To support the implementation of China’s Cosmetics Supervision and Administration Regulations and to further standardize the management of cosmetic ingredients while promoting ingredient innovation, the National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) released the Announcement on Matters Related to the Management of the Inventory of Existing Cosmetic Ingredients (2025 No. 61) on June 23, 2025. This announcement introduces a dynamic adjustment mechanism for the Inventory of Existing Cosmetic Ingredients (IECIC), allowing for continuous updates and improvements to the list.
To clarify key management issues related to the IECIC, the NMPA has issued a series of official responses. The cosmetic team at CIRS Group has compiled and translated these explanations for industry reference.
Question 1: Why establish a dynamic adjustment mechanism for the IECIC?
Answer: To facilitate the management of existing cosmetic ingredients, the NMPA has divided the IECIC into two lists: IECIC I and IECIC II.
IECIC I objectively includes ingredients that have been previously used in cosmetics produced or sold within China. Due to historical reasons, some information recorded in IECIC I may be inaccurate or non-standard. In the future, necessary supplements, improvements, or corrections will be made based on scientific research progress, industry development, and the practical needs of regulatory work. IECIC II will be continuously and dynamically updated, incorporating newly registered ingredients that have completed their safety monitoring period and have been assessed to meet regulatory requirements.
By establishing a dynamic adjustment mechanism for the Inventory and proactively disclosing updates in a timely manner, the NMPA aims to adopt a more scientific, flexible, and pragmatic approach – one that aligns with the expectations of the cosmetics industry and the realities of current regulatory practices.
Question 2: If the information of an ingredient listed in IECIC I is adjusted, is it necessary to update the labels of cosmetics containing that ingredient?
Answer: Adjustments to the information of ingredients listed in IECIC I generally do not require changes to the labels of cosmetics containing those ingredients. However, if the Chinese name of an ingredient is modified (e.g., textual corrections in the name), the filers or notifiers of cosmetics using that ingredient must revise the product label mock-ups and update the product labels in accordance with the relevant provisions of the Provisions on the Management of Cosmetic Registration and Filing Data.
Since such adjustments to the Chinese names of ingredients do not affect product quality or safety, do not mislead consumers, and do not constitute labeling violations or defects, in order to reduce the waste of social resources and alleviate the burden on enterprises, cosmetics already on the market before the adjustment of IECIC I may continue to be sold until the end of their shelf life. Additionally, filers, notifiers, and entrusted manufacturing enterprises may continue using pre-printed product labels until inventory is exhausted.
Question 3: How do you report issues if any non-standard or incomplete information is found in the IECIC?
Answer: To better collect opinions and suggestions for improving the IECIC (especially IECIC I), the NMPA has added a "Revision Suggestions" section on the public webpage. Industry enterprises and the public are welcome to provide specific feedback and suggestions for the revision and improvement of the IECIC.
To ensure the scientific accuracy, while encouraging industry and the public to submit revision proposals, it is also recommended to upload relevant supporting materials. For example, if suggesting revisions to the Chinese name or INCI/English name of a certain ingredient, supporting documents may include references such as the Chinese Pharmacopoeia, Chinese or international botanical monographs, INCI, or the latest updates from the EU CosIng database. If suggesting the addition of remarks for a certain ingredient, supporting evidence may include documentation showing that the ingredient is essentially prohibited, restricted, or conditionally allowed for use in cosmetics in China.
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 Efficacy Evaluation;
- In-vitro Safety and Efficacy Evaluation;
- 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/xxgk/zhcjd/zhcjdhzhp/20251020091913153.html
