolysate, and galactomannan were included under existing-ingredient management, and snow lotus callus powder was added to Category II of the Inventory.
• Cosmetic e-labeling pilot launched: From February 1, 2026, a three-year pilot for Chinese cosmetic labels via electronic labeling began in six provinces/municipalities (Beijing, Shanghai, Zhejiang, Shandong, Guangdong, and Chongqing); the e-labeling functions of the cosmetic registration and filing information service platform were launched in parallel.
• Measures for the Supervision and Administration of Live-streaming E-commerce implemented: From February 1, 2026, the Measures issued by the State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR) officially took effect, setting out normative requirements for live-streaming e-commerce activities.
• 12 testing/trial methods incorporated into the Safety and Technical Standards: From March 1, 2026, the Safety and Technical Standards for Cosmetics (2015 Edition) added 5 toothpaste and in vitro skin-sensitization methods (e.g., Test Method for Hard Particles in Toothpaste), revised 2 methods (e.g., Test Method for 43 Elements Including Lithium in Cosmetics), and added 5 trial methods (e.g., Bovine Corneal Opacity and Permeability Test Method).
• Technical Guidelines for the Use of Cosmetic Ingredients for Intended Purposes (Trial) implemented: From June 19, 2026, these Guidelines took effect, providing technical reference for registrants and notifiers to standardize the declaration of ingredient use purposes during cosmetic and new cosmetic ingredient registration/filing.
• Multiple test methods of the Safety and Technical Standards implemented: From July 1, 2026, newly added test methods — Skin Sensitization: Local Lymph Node Assay — BrdU-FCM, and Toxicokinetics Test Method — and revised methods — Human Skin Patch Test Method and Human Safety-in-use Test Method — took effect.
• Provisions on the Administration of Registration and Filing Data for New Cosmetic Ingredients implemented: From July 15, 2026, the Provisions issued by the NMPA took effect; the original Announcement No. 31 of 2021 was simultaneously repealed.

Taiwan, China

• Review documents updated for human-cell-derived exosomes in cosmetics: From February 2, 2026, Taiwan's FDA (TFDA) revised the schedule of documents for case-by-case review of human-cell-derived exosomes used in cosmetics, adjusting the acute-toxicity-test documentary requirement in safety testing to “case-by-case.”
• Full implementation of the third phase of cosmetic GMP: From July 1, 2026, except for solid handmade soap produced at cosmetic manufacturing sites exempt from factory registration, all cosmetics must comply with Product Information File (PIF) and GMP requirements.
• Revised Cosmetic Administrative Fee Schedule takes effect: From July 1, 2026, the revised fee schedule took effect, removing fee items such as inspection/registration of specific-purpose cosmetics and amending fees for cosmetic product notification.
• Revised Table of Cosmetic Scope and Categories takes effect: From July 1, 2026, “teeth-whitening product category” was renamed “teeth-whitening agent category,” the scope of “teeth-whitening toothpaste” was deleted, and “non-medical toothpaste” was revised to “non-medical toothpaste and tooth powder.”

Europe

• France bans PFAS-containing cosmetics: From January 1, 2026, France comprehensively prohibited the manufacture, import, export, and sale of cosmetics containing PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances).
• UK restricts Benzophenone-3: From January 21, 2026, the UK restricted Benzophenone-3 in cosmetics; products placed on the market before January 21 may continue to be sold until July 21, 2026 (the transition period has now ended).
• EU tightens CMR substance controls ((EU) 2026/78): Regulation (EU) 2026/78, published January 13, 2026, adjusted the requirements for CMR (carcinogenic, mutagenic, reproductive-toxic) substances in cosmetics, affecting Annexes II, III, IV, and V of Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009, applicable in EU member states from May 1, 2026.
• Cosmetics containing 4-MBC banned from the EU market: From May 1, 2026, cosmetics containing 4-MBC (4-methylbenzylidene camphor) may no longer be sold on the EU market.
• EU adjusts use requirements for 12 ingredients ((EU) 2026/909): Regulation (EU) 2026/909, published April 28, 2026, revised the use specifications for 12 ingredients including benzyl salicylate, triphenyl phosphate, HC Yellow No. 16, and DHHB, updating Annexes II, III, V, and VI; it entered into force on May 18, 2026, with a transition period.
• Separate-labeling requirement for 57 fragrance allergens takes effect: From July 31, 2026, cosmetics containing any of the 57 newly added fragrance allergens requiring separate labeling, but not meeting the labeling requirements, may not be placed on the EU market (from July 31, 2028, they may no longer be sold on the EU market).
• Warning-label requirement for formaldehyde releasers takes effect: From July 31, 2026, for certain formaldehyde releasers among permitted preservatives, products with a total formaldehyde concentration exceeding 0.001% (10 ppm) must bear the warning “releases formaldehyde” on the packaging.

