This article compiles and summarizes the latest developments in cosmetics regulations in China and globally as of November 2025, covering industry news, newly issued regulations, latest standards updates, relevant policy adjustments, and regulatory requirements. It aims to assist enterprises in ensuring compliance and keeping up with global cosmetics regulatory trends.
China
This section is divided into three parts: Regulatory Updates, Standards Updates and Local Developments & Industry News.
Regulatory Updates
NMPA Issues the "Opinions on Deepening Reform of Cosmetics Regulation and Promoting High-Quality Development of the Industry"
On November 17, 2025, the National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) released the Opinions on Deepening Reform of Cosmetics Regulation and Promoting High-Quality Development of the Industry (hereinafter referred to as the Opinions).
The Opinions outline 24 reform measures across five key areas, aiming to further strengthen the foundation of cosmetics quality and safety, foster new quality productive forces, and accelerate the high-quality development of the cosmetics industry. These measures focus on encouraging innovation, optimizing the registration and notification system, enhancing risk prevention and control throughout the entire product lifecycle, advancing intelligent (smart) regulation, and promoting regulatory convergence with international standards.
https://www.nmpa.gov.cn/yaowen/ypjgyw/hzhpyw/20251117145837188.html
China National Institutes for Food and Drug Control (NIFDC) Issues Public Consultation Notice on Three Draft Cosmetic Standards Including "Mercury and Its Compounds (Draft for Comments)"
On November 17, 2025, the National Institutes for Food and Drug Control (NIFDC) issued a public consultation notice to further improve the technical standards for cosmetics. NIFDC has organized the formulation and revision of three draft cosmetic standards, including Mercury and Its Compounds (Draft for Comments), which are now open for public comment.
Stakeholders are invited to submit their feedback through the Cosmetic Standards Development and Revision Management System by December 12, 2025, in accordance with the relevant requirements.
Cosmetic Standards Development and Revision Management System:
https://www.nifdc.org.cn/nifdc/bshff/hzhpbzh/hzhpbzhxt/index.html
https://www.nifdc.org.cn//nifdc/bshff/hzhpbzh/hzhpbzhtzgg/202511171403081804675.html
Standards Updates
Public Consultation by the China National Light Industry Council on 64 Proposed National Recommended Standard Projects in the Light Industry Sector, Including "Polypropylene Containers for Cosmetics"
On November 3, 2025, the China National Light Industry Council publicly solicited comments on 64 proposed national recommended standard projects in the light industry sector, including Polypropylene Containers for Cosmetics, Determination and Migration of Arsenic, Cadmium, Chromium, Nickel, Lead, and Antimony in Plastic Materials in Contact with Cosmetics, and Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) Containers for Cosmetics. The deadline for submitting comments is November 7, 2025.
http://www.cnlic.org.cn/ZhinNengBuShi/ZhiLiangBiaoZhunBu/202510/t20251031_66410.html
Notice of the State Administration for Market Regulation on the Issuance of the Tenth Batch of Recommended National Standard Projects and Related Foreign Language Versions in 2025, Including “Determination of Human Epidermal Growth Factor in Cosmetics-HPLC-MS Method”
On November 4, 2025, the State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR) issued a notice stating that, upon deliberation, it has approved the issuance of the tenth batch of recommended national standard projects for 2025, along with their corresponding foreign language version plans. This batch includes a total of 667 recommended national standard projects, comprising 426 newly developed standards and 241 revised standards. Among these, 106 standards are simultaneously scheduled for the development of foreign language versions, all of which will be in English.
https://std.samr.gov.cn/noc/search/nocPlanDetailed?id=42BB31C5C7111F87E06397BE0A0AB797
Public Consultation on Three National Standards Related to Cosmetics
In November 2025, public comments were solicited on the following three national standards related to cosmetics:
- Guidelines for Risk Assessment and Identification of Microbiologically Low-Risk Cosmetics
- General Testing Methods for Cosmetics-Determination of pH Value
- Determination of Glucocorticoids in Cosmetics-Liquid Chromatography-Tandem Mass Spectrometry and Thin Layer Chromatography
https://std.samr.gov.cn/gb/search/gbDetailed?id=301B45C82C0B91B0E06397BE0A0AC418
https://std.samr.gov.cn/gb/search/gbDetailed?id=301B4CEFC0C7934CE06397BE0A0ABDAB
https://std.samr.gov.cn/gb/search/gbDetailed?id=301B4CEFC0FF934CE06397BE0A0ABDAB
Local Developments & Industry News
The Third Director’s Meeting of 2025 of the Cosmetics Standardization Technical Committee of the National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) Held in Beijing
On November 26, 2025, the third director’s meeting of 2025 of the Cosmetics Standardization Technical Committee under the National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) was held in Beijing. The meeting reviewed key work reports for 2025 from the committee's secretariat and its sub-technical committees, discussed the strategic direction for 2026, and approved 33 cosmetics standards and technical guidelines.
