Global Cosmetics Regulatory Updates-Vol.37 (March2026)

This article compiles and summarizes the latest developments in cosmetics regulations as of March 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

12 Cosmetic Inspection and Testing Methods Officially Implemented Starting March 1

As of March 1, 2026, the following new and revised methods have been added to the "Cosmetics Safety and Technical Standards (2015 Edition)":

• Determination of Hard Particles in Toothpaste (new method)
• Determination of Diethylene Glycol and Glycol in Toothpaste (new method)
• Determination of Soluble/Free Fluoride in Toothpastes (new method)
• Determination of Total Fluoride in Toothpaste (new method)
• In Chemico Skin Sensitisation The ARE-Nrf2 Luciferase LuSens Test
• Determination of Li and 42 Kinds of Elements in Cosmetics (revised method)
• Determination of Li and 42 Kinds of Elements in Toothpaste (revised method)
• In Chemico Skin Sensitisation: Kinetic Direct Peptide Reactivity Assay (kDPRA) (new method)
• Skin Absorption: In vitro Method (new method)
• Bovine Corneal Opacity and Permeability (BCOP) Assay (new method)
• Immunotoxicity Test (new method)
• Oral Mucous Irritation Test (new method)

SAMR: Crack Down on Malpractices Such as "Large Font for Attention, Small Font for Disclaimers" and "Tailored Citation" in Advertising

On March 13, 2026, the Advertising Supervision Department of the State Administration for Market Regulation issued a notice on strengthening the supervision of prompt language in advertisements. To maintain advertising market order and protect the legitimate rights and interests of consumers, the State Administration for Market Regulation will carry out a six-month campaign to clean up and rectify abuses in prompt language in advertisements.

Eight New Regulations: Announcement on Matters Related to Cosmetic Registration and Filing (Draft for Comment) Released

On March 31, 2026, China’s NMPA issued the drafting of the "Announcement on Matters Related to Cosmetic Registration and Filing (Draft for Comment)," which is now open for public comments. The public comment period is from March 31 to April 30, 2026. The draft includes eight points as follows:

• Encouraging First Launch of New Cosmetic Products in China
• Reducing Animal Test Data for Cosmetics
• Changing Raw Material Safety-Related Information to Enterprise Archive for Inspection
• Safety Technical Data for Approximate Products with Shared Formula Systems
• Simplifying Registration and Filing Data Requirements for Products with Changed Production Sites
• Expanding the Acceptable Range of Efficacy Claim Evaluation Test Methods for Cosmetics
• Sharing Efficacy Claim Evaluation Test Data for Approximate Cosmetics with Shared Formula Systems
• Simplifying Data for Changing Domestic Responsible Person

Standards Updates

Public Consultation on the Mandatory National Standard "General Requirements for Cosmetic Safety (Draft for Comments)"

On March 19, 2026, the General Office of Chin;’s National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) publicly solicited comments on the mandatory national standard "General Requirements for Cosmetic Safety (Draft for Comments)." This document outlines the general requirements, raw material requirements, and product requirements for cosmetics. It applies to cosmetics manufactured and sold within the territory of the People's Republic of China. It does not apply to cosmetics intended solely for sale outside the People's Republic of China.

General Labeling for Cosmetics and Technical Safety Requirements for Toothpaste: Two National Standards Open for Public Consultation

On March 30, 2026, China's National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) publicly solicited opinions on two mandatory national standards, including “Instructions for use of consumer interest- Part 3: General labelling for cosmetics” and “General requirements of safety and technical for toothpastes”. 

Summary of Other Cosmetic-Related Standards:

Industry News and Local Developments

2026 National Cosmetic Supervision and Management Work Conference Held

From March 24 to 25, 2026, the 2026 National Cosmetic Supervision and Management Work Conference was held in Nanchang, Jiangxi Province. The conference summarized the work in 2025 and the "14th Five-Year Plan" period, analyzed the current situation, and studied and deployed key tasks for 2026. The conference concluded that in 2025, the entire system conscientiously implemented the major decisions and arrangements of the Party Central Committee and the State Council, comprehensively built the bottom line of cosmetic safety, supported the high-quality development of the cosmetic industry throughout the entire chain, improved the quality and efficiency of registration and filing work, continuously strengthened post-market supervision, achieved practical results in inspection and investigation, effectively improved regulatory capabilities, promoted high-quality industrial development through reform and innovation, and worked together to build a pattern of social co-governance.

