This article compiles data on cosmetic sampling inspections conducted within China and updates related information for April 2025.
Cosmetic Sampling Inspection Data
In April 2025, the National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) announced that, during the 2024 national sampling inspection of cosmetics, 58 batches of cosmetics were found to be non-compliant according to inspections; 28 batches were found to contain prohibited ingredients. Additionally, the Anhui Medical Products Administration carried out a provincial-level supervision and sampling inspection of cosmetics, and 2 batches were found to be non-compliant.
1. National Medical Products Administration Announcement on 28 Non-Compliant Batches of Cosmetics (2025 No.12)
During the 2024 national sampling inspection of cosmetics, 28 batches of cosmetics-including shampoos, body washes, and facial masks were found to be non-compliant according to inspections conducted by the Qinghai Institute for Drug Control and other institutions. The non-compliant items included total bacterial count, total mold and yeast count, and the mixture of methylchloroisothiazolinone and methylisothiazolinone with magnesium chloride and magnesium nitrate (in a ratio of 3:1 for methylchloroisothiazolinone to methylisothiazolinone), among others.
China’s National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) has instructed the Medical Products Administrations of Hebei, Jiangsu, Zhejiang, and Guangdong provinces to initiate investigations in accordance with the law into the registrants, notifiers, and entrusted manufacturing enterprises involved in the above-mentioned non-compliant cosmetics. Relevant enterprises have been ordered to immediately implement risk control measures in accordance with the law and to carry out self-inspection and rectification.
https://www.nmpa.gov.cn/xxgk/ggtg/hzhpggtg/hzhpchjgg/hzhpcjgjj/20250407174609154.html
2. National Medical Products Administration Announcement on 30 Non-Compliant Batches of Cosmetics (2025 No.14)
During the 2024 national sampling inspection of cosmetics, 30 batches of cosmetics-including body washes, hair dye creams, hair dye pastes, facial masks, and tone-up creams were found to be non-compliant according to inspections conducted by the Shandong Institute for Food and Drug Control and other institutions. The non-compliant items included ingredient consistency, total bacterial count, total mold and yeast count, and pH value, among others.
https://www.nmpa.gov.cn/xxgk/ggtg/hzhpggtg/hzhpchjgg/hzhpcjgjj/20250421171019103.html
3. National Medical Products Administration Announcement on the Detection of Prohibited Ingredients in 18 Batches of Cosmetics (2025 No. 13)
During the 2024 national sampling inspection of cosmetics, 18 batches of cosmetics—including facial masks, acne removal creams, acne treatment serums, and shampoos were found to be non-compliant according to inspections conducted by the Heilongjiang Institute for Drug Control and other institutions. Prohibited ingredients listed in the Safety and Technical Standards for Cosmetics (2015 Edition) were detected in these products. The prohibited substances identified include 16 ingredients such as betamethasone acetate, flumethasone, dexamethasone, desonide, and metronidazole.
https://www.nmpa.gov.cn/xxgk/ggtg/hzhpggtg/hzhpchjgg/hzhpcjgjj/20250414170402168.html
4. National Medical Products Administration Announcement on the Detection of Prohibited Ingredients in 10 Batches of Cosmetics (2025 No. 16)
During the 2024 national sampling inspection of cosmetics, 10 batches of cosmetics-including anti-dandruff shampoos, face creams, moisturizers, and hair dye pastes were found to be non-compliant according to inspections conducted by the Zhejiang Institute for Food and Drug Control and other institutions. Prohibited ingredients listed in the Safety and Technical Standards for Cosmetics (2015 Edition) were detected in these products. The prohibited substances identified include Lilial (Butylphenyl Methylpropional), Terbinafine, Lincomycin, Benzene, among others.
https://www.nmpa.gov.cn/xxgk/ggtg/hzhpggtg/hzhpchjgg/hzhpcjgjj/20250427162056127.html
5. Anhui Medical Products Administration Cosmetic Quality Bulletin (2025 Issue No. 2)
On April 28, 2025, the Anhui Medical Products Administration issued a notice stating that the provincial administration organized a provincial-level supervision and sampling inspection of cosmetics within its jurisdiction. According to the inspection conducted by the Anhui Institute for Food and Drug Control, two batches of seaweed facial masks were confirmed to be non-compliant. The non-compliant items in both batches were related to excessive total bacterial count.
https://mpa.ah.gov.cn/public/4140867/122832881.html
Information Sharing
1. In April 2025, Tongxiang City in Zhejiang Province launched a special campaign focused on children's cosmetics, aiming to ensure the safety and controllability of such products and to regulate the market order for children's cosmetics. In alignment with the national and provincial cosmetic supervision and sampling inspections for the year, Tongxiang carried out supervision and sampling of children's cosmetics sold in maternity and baby product stores, shopping malls, and similar retail outlets. The campaign placed particular emphasis on strengthening inspections of products with suspicious labeling or efficacy claims, in order to promptly identify potential safety risks in the distribution and retail stages of children's cosmetics, thereby safeguarding the safe use of cosmetics for children.
2. In April 2025, the Jilin Provincial Medical Products Administration officially launched the 2025 cosmetic sampling and inspection program. This round of sampling focuses on the circulation and online sales stages of cosmetics, covering municipal, county (district), and sub-county-level regions, with 100% coverage of prefecture-level cities and no less than 10% of total sampling conducted at the township level. Sampling sites include centralized trading markets (wholesale markets), shopping malls, supermarkets, retail chain stores (excluding in-mall counters), beauty and hair salons, bath centers, and other relevant venues.
During the sampling process, inspection personnel instructed testing institutions to strengthen quality management and strictly follow established testing methods and standards to ensure that test data are authentic, accurate, and reliable. At the same time, institutions were encouraged to carry out exploratory research to further identify potential quality and safety risks in products, provide specific regulatory recommendations, and promptly submit inspection conclusions.
3. On April 10, 2025, the Market Supervision Administration of Yanqing District, Beijing, announced the completion of the first-quarter cosmetic sampling inspection. The inspection focused on three key areas:
- Key product categories, including special cosmetics, children's cosmetics, toothpaste, and products previously found to be non-compliant;
- Key distribution channels, such as beauty and hair salons, specialty stores, and pharmacies;
- Key geographic areas, including rural regions, urban-rural fringe zones, and farmers' markets.
A total of 23 batches of cosmetics were sampled, including: 6 batches of hair dye products, 4 batches of toothpaste, 4 batches of general skincare products, 4 batches of shampoo and body wash, 2 batches of children's cosmetics, 2 batches of facial masks, and 1 batch of sunscreen.
Upholding the principle of combining regulation with service, the inspection process also involved educating business operators on relevant cosmetic laws and regulations. Special emphasis was placed on promoting the Cosmetics Supervision and Administration Regulation and the Provisions for the Supervision and Administration of Children's Cosmetics. Public education efforts covered the characteristics, labeling requirements, the “Little Golden Shield” logo, and basic knowledge for purchasing children's cosmetics. Operators were urged to strictly implement the purchase inspection and documentation verification systems, to ensure control over product sourcing, acceptance, and quality. The campaign reinforced the primary responsibility of business operators, aiming to enhance their awareness of quality, accountability, and legal compliance.
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