On April 30, 2026, China National Institute for Food and Drug Control (NIFDC) launched the public consultation on two cosmetic standards, namely Test Method for Efficacy Measurement of Skin Whitening Cosmetic Products (Draft for Comments) and Test Method for Efficacy Measurement of Anti-hair Loss Cosmetic Products (Draft for Comments). The deadline for comments is set for June 5, 2026.
The issuance and implementation of the two methods will unify the technical basis for efficacy testing and evaluation, and provide technical support for industry regulation, enterprise research and development, as well as market compliance management in the cosmetic sector.
Test Method for Efficacy Measurement of Skin Whitening Cosmetic Products
Scope
This method specifies the purpose, relevant definitions, subject requirements, and test procedures for evaluating the skin whitening and spot-fading efficacy of cosmetic products using a UV-induced human skin pigmentation model. It is applicable to the efficacy assessment of skin whitening and spot-fading cosmetics.
Relationship with Existing National Standards
Compared with the original method in the Safety and Technical Standards for Cosmetics (2015 Edition) (hereinafter referred to as the Technical Standards), the revised Efficacy Test Method for Skin Whitening and Spot-Fading Cosmetics has been updated with improvements to the scope, test objectives, subject selection criteria, and test methodology, thereby ensuring consistency with current regulatory requirements and strengthening quality control throughout the testing process.
Relationship with International Standards
Based on a review of the Guideline for Efficacy Evaluation of Skin Whitening Cosmetics issued by the Korean authorities, along with relevant literature, and taking full account of the current status and specific conditions in China, focused revisions and specific requirements have been made to the original method set forth in the Technical Standards, particularly regarding the border spacing between test application areas and the degree of pigmentation in the UV irradiation model.
Test Method for Efficacy Measurement of Anti-hair Loss Cosmetic Products
Scope
This method specifies the purpose, subject requirements, and test procedures for evaluating the anti-hair loss efficacy of cosmetic products. It is applicable to the efficacy assessment of anti-hair loss cosmetics.
Relationship with Existing National Standards
Compared with the original method in the Safety and Technical Standards for Cosmetics (hereinafter referred to as the Technical Standards), the revised Efficacy Test Method for Anti-Hair Loss Cosmetics has been updated with improvements to the scope, objectives, subject selection criteria, and test methodology, thereby ensuring consistency with current regulatory requirements and strengthening quality control throughout the testing process.
Relationship with International Standards
Based on a thorough review of the EEMCO Guidelines for the Assessment of Hair Loss and Alopecia published by the European Expert Group on Efficacy Measurement of Cosmetics and Other Dermatological Products (EEMCO), the Human Clinical Trial Guidelines for Cosmetics That Help Alleviate Hair Loss Symptoms issued by the Review Division of the Korean Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, along with relevant literature, and taking full account of the current status and specific conditions in China, detailed revisions have been made to the subject selection criteria, test article requirements, equipment specifications and environmental conditions, test procedure quality control and methodological refinement, data analysis, and test conclusions in the original method set forth in the Technical Standards.
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