Shangcheng District, Hangzhou City, Zhejiang Province Advances Cosmetic Electronic Labeling Pilot

On March 6, 2026, the Zhejiang Provincial Medical Products Administration issued a notice stating that the Market Supervision Administration of Shangcheng District, Hangzhou City, Zhejiang Province is fully advancing the pilot work of cosmetic electronic labeling. Through three measures - strengthening overall deployment, focusing on enterprise cultivation, and strengthening publicity and guidance - the Bureau guides enterprises to build electronic labeling systems that comply with regulations, ensuring that electronic labels have functions such as tamper resistance and traceability. The electronic labeling pilot aims to optimize label management, protect consumers' right to know, and help promote high-quality industrial development.

Shandong Province Revises Cosmetic Administrative Penalty Discretion Benchmarks

On March 6, 2026, the Shandong Provincial Medical Products Administration released the "Administrative Penalty Discretion Benchmarks for Drugs, Medical Devices, and Cosmetics (Draft for Comment)," and the comment period closed on April 6, 2026. The new regulations refine cosmetic violation penalty standards and implement the principle of proportional punishment. For illegal situations such as production and operation without certificates, based on regulations such as the Cosmetics Supervision and Administration Regulations, penalty types include ordering suspension of production and operation, confiscation of illegal income and illegal property, and fines. The new regulations provide a unified law enforcement scale for grassroots regulatory departments, improve the standardization level of cosmetic supervision, and ensure consumer cosmetic use safety.

Henan Province Launches Three-Year Action for Quality Improvement of Cosmetic Enterprises

On March 15, 2026, the Henan Provincial Medical Products Administration released the "Henan Province Cosmetic Enterprise Production Quality Management System Improvement Three-Year Action Plan (2026-2028)," launching a three-year quality improvement action for cosmetic enterprises. The plan focuses on three major tasks: implementing the main responsibilities of enterprises, modernizing regulatory governance capabilities, and upgrading industrial grades. Through measures such as "one enterprise, one policy" precision assistance, hierarchical classification supervision, and smart supervision platform construction, it comprehensively improves the quality system operation level of cosmetic enterprises.

Hainan Province Seeks Public Comments on "Several Measures to Support the Improvement of Production Quality Management System of Cosmetic Enterprises (Draft for Comment)"

On March 24, 2026, the Hainan Provincial Medical Products Administration released the "Several Measures to Support the Improvement of Production Quality Management System of Cosmetic Enterprises (Draft for Comment)," and the comment period closed on March 30. The measures mainly include: strengthening main responsibilities and building a new pattern of quality control; optimizing service supply and stimulating new vitality of industrial innovation; strengthening technical support and creating a new engine for smart supervision.

Office of Guangdong Provincial MPA Issues Guangdong Province Cosmetic Enterprise Production Quality Management System Improvement Three-Year Action Plan (2026-2028)

On March 24, 2026, the Office of the Guangdong Provincial Medical Products Administration issued the Guangdong Province Cosmetic Enterprise Production Quality Management System Improvement Three-Year Action Plan (2026-2028). The plan clarifies that by the end of 2028, the main responsibility awareness of cosmetic enterprises in the province will be comprehensively strengthened, the overall system operation level will be improved, a number of quality benchmark enterprises will emerge, and regulatory service capabilities will continue to be optimized.

Shanxi Province Issues 16 Measures for Cosmetic Supervision Reform

On March 31, 2026, the Shanxi Provincial Medical Products Administration released the "Several Measures of Shanxi Province for Deepening Cosmetic Supervision Reform and Promoting High-quality Industrial Development," launching 16 specific measures to support high-quality industrial development. The measures cover five aspects: supporting registration and application of new efficacy cosmetics, establishing a "R&D-evaluation" pre-consultation mechanism; encouraging research and development of "silver-haired" cosmetics, opening green service channels for elderly-friendly products; exploring personalized services and electronic labeling pilots; optimizing filing management processes, introducing artificial intelligence to assist in data organization; promoting enterprise hierarchical classification supervision and smart supervision platform construction. The document emphasizes strengthening industrial services, establishing a "one-on-one" assistance mechanism for key enterprises, and continuously optimizing the business environment.

International Cosmetics Regulatory Updates

This section primarily covers global cosmetics-related developments for March, 2026.

