This article compiles data on cosmetic sampling inspections conducted within China and updates related information for March 2025.
Cosmetic Sampling Inspection Data
In March 2025, China's National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) announced that during the 2024 national cosmetic sampling inspection, 47 batches of cosmetics were found to be non-compliant after testing. Additionally, the Guangdong, Jiangxi, Fujian, Hunan and Shanxi Provincial Medical Products Administration conducted cosmetic sampling inspections, identifying 12, 16, 1, 1, and 14 batches of non-compliant cosmetics, respectively.
1. National Medical Products Administration Announcement on 47 Non-Compliant Batches of Cosmetics (2025 No. 10)
In the 2024 national cosmetic sampling inspection organized by the National Medical Products Administration (NMPA), 47 batches of cosmetics were found to be non-compliant with regulations, as tested by institutions including the Jiangsu Institute for Food and Drug Control. The non-compliant products included hair dyes, hair coloring creams, sunscreen isolation creams and so on. The NMPA has instructed the Medical Products Administrations of Shanghai, Jiangsu, and Guangdong to initiate investigations in accordance with the law against the responsible registrants, filers, and entrusted manufacturing enterprises involved in the non-compliant products. The relevant enterprises are also required to promptly implement risk control measures in accordance with the law and conduct self-inspection and rectification.
https://www.nmpa.gov.cn/xxgk/ggtg/hzhpggtg/hzhpchjgg/hzhpcjgjj/20250320163613152.html
2. Guangdong Provincial Medical Products Administration Announcement on Cosmetic Sampling Inspection Information (2024, Issue No. 7)
The Guangdong Provincial Medical Products Administration organized cosmetic sampling inspections across the province’s cosmetic production and distribution sectors. A total of 12 batches of cosmetics were found to be non-compliant with regulations. The non-compliant products included bubble hair dyes, face creams, blushers, etc. The non-compliant items included: "Hydroquinone: 42 μg/g (limit: prohibited)", "Pigment Red 53:1 (Brilliant Red) detected, limit: prohibited", and "Sunscreen agents not detected as indicated in the product label and technical requirements in registration documents".
For the non-compliant cosmetics identified through sampling inspection, the Guangdong Medical Products Administration has required the relevant enterprises and entities to implement risk control measures such as suspension of sales and product recall. Investigations into the causes of non-compliance have been initiated, and corrective actions are being undertaken accordingly.
https://mpa.gd.gov.cn/zwgk/jgsz/jcj/cjxx/hzp/content/post_4680993.html
3. Jiangxi Medical Products Administration Announcement on Cosmetic Supervision and Sampling Inspection Information (2025, Issue No. 1)
The Jiangxi Medical Products Administration has continued to carry out supervisory sampling inspections of cosmetics across the production and distribution sectors in the province. In this issue, 16 batches of non-compliant cosmetics have been confirmed, all of which are hair dye creams.
https://mpa.jiangxi.gov.cn/jxsypjdglj/col/col45622/content/content_1896377171315720192.html
4. Fujian Province Cosmetic Supervision and Sampling Inspection Results (2025, Issue No. 1)
The Fujian Medical Products Administration has organized a province-wide supervision and sampling inspection of cosmetics. One batch of shampoo was found to be non-compliant due to excessive levels of triclosan. The relevant medical products regulatory authorities have taken enforcement actions in accordance with the law against the non-compliant cosmetic product and the responsible entity.
https://yjj.scjgj.fujian.gov.cn/zwgk/gstg/jdcy/hzpcyxx/202503/t20250331_6789494.htm
5. Hunan Medical Products Administration Announcement on One Batch of Non-compliant Cosmetic Product (2025 No. 3)
The Hunan Medical Products Administration organized sampling inspections of cosmetics manufactured and distributed within the province. One batch of acne treatment gel was found to be non-compliant due to excessive salicylic acid content. The Administration has filed a case and taken enforcement actions in accordance with the law against the responsible notifier/manufacturer involved. They have been ordered to immediately implement risk control measures in accordance with regulations and to carry out self-inspection and rectification.
6. Shanxi Province Cosmetic Quality Announcement (2025, Issue No. 1, Total Issue No. 7)
The Shanxi Medical Products Administration organized a province-wide supervision and sampling inspection of cosmetics. A total of 14 batches of cosmetic products were found to be non-compliant. The non-compliant products included bubble hair dyes, body washes, shampoos, and others. The non-compliance items involved issues such as labeling non-conformity, excessive levels of methylchloroisothiazolinone, and excessive levels of p-phenylenediamine. In response to the non-compliant cosmetics identified during the supervision and sampling inspection, the Shanxi Medical Products Administration has instructed the relevant local medical products regulatory authorities to take enforcement actions against the responsible manufacturers and distributors in accordance with the law.
https://mpa.shaanxi.gov.cn/jgxx/rcjgxx/202503/t20250313_3461516.html
Information Sharing
1. On March 6, 2025, the Jiangsu Medical Products Administration held the 2025 Provincial Cosmetics Regulatory Work Conference to review the cosmetics regulatory efforts of 2024 and to outline key priorities for 2025. The meeting set forth six major tasks for cosmetics regulation in Jiangsu Province for the year:
- Continuously strengthening integrity and anti-corruption measures in cosmetics regulation;
- Further improving the quality and efficiency of cosmetics product notification (filing);
- Enhancing supervision of cosmetics manufacturing quality;
- Strengthening risk control measures in cosmetics business operations;
- Advancing the monitoring and evaluation of adverse cosmetic reactions;
- Fostering a sound and trustworthy environment for cosmetic use through joint efforts.
2. On March 20, 2025, the Shanghai Medical Products Administration (MPMA) issued the 2025 Administrative Inspection Plan for Cosmetic Quality and Safety. The inspections will primarily be conducted through on-site evaluations, supplemented by document reviews and remote inspections. Based on risk classification, the plan adopts a tiered and categorized regulatory approach targeting cosmetic manufacturers, distributors, e-commerce platforms, and cosmetic registrants and notifiers.
3. In March 2025, the Shulan City Administration for Market Regulation in Jilin Province carried out a special supervision and inspection campaign focused on cosmetic quality and safety. The inspection primarily targeted cosmetic business entities across the city, including specialty cosmetic stores, beauty and hair salons, maternal and infant product shops, and supermarkets. Key product categories under inspection included cleansing and care products, whitening and skincare products, and hair dyes.
The inspection focused on several aspects, including:
- Whether business licenses and permits were complete and valid;
- Whether operations exceeded the approved business scope;
- Whether cosmetic product labels and identification were compliant and complete;
- Whether products were within their shelf life or within the period of use after opening;
- Whether in-store advertisements were false, exaggerated, or misleading to consumers;
- Whether non-compliant cosmetics previously reported were being sold;
- Whether imported cosmetics had proper documentation and Chinese labeling.
As of now, 25 cosmetic business and use entities have been inspected. For issues identified during the inspections, the authorities have ordered the relevant enterprises to complete rectifications within a specified timeframe.
About CIRS
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Cosmetic services in China:
- China Cosmetic Registration and Filing;
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- China Cosmetic Ingredient Quality and Safety Information Code Application (NMPA Code);
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- China Cosmetic Safety Assessment Report;
- China Toothpaste Filing;
- China Disinfectant Notification; and
- China Cosmetic Formula/Label/Claim Review
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