This article compiles and summarizes the latest developments in cosmetics regulations as of February 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.
China’s Cosmetics Regulatory and Standards Updates & Industry News
This section is divided into two main modules: Regulatory & Standards Updates and Industry News. The first module primarily covers the latest regulatory developments issued by national authorities such as the National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) and the National Institutes for Food and Drug Control (NIFDC). The latest developments related to cosmetic standards will also be presented in this section. The second module compiles and summarizes cosmetics-related key industry news.
Regulatory Updates
On February 6, 2026, the NIFDC announced that, in order to further improve the technical standards for cosmetics, it has organized the development of the draft for the "General Principles for Microbial Testing Methods in Cosmetics" and five other cosmetic standard revision projects. Public consultation is now open for feedback. Please submit your comments through the "Cosmetic Standards Revision Management System" by the deadline of March 22, 2026.
Standards Updates
National Standard:
On February 4, 2026, the Standard Technology Department of the State Administration for Market Regulation released a public consultation for 201 proposed national standard projects, including "Quality Control of Culture Media and Diluents Used in Cosmetic Microbiology Standards." The deadline for submitting comments has passed, ending on March 6, 2026.
On February 10, 2026, the China National Light Industry Federation issued a letter soliciting feedback on the this national standard draft. The deadline for submitting comments is April 10, 2026.
The document outlines the accounting boundaries, measurement and monitoring requirements, accounting steps and methods, data quality management, and reporting content and format for greenhouse gas emissions accounting and reporting for daily chemical product enterprises. It is applicable to companies involved in the manufacturing of soap and synthetic detergents, cosmetics, oral hygiene products, fragrance and flavor manufacturing, as well as other daily chemical products, regarding the accounting and reporting of their greenhouse gas emissions.
Local Standard:
On February 9, 2026, the Liaoning Provincial Market Supervision Administration released this draft local standard.The deadline for submitting comments has passed, ending on March 5, 2026.
The document specifies the contents of the filing materials for general cosmetics and outlines the technical requirements for preparing these materials, including the filing application form, basis for product naming, product formulation, applicable standards, product labeling, inspection reports, and safety assessment documentation. It is applicable to the preparation of filing technical materials by the filers of general cosmetics (or domestic responsible parties) and can also be referenced by regulatory authorities during the review of filing materials for general cosmetics.
On February 9, 2026, the Hunan Provincial Market Supervision Administration issued a notice soliciting feedback on this local standard draft. The deadline for submitting comments has passed, ending on March 9, 2026.
The document outlines the types of cosmetics businesses (or operators), their responsibilities, institutional development, personnel requirements, quality management, record-keeping, and continuous improvement. It is applicable to the operational management of cosmetics businesses (or operators).
Industry News
On February 11, 2026, the Heilongjiang Provincial Drug Administration released the "Three-Year Action Plan (2026-2028) for Enhancing the Production Quality Management System of Cosmetics Enterprises," outlining the deployment of quality improvement efforts for cosmetics enterprises across the province from 2026 to 2028. The implementation plan specifies three major areas, 12 key tasks, and 27 sub-tasks, with targeted measures to support the enhancement of the quality management systems of these enterprises.
On February 13, 2026, the Hangzhou Market Supervision Administration issued a draft notice based on the "Reform Work Plan for Cosmetics Registration Management to Empower Enterprises" (Zhe Yao Jian Zhuang [2025] No. 8) issued by the Zhejiang Provincial Drug Administration, and the "Opinions on Continuously Deepening the Reform of Commercial Systems to Serve High-Quality Development" (Hang Shi Guan [2024] No. 54). In light of the actual conditions in Hangzhou, the administration has prepared the draft notice on enhancing the fast-track approval process for the registration of domestic ordinary cosmetics. Public consultation is open from February 13, 2026, to March 15, 2026.
International Cosmetics Regulatory Updates
This section primarily covers global cosmetics-related developments for February, 2026.
EUROPE
SCCS Issued Final Opinion On Hair Dye Basic Brown 16 (C009) and Basic blue 99 (C059)
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 10 February 2026, the Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety (SCCS) of the European Union issued final opinion (SCCS/1686/25) on the safety of Thiomersal (CAS No 54-64-8) and Phenylmercuric salts (CAS No 62-38-4, 94-43-9) as preservatives in cosmetic products.
SCCS Issued Final Opinion on Prostaglandin Analogues
On February 10, 2025, the Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety (SCCS) of the European Union issued final opinion (SCCS/1680/25) on Prostaglandin Analogues: Methylamido-Dihydro-Noralfaprostal (MDN) (CAS No. 155206-01-2), Isopropyl Cloprostenate (IPCP) (CAS No. 157283-66-4) and Dechloro Dihydroxy Difluoro Ethylcloprostenolamide (DDDE) (CAS No. 1185851-52-8). Compared to the scientific advice issued on June 6, 2025, the final opinion has been updated.
EU Releases New Regulations for Detergents and Surfactants: Biodegradability and Digital Product Passport Become Mandatory Requirements
On February 11, 2026, the European Union officially published new regulations regarding detergents and surfactants (EU) 2026/405, aimed at fully replacing the previous regulations (EC) No 648/2004, which have been in effect for nearly twenty years. The new regulations establish minimum requirements for the biodegradability of surfactants, impose restrictions on the content of phosphates and other phosphate compounds in household laundry detergents and household automatic dishwasher detergents, and introduce the Digital Product Passport (DPP) along with new labeling rules, including provisions related to allergenic fragrances. Companies exporting detergents or surfactants to the EU will need to comply with these regulations.
On February 24, 2025, the Biocidal Products Committee (BPC) of the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) concluded that ethanol can be approved for use in hand and general disinfectants. The committee did not take a position on whether ethanol should be considered a carcinogen or a reproductive toxicant.
NORTH AMERICA
Cosmetics Containing PFAS: Canadian Government Issues CAD 750,000 Fine
On February 2, 2026, Environment and Climate Change Canada announced that one famous cosmetic enterprise 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).
SOUTH AMERICA
On February 26, 2026, the Brazilian Health Regulatory Agency (Anvisa) announced progress in its experimental project focused on personalized personal care, cosmetics, and perfume products. According to Brazil's Proposal No. 18/2025, the project aims to select up to five innovative projects to test the business model of offering personalized products directly at sales points under differentiated and temporary regulatory conditions. The registration phase for interested companies ended in January 2026. Anvisa has established a Working Group (GT) and appointed members to drive this pioneering technical implementation initiative in Brazil.
ASIA
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.
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. Upon completion of the application and successful payment, the electronic certificate will be issued by MDA via e-mail within 7 working days. For application approved prior to 1 March 2026, the physical certificate will continue to be issued.
South Korea Plans to Amend Cosmetics Act to Regulate Labeling and Environmental Claims
On February 23, 2026, the Korea Cosmetics Association (KCA) announced plans to amend the Cosmetics Act. Proposed by Assemblyman Kim Ki-woong, this amendment aims to regulate the accuracy of information in cosmetics labels and advertisements, ensuring that claims about the environmental characteristics or efficacy of cosmetics and their containers and packaging (such as biodegradability) comply with standards set by relevant international organizations or the Prime Minister's orders. The deadline for submissions is ended by February 27, 2026.
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