EUROPE

SCCS Issued Final Opinion on Thiomersal and Phenylmercuric Salts as Peservatives in Cosmetic Products

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. Considering that the Margin of Safety based on renal toxicity as the most sensitive endpoint is less than 100, and that genotoxicity evidence is unresolved, the use of ‘Thiomersal’ and ‘Phenylmercuric salts’ as preservatives in cosmetic eye products is not considered safe at the concentration levels currently permitted 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.

NORTH AMERICA

US FDA Updates Cosmetic Facility Registration Data, Launches New Features to Assist Registration Renewal

On March 6, 2026, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) updated cosmetic facility registration data. Currently, more than 14,000 cosmetic facilities have registered with the FDA. At the same time, the FDA has updated the portal, user guides, and related information materials to assist cosmetic enterprises in completing biennial registration renewals. This update includes new features of the electronic portal (Cosmetics Direct) that can display the registration status and renewal date of cosmetic facilities. In addition, the system will send automated registration renewal reminders to registered facilities and has updated user guides and tutorials to better support enterprises in completing the registration renewal process.

US FDA Launches New Unified Adverse Event Monitoring System (AEMS)

On March 11, 2026, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced the launch of a new Unified Adverse Event Monitoring System (AEMS), aimed at integrating the original seven adverse reaction report databases to more effectively analyze adverse event reports. This initiative marks an important step in the FDA's modernization process, aimed at improving the safety and transparency of regulated products.

ASIA

Taiwan, China TFDA Clarifies Processing Timeframes for Various Cosmetic Application Matters

On March 3, 2026, the Taiwan Food and Drug Administration (TFDA) of the Department of Health, Executive Yuan issued Announcement No. 1151400412, amending the "Application Item Processing Period Table," involving multiple fields including drugs, food, medical devices, and cosmetics. This announcement clarifies the processing timeframes for various matters, including a total of 11 items related to cosmetic management categories and a total of 12 items related to cosmetic manufacturing site management and laboratory certification categories, now summarized for reference.

Vietnam Updates Cosmetic Management Ordinance Draft, Public Consultation Period Until May 1, 2026

On March 2, 2026, the Vietnam Drug Administration of the Ministry of Health submitted WTO notification G/TBT/N/VNM/393, updating the "Draft Ordinance on Cosmetic Management." Currently, the ordinance is undergoing public consultation, with a proposed effective date of July 1, 2026, and a deadline for submission of comments of May 1, 2026. Previously, Vietnam notified the "Draft Ordinance on Cosmetic Management" on June 17, 2025, and September 4, 2025, respectively. The above latest ordinance has been updated compared to the earlier version, containing a total of ten chapters and 52 articles, covering cosmetic product filing, cosmetic production in Vietnam, etc., applicable to domestic and foreign institutions, organizations, and individuals involved in Vietnam-related cosmetic activities.

Vietnam Recalls 291 Cosmetic Products Due to D4 Ingredient

On March 3, 2026, the Vietnam Ministry of Health issued an announcement to suspend circulation and recall 291 cosmetic products containing cyclotetrasiloxane and octamethylcyclotetrasiloxane nationwide. The above two substances belong to cyclic siloxanes, commonly used in cosmetics such as foundations, lipsticks, sunscreens, and hair care products. In recent years, they have attracted widespread attention in multiple global markets due to their bioaccumulative properties and potential toxicity.

South Korea Amends "Enforcement Decree of the Cosmetic Act," Adding "Cosmetic Day" Activities and Overseas Direct Purchase Regulatory Provisions

On March 10, 2026, the South Korean government issued Presidential Decree No. 36176, amending the "Enforcement Decree of the Cosmetic Act." This amendment adds provisions related to "Cosmetic Day" activities and also stipulates that the Minister of the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) may request the heads of central administrative agencies to provide necessary data and information to investigate and study the purchase and use of directly imported cosmetics. The amended decree enters into force on March 10, 2026, and the provisions regarding overseas direct purchase regulation (Article 13, Paragraph 2) take effect on April 2, 2026.

South Korea Amends Cosmetic Safety Standards, Effective March 18

On March 25, 2026, the Korea Cosmetic Industry Association (KCIA) issued a notice stating that the Korean Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) revised the "Regulation on Safety Standards, etc. for Cosmetics." This revision mainly involves: restructuring the hair dye ingredient list, adding 1 UV filter, and updating some testing methods. The revision content entered into force on March 18, 2026. The MFDS had released a draft revision of this regulation on January 12, 2026.

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