This article compiles and summarizes the latest developments in cosmetics regulations in China and globally as of March 2025, covering industry news, newly issued regulations, relevant policy adjustments, and regulatory requirements. It aims to assist enterprises in ensuring compliance and keeping up with global cosmetics regulatory trends.
Chinese Cosmetics Regulatory Updates
National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) and National Health Commission (NHC) Issue the 2025 Edition of the Pharmacopoeia of the People's Republic of China (No. 29 of 2025)
On March 25, 2025, the 2025 Edition of the Pharmacopoeia of the People's Republic of China was reviewed and approved at the plenary session of the Executive Committee of the 12th Pharmacopoeia Commission. It will come into effect on October 1, 2025.
Details: https://www.nmpa.gov.cn/xxgk/fgwj/gzwj/gzwjyp/20250325183810122.html
The First Director Meeting of the Cosmetics Standardization Technical Committee of the NMPA in 2025 Held
On March 27, 2025, the first director meeting of the Cosmetics Standardization Technical Committee of the National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) for 2025 was held in Beijing. The meeting heard work reports from the committee secretariat and sub-technical committees, reviewed and approved work plans for the development of eight cosmetic standards (technical safety specifications) and two mandatory national standards, and listened to the proposed approach for incorporating new cosmetic ingredients – where the post-market monitoring period has ended – into the Inventory of Existing Cosmetic Ingredients in China (IECIC).
Details: https://www.nmpa.gov.cn/yaowen/ypjgyw/hyxx/hzhphyxx/20250327172150121.html
National Institutes for Food and Drug Control (NIFDC) Solicits Public Comments on the Draft Technical Guidelines for Updating Filing Information of New Cosmetic Ingredients
On March 27, 2025, the National Institutes for Food and Drug Control (NIFDC) released a draft of the Technical Guidelines for Updating Filing Information of New Cosmetic Ingredients for public consultation. This initiative aims to implement the Provisions on Supporting Innovation in Cosmetic Ingredients issued by the National Medical Products Administration (NMPA), and to guide filers in standardizing the process of updating filing information and conducting related research on new cosmetic ingredients. Public comments are invited until April 15, 2025.
Details: https://www.nifdc.org.cn//nifdc/bshff/hzhpjssp/hzpsptzgg/202503271158101497304.html
Shandong Medical Products Administration Issues Guidelines for the Preparation of the Full Version of the Safety Assessment Report for General Cosmetics
On March 19, 2025, in order to standardize the preparation of the full version of the safety assessment report for general cosmetics in Shandong Province, assist cosmetic registrants and notifiers in establishing enterprise-level safety assessment systems, and promote the implementation of the cosmetic safety assessment regime, the Shandong Medical Products Administration (MPA) formulated this guideline. It is intended to serve as a reference for registrants and notifiers when preparing the full version of the safety assessment report for general cosmetics, taking into account the practical regulatory needs of the province.
Details: http://mpa.shandong.gov.cn/art/2025/3/19/art_116205_10414099.html
Guangdong MPA Launches “Yue Anping”—an Auxiliary Tool for Generating Cosmetic Safety Assessment Reports
Starting March 24, 2025, the Guangdong Medical Products Administration (Guangdong MPA) has made the “Yue Anping” auxiliary tool for generating cosmetic safety assessment reports freely available to all cosmetic manufacturing enterprises within the province. By using the “Yue Anping” tool, manufacturers in Guangdong can log into their dedicated enterprise portal on the Guangdong MPA website and generate a complete, regulation-compliant sample safety assessment report in just three steps. The generated report can be downloaded and edited for reference and use by the enterprise.
Details: https://mpa.gd.gov.cn/xwdt/xwfbpt/mtzx/content/post_4685507.html
International Cosmetics Regulatory Updates
Europe
The EU Plans to Update the Glossary of Common Ingredient Names in Cosmetics to Standardize the Ingredients Labeling
On March 13, 2025, the European Union announced a cosmetic related notification (G/TBT/N/EU/1116), proposing to update the glossary of common ingredient names in cosmetics in the EU Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009, while abolishing the current Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2022/6772 to standardize ingredients labeling and improve ingredient identification. The draft is expected to be approved in the second quarter of 2025 and will officially come into effect 20 days after its publication in the Official Journal of the EU.
The Americas
Canada Updates the Guide for Cosmetic Notifications
On March 18, 2025, Health Canada issued an update to the Guide for Cosmetic Notification. The update mainly clarifies the address requirements in the notification details and reinforces the labeling requirements for fragrance allergens.
As of March 5, 2025, the form requires that a Canadian address for the manufacturer or the importer be provided in section 4. Furthermore, effective April 12, 2026, fragrance allergens must be disclosed on product labels and in the Cosmetic Notification Form if present at concentrations greater than 0.01% in rinse-off products or 0.001% in leave-on products.
Asia
Philippines Amends ASEAN Cosmetic Directive
On March 18, 2025, the FDA Philippines issued FDA Circular No. 2025-002, amending the ASEAN Cosmetic Directive (ACD). This circular will officially take effect 15 days after its publication.
The main content of updates and amendments to the ACD includes:
- N,N-diethyl-m-toluamide/Diethyltoluamide (DEET) has been added to Annex II (Annex II – List of substances which must not form part of the composition of cosmetic products, Ref. No. A1144) of the ACD , with no transition period granted;
- Amendment to the ACD Annex III-List of Restricted Cosmetic Ingredients and Conditions of Use: Restriction on the use of Zinc Pyrithione (ZPT); inclusion of Acid Yellow 3 in ACD Annex III with a maximum allowed concentration of 0.5% in non-oxidative hair dye products; inclusion of Salicylic Acid in ACD Annex III with a maximum allowed concentration of 0.5% in nail care products, along with a 24-month transition period;
- ASEAN Standards for the Use of CMR Category 1A and 1B Substances.
South Korea Revises Labeling Requirements for Outer Packaging of Cosmetics
On March 21, 2025, the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) of South Korea issued a notice revising labeling requirements under the Cosmetics Act.
Key points include:
- Introduction of mandatory labeling requirements for the outer packaging of cosmetics. The labeling must include product name, trade name of the company, address, ingredients, volume, weight, expiration date, price, and precautions, allowing consumers to view key product information without opening the packaging or container;
- For bundled cosmetic sets with multiple products, only the earliest expiration date may be displayed on the outer packaging; and
- For hair dyes, bleaching/decolorizing agents, and depilatories, where it is difficult to include all precautionary information on the packaging, supplementary leaflets may be provided to convey detailed precautions for each product.
South Korea Revises Enforcement Decree of the Cosmetics Act
On March 26, 2025, the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) of South Korea issued Announcement No. 2025-111 to amend the Enforcement Decree of the Cosmetics Act. The revised regulation will take effect on August 1, 2025.
Key points include:
- Deletion of provisions related to the operation of certification procedures and designation standards for natural and organic cosmetics certification bodies. Terms such as “functional cosmetics, natural cosmetics, or organic cosmetics” shall be revised to “functional cosmetics”;
- Removal of content related to natural and organic cosmetics from the compliance standards for cosmetic labeling and advertising.
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