On September 17, 2025, China’s National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) announced that, based on the summary of the initial pilot phase, it has decided to launch the second phase of the pilot program for personalized cosmetic services in 15 regions. Starting from October 1, 2025, cosmetic registrants or domestic responsible persons authorized by overseas registrants participating in the pilot program may, at their established specialty stores, directly operated stores, or other business premises, independently carry out small-scale, simple blending and repackaging services of two or more registered general cosmetics on-site, based on consumers’ personalized needs. The pilot period will last for two years.
Key Points Analysis
Pilot Regions
Pilot regions include: Beijing, Tianjin, Hebei, Heilongjiang, Shanghai, Zhejiang, Shandong, Henan, Hunan, Guangdong, Guangxi, Hainan, Chongqing, Yunnan and Shaanxi.
Personalized Cosmetic Services
Personalized cosmetic services refer to activities whereby cosmetic registrants or domestic responsible persons authorized by overseas registrants (hereinafter referred to as "pilot enterprises") independently carry out small-scale, simple blending and repackaging services of two or more registered general cosmetics on-site, based on consumers’ personalized needs, at their established specialty stores, directly operated stores, or other business premises (hereinafter referred to as "pilot stores").
Pilot Cosmetics
The cosmetics used in personalized services must be general cosmetics registered by the pilot enterprise. They shall not include children's cosmetics, eye care cosmetics, or cosmetics containing new ingredients.
Pilot Enterprises
Enterprises intending to engage in personalized cosmetic services shall be cosmetic registrants or domestic responsible persons authorized by overseas registrants who possess a valid cosmetic manufacturing license, maintain a sound quality management system, and have a good social credit standing. Moreover, they must not have been subject to any administrative penalties due to cosmetic quality or safety issues in the past three years. Enterprises that participated in the initial phase of the pilot program may continue to carry out personalized service activities under the second phase.
Participation Procedure for Pilot Enterprises
For enterprises intending to engage in personalized cosmetic services:
Step 1: Submit an application to the provincial drug regulatory authority in the region where the enterprise is located.
Step 2: Provide supporting documents demonstrating compliance with the requirements of the pilot program.
Step 3: Undergo on-site assessment organized by the provincial drug regulatory authority, covering both the enterprise and its proposed pilot stores within the same administrative region.
Step 4: Upon meeting all requirements, the enterprise may commence personalized cosmetic services.
For enterprises that have already obtained pilot qualifications and intend to establish pilot stores in other participating provinces, autonomous regions, or municipalities:
Step 1: Submit an application to the provincial drug regulatory authority where the new pilot store is to be located.
Step 2: Undergo document review and on-site assessment of the proposed pilot store.
Step 3: Upon meeting the requirements, the enterprise may carry out personalized cosmetic services at the new location.
Responsibilities of Pilot Enterprises and Pilot Stores
- Pilot enterprises shall ensure the safety of personalized cosmetic products provided to consumers.
- The labels or instructions accompanying personalized products must comply with relevant laws, regulations, mandatory national standards, and technical specifications. They must clearly indicate the name and address of the enterprise and business premises, the date of personalized service, product shelf life, and other required information.
- Pilot stores must be incorporated into the registrant’s quality management system. A quality management system appropriate to the scale of personalized services and the types of cosmetics involved shall be established and effectively implemented.
- Pilot enterprises are responsible for managing the facilities, operating environment, service activities, and personnel of their pilot stores. They shall establish quality management systems and standard operating procedures (SOPs) for the stores, and ensure product traceability through batch numbers or other identifiers.
- Each pilot store shall appoint a quality and safety officer responsible for the quality and safety management of personalized products and for product release, ensuring traceability and safety throughout the entire service process.
- Pilot stores shall be staffed with operators appropriate to the scope of personalized services. Operators must receive training and pass assessments conducted by the pilot enterprise before commencing work.
- Pilot stores shall be equipped with operational areas and facilities suited to the personalized services offered, and ensure reasonable layout and workflow.
- Pilot stores shall establish and implement a product sales record system, ensuring consistency between delivery documents, sales records, and the actual products sold.
- Pilot enterprises and pilot stores shall establish a complaint management system for personalized products. Consumer complaints must be truthfully recorded and handled in a timely manner. Any adverse reactions must be reported to the adverse reaction monitoring system as required. If quality or safety issues are identified, corrective actions must be taken promptly.
Responsibilities of Local Drug Regulatory Authorities
- Timely disclose the list of approved pilot enterprises and pilot stores to the public.
- If a pilot enterprise and its pilot store are located in different provinces, autonomous regions, or municipalities, the respective provincial drug regulatory authorities shall share relevant information in a timely manner and strengthen coordinated supervision.
- Strengthen supervision and inspection of pilot enterprises and pilot stores within their jurisdiction. If an enterprise or store is found to be non-compliant with the pilot program requirements, corrective actions shall be ordered. In cases of serious non-compliance or failure to rectify, pilot qualifications shall be revoked.
About CIRS
The CIRS cosmetic team is dedicated to ensuring that cosmetic products meet stringent global regulatory standards. It can provide one-stop services covering the whole life-cycle of a personal care product, which includes cosmetic ingredient development, physical/chemical tests, toxicological tests (in vivo & in vitro), efficacy studies (in vivo & in vitro), ingredient registration, and product registration.
Cosmetic services in China:
- China Cosmetic Registration and Filing;
- China New Cosmetic Ingredient Registration and Filing;
- China Cosmetic Ingredient Quality and Safety Information Code Application (NMPA Code);
- China Cosmetics Safety and Efficacy Test;
- China Cosmetic Safety Assessment Report;
- China Toothpaste Filing;
- China Disinfectant Notification;
- China Cosmetic Formula/Label/Claim Review; and
- Customs Clearance
If you need any assistance or have any questions, please get in touch with us via service@cirs-group.com.
Further Information
https://www.nmpa.gov.cn/hzhp/hzhpjgdt/20250917113949126.html
