NEWS

This article compiles and summarizes the latest developments in cosmetics regulations as of January 2026, including domestic China industry news, newly issued regulations, updates to relevant standards and policies, and regulatory requirements, as well as global regulatory trends in the cosmetics sector. It aims to assist enterprises in ensuring compliance and keeping up with global cosmetics regulatory trends.

On 10 January 2026, the Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety (SCCS) of the European Union issued final opinion on hair dye Basic Brown 16 (C009) (CAS No. 26381-41-9) (SCCS/1684/25) and Basic blue 99 (C059) (CAS No. 68123-13-7)(SCCS/1683/25) . This final opinion aligns with the scientific opinion published on 17 November 2025.

On January 27, 2026, the Indonesian Food and Drug Authority (BPOM) published the draft list of pharmaceutical ingredients used in natural medicines, health supplements, quasi-drugs, and certain cosmetics to implement the regulation on risk assessment for the use of ingredients in these products. The public consultation period has ended as of February 10, 2026.

Based on data retrieved from China’s National Medical Products Administration (NMPA), seven new cosmetic ingredients have been filed between February 1 and February 5, 2026. Detailed information is provided in the table below. At present, the associated technical specifications have not been made public, and the ingredient has not yet entered the post-filing monitoring period. As of now in 2026, a total of 26 new cosmetic ingredients have been filed.

On February 2, 2026, Environment and Climate Change Canada announced that Estée Lauder Cosmetics Ltd. was fined CAD 750,000 for using banned “forever chemicals” (PFAS) in its eyeliner products and for failing to notify the government before undertaking related activities, in violation of the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999 (CEPA). CIRS recommends that companies proactively respond to these regulatory trends by implementing robust PFAS risk management strategies.

On February 6, 2026, China’s National Institutes for Food and Drug Control (NIFDC) released six draft standards for the formulation and revision of microbiological examination methods in cosmetics. Public comments are now being solicited, with the deadline set for March 22, 2026.

To help stakeholders stay informed of the latest developments and gain insights into market trends, this article provides a systematic review and in-depth analysis of the cosmetic ingredient filings published by China’s National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) in January 2026. The report mainly covers the number of new ingredient filings during the month, basic information about the filing enterprises, the regional distribution of domestic filers, ingredients that have been filed multiple times, and interpretations of selected ingredients. It aims to offer valuable data support and information references for the cosmetics industry.

On February 3, Malaysia Medical Device Authority (MDA) announced that effective 1 March 2026, following certificates will be issued electronically: Certificate of Free Sale (CFS); Manufacturing Certificate; and Export Certificate. For application approved prior to 1 March 2026, the physical certificate will continue to be issued.

Based on data retrieved from China’s National Medical Products Administration (NMPA), seven new cosmetic ingredients have been filed between January 26 and January 29, 2025. At present, the associated technical specifications have not been made public, and the ingredient has not yet entered the post-filing monitoring period.

On February 2, 2026, the Taiwan Food and Drug Administration (TFDA), under the Ministry of Health and Welfare, announced a revision to the annex of the Documentation Required for Case-by-Case Review of Applications for the Use of Human Cell-Derived Exosomes in Cosmetics. The revised annex takes effect immediately upon the date of announcement.