Americas

• Multiple US states ban PFAS-containing cosmetics: From January 1, 2026, Maine prohibited the sale of cosmetics with intentionally added PFAS; Washington prohibited cosmetics containing PFAS and seven other banned ingredients/categories; Vermont prohibited the manufacture, sale, or distribution of cosmetics with intentionally added PFAS. From the same date, Minnesota entered the second phase of its PFAS ban, requiring manufacturers to comprehensively disclose PFAS use.
• Canada implements first-phase fragrance-allergen disclosure: From April 12, 2026, Canada implemented the first phase of its cosmetic fragrance-allergen disclosure requirement; cosmetics containing any of 24 fragrance allergens must be listed separately in the Cosmetic Notification Form (CNF) per concentration requirements, with a 12-month grace period for products already on the market.
• Brazil updates prohibited and restricted ingredient lists: From June 15, 2026, ANVISA's Resolutions RDC 1029/2026 and RDC 1030/2026 took effect, updating the restricted and prohibited ingredient lists for personal hygiene products, cosmetics, and perfumery, respectively, incorporating the latest MERCOSUR revisions.
• US Connecticut controls PFAS-containing cosmetics: From July 1, 2026, manufacturers may not manufacture, sell, or distribute cosmetics with intentionally added PFAS unless they label the product and provide prior written notice to the state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection.

Australia & New Zealand

• New Zealand's new rules on cosmetic import and manufacture take effect: From January 1, 2026, the New Zealand EPA's latest regulations on cosmetic import and manufacture officially took effect; cosmetics containing hazardous ingredients must meet the latest requirements (some amended provisions take effect later).

Japan & South Korea

• South Korea revises the Enforcement Decree of the Cosmetics Act: From March 10, 2026, Presidential Decree No. 36176 revising the Enforcement Decree of the Cosmetics Act took effect, adding provisions on “Cosmetics Day” activities; the overseas direct-purchase oversight clause (Article 13(2)) took effect from April 2, 2026.
• South Korea revises the Regulations on Cosmetic Safety Standards, etc.: From March 18, 2026, the MFDS's revision took effect, mainly reorganizing the hair-dye ingredient list, adding 1 UV filter, and updating multiple test methods.
• South Korea tightens oversight of overseas direct-purchase cosmetics: From April 2, 2026, the revised Cosmetics Act and Enforcement Rule of the Cosmetics Act took effect, clarifying the definition of overseas direct-purchase cosmetics and strengthening quality controls.
• South Korea temporarily permits sticker labeling for cosmetics: From April 5, 2026, to address packaging-material shortages, South Korea temporarily allowed adhesive/sticker labels for alternative packaging of food, cosmetics, etc., for a 6-month period.
• South Korea regulates AI virtual-human advertising: From June 1, 2026, the Korea Fair Trade Commission revised the Guidelines on Review of Labeling and Advertising Relating to Recommendations and Guarantees, adding labeling requirements for AI virtual-human advertising.

ASEAN

• Indonesia implements mandatory SKI Border testing: From January 8, 2026, Indonesia implemented mandatory testing requirements for cosmetic import licenses (SKI Border).
• Malaysia launches electronic certification documents: From March 1, 2026, Malaysia launched electronic versions of the Certificate of Free Sale (CFS), Manufacturing Certificate, and Export Certificate.
• Thailand regulates piperonal use: From May 21, 2026, Thailand's Ministry of Public Health placed piperonal under restricted-substance management for cosmetics, with a maximum limit of 1% in finished products.
• Thailand issues microneedle-patch labeling requirements: From May 21, 2026, the Ministry of Public Health imposed a general prohibition on the manufacture, import, and sale of dissolving microneedle patches, while setting limited exemption conditions and labeling requirements for compliant products, formally establishing a regulatory framework for microneedle cosmetics.
• Thailand updates the cosmetic ingredient list: From June 13, 2026, Thailand's revisions to the list of prohibited cosmetic ingredients took effect, adding 24 prohibited substances and revising requirements for 3 existing ingredients.
• ASEAN Cosmetic Directive (ACD) annexes updated: On June 30, 2026, the ACD annexes were updated, with additions, revisions, and deletions to prohibited substances, restricted substances, permitted colorants, and preservatives.
• Vietnam's Decree on Cosmetic Management takes effect: From July 1, 2026, Vietnam's Decree on Cosmetic Management officially took effect, comprising 10 chapters covering scope, definitions, cosmetic safety requirements, classification and grouping, and product notification.

Note: This article compiles major cosmetic regulatory developments in key global countries/regions during 2026 to help companies keep abreast of global regulatory trends. Content is organized by each regulation's effective/implementation date; items effective on or before July 31, 2026 (inclusive) are classified as “implemented,” while items still at the consultation/draft stage are excluded. For specific implementation requirements, refer to the latest official texts published by each regulatory authority.

CIRS Reminder

To date, multiple cosmetic regulations have taken effect worldwide since the start of 2026 — from adjustments to prohibited/restricted ingredients and new rules on labeling and efficacy claims, to the expansion of testing methods and tighter controls on PFAS and other substances — involving numerous milestones and a wide impact that require companies' close attention. Cosmetic companies are advised to continuously monitor global cosmetic regulations, standards, and industry developments, keep pace with global regulatory trends, strengthen end-to-end compliance management, proactively assess compliance risks from domestic and international policy changes, and reasonably plan product R&D, formulation strategy, and market entry to navigate the new regulatory landscape.

If you need any assistance or have any questions, please get in touch with us via service@cirs-group.com.

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