On May 29, 2026, China’s National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) released eight testing methods to be incorporated into the corresponding chapters of the Safety and Technical Standards for Cosmetics (2015 Edition).
The following four methods are newly added testing methods:
- Determination of Trivalent Chromium and Hexavalent Chromium in Cosmetics
- Determination of Ethyl Lauroyl Arginate HCl in Cosmetics
- Determination of 1-Hydroxyethyl-4,5-diaminopyrazole Sulfate and Other 10 Ingredients in Cosmetics
- Safety Evaluation of Long-term Using Tests of Cosmetics on Human Body
The following four methods are revised testing methods, replacing the original methods in the Safety and Technical Standards for Cosmetics (2015 Edition):
- Bacterial Reverse Mutation Test
- In Vitro Mammalian Cells Chromosome Aberration Test
- 90-Day Oral Toxicity Test
- 90-Day Dermal Toxicity Test
The above eight methods shall come into effect on March 1, 2027. Prior to the implementation of the above methods, the adoption of these methods for testing related to cosmetics registration and dossier filing is encouraged.
Four Newly Added Testing Methods
1. Determination of Trivalent Chromium and Hexavalent Chromium in Cosmetics
This method specifies the determination of trivalent chromium and hexavalent chromium in cosmetics by high-performance liquid chromatography–inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (HPLC-ICP-MS). This method is applicable to the determination of trivalent chromium and hexavalent chromium in cream and emulsion products, liquid (aqueous and oil-based) products, gel products, powder products, compressed products, and mud/mask products.
2. Determination of Ethyl Lauroyl Arginate HCl in Cosmetics
This method specifies the determination of ethyl lauroyl arginate HCl in cosmetics by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). This method is applicable to the determination of ethyl lauroyl arginate HCl in liquid (aqueous and oil-based) products, cream and emulsion products, powder products, and gel products.
3. Determination of 1-Hydroxyethyl-4,5-diaminopyrazole Sulfate and Other 10 Ingredients in Cosmetics
This method specifies the determination of 1-hydroxyethyl-4,5-diaminopyrazole sulfate and other 10 ingredients in cosmetics by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). This method is applicable to the determination of 1-hydroxyethyl-4,5-diaminopyrazole sulfate and other 10 ingredients in hair dye cosmetics. Cosmetic ingredients may exist in various forms, such as sulfates, hydrochlorides, etc. When multiple forms coexist, they shall be uniformly calculated in one form.
The 11 ingredients covered by this method include: 1-hydroxyethyl-4,5-diaminopyrazole sulfate, hydroxyethyl-p-phenylenediamine sulfate, tetraaminopyrimidine sulfate, 1,3-bis-(2,4-diaminophenoxy)propane hydrochloride, HC Red No. 3, Disperse Black 9, 2-amino-6-chloro-4-nitrophenol, Basic Red 76 (CI 12245), hydroxypropyl bis(N-hydroxyethyl-p-phenylenediamine) hydrochloride, 2,6-dimethoxy-3,5-pyridinediamine hydrochloride, and 6-methoxy-2-methylamino-3-aminopyridine hydrochloride (HC Blue No. 7).
4. Safety Evaluation of Long-term Using Tests of Cosmetics on Human Body
This method specifies the objectives, subject requirements, and procedures for long-term human use testing. This method is applicable to the evaluation of adverse reactions on human skin caused by new skin-whitening and freckle-removing cosmetic ingredients.
Four Revised Testing Methods
5. Bacterial Reverse Mutation Test
This method specifies the basic principles, requirements, and procedures for the bacterial reverse mutation test. This method is applicable to the detection of gene mutations in cosmetic ingredients and products.
6. In Vitro Mammalian Cells Chromosome Aberration Test
This method specifies the basic principles, requirements, and procedures for the in vitro mammalian cell chromosome aberration test. This method is applicable to evaluating the mutagenicity of cosmetic ingredients and products.
7. 90-Day Oral Toxicity Test
This method specifies the basic principles, requirements, and procedures for the 90-day oral toxicity test in rodents. This method is applicable to evaluating the 90-day oral toxicity of cosmetic ingredients.
8. 90-Day Dermal Toxicity Test
This method specifies the basic principles, requirements, and procedures for the 90-day dermal toxicity test in animals. This method is applicable to evaluating the 90-day dermal toxicity of cosmetic ingredients.
CIRS Reminder
The update of these eight testing methods further improves China's cosmetic safety standards system, drives domestic testing technology toward alignment with advanced international standards, and continuously enhances the scientific and regulatory rigor of cosmetic safety oversight. The new regulations will officially take effect on March 1, 2027. Enterprises are advised to make full use of the transition period to complete compliance adaptations in an orderly manner.
It is recommended to comprehensively conduct product self-inspections, assess key items such as chromium components, novel preservatives, and hair dye ingredients, proactively prepare for long-term human use testing related to new skin-whitening and freckle-removing ingredients, and complete product verification and validation in accordance with the new standards to ensure stable compliance operations after the new regulations take effect.
CIRS Group will continue to monitor changes to the Safety and Technical Standards for Cosmetics and promptly release the latest updates.
If you need any assistance or have any questions, please get in touch with us via service@cirs-group.com.
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