https://www.nmpa.gov.cn/yaowen/ypjgyw/hyxx/hzhphyxx/20251126181307177.html
Notice of the Hunan Provincial Medical Products Administration on the Implementation of the Pilot Program for Personalized Cosmetic Services
On November 13, 2025, the Hunan Provincial Medical Products Administration issued the Notice on the Implementation of the Pilot Program for Personalized Cosmetic Services. Under this program, cosmetic registrants or domestic responsible persons authorized by overseas registrants participating in the pilot (hereinafter referred to as "pilot enterprises") are permitted to carry out small-scale, on-site, simple blending and repackaging of two or more registered general cosmetics in response to consumers’ personalized needs. These services may be conducted at dedicated retail outlets or directly operated stores established within Hunan Province (hereinafter referred to as "pilot stores"). The pilot program will run for a period of two years.
https://mpa.hunan.gov.cn/mpa/xxgk/tzgg/wjtz/202511/t20251113_33848165.html
Announcement of the Shanghai Municipal Medical Products Administration on the Launch of the Pilot Program for Electronic Labeling of Cosmetics
On November 18, 2025, the Shanghai Municipal Medical Products Administration announced the launch of a pilot program for the electronic labeling of cosmetics. The pilot will commence on February 1, 2026, and will run for a period of three years. Cosmetic registrants, filers, or domestic responsible persons authorized by overseas cosmetic registrants or filers whose registered addresses are located in Shanghai may apply to participate in the pilot program. Upon selection and confirmation by the Shanghai Municipal Medical Products Administration, these pilot enterprises will be allowed to use electronic labels to provide the required Chinese labeling information for cosmetics.
https://yjj.sh.gov.cn/zx-hzp/20251118/fbb355b0537f4387b7f38f595ddbeae3.html
Announcement of the Shanghai Municipal Medical Products Administration on the Launch of the Second Phase of the Pilot Program for Personalized Cosmetic Services
On November 27, 2025, the Shanghai Municipal Medical Products Administration announced the launch of the second phase of the pilot program for personalized cosmetic services, building upon the experiences and outcomes of the initial phase. Under this program, cosmetic filers based in Shanghai or in other pilot regions specified in the official notice, as well as domestic responsible persons authorized by overseas filers, are permitted to carry out small-scale, on-site, simple blending and repackaging of two or more registered general cosmetics in response to consumers’ personalized needs. These services may be provided at dedicated retail outlets or directly operated stores located within Shanghai. The duration of the second-phase pilot is two years.
https://yjj.sh.gov.cn/zx-hzp/20251127/c5cf3d2a43c146f697dc8ff2a3069efe.html
Global
This section primarily covers global cosmetics-related developments for November, 2025.
Europe
Ukraine Proposes Amendments to the Technical Regulation on Cosmetic Products
On November 10, 2025, Ukraine submitted notification G/TBT/N/UKR/351/Rev.1 to the World Trade Organization (WTO), proposing amendments to Articles 38, 39, 47, and 52 of the Technical Regulation on Cosmetic Products, which was approved by Cabinet of Ministers Resolution No. 65 dated January 20, 2021. The revised version also includes Annexes 2 through 6 of the Regulation. The proposed amendments will be implemented in phases, and the application of transitional provisions will be aligned with relevant European Union requirements. The amendments will enter into force six months after their official publication. The deadline for submitting comments is January 9, 2026.
https://www.tbtguide.com/c/mypt/WTOTBTtb/606005.jhtml
SCCS Issued Final Opinion on Tea Tree Oil
On 14 November, 2025, the Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety (SCCS) of the European Union issued final opinion(SCCS/1681/25) on Tea Tree Oil (CAS/EC No. 68647-73-4 /285-377-1). Previously on 6 June, 2025, the SCCS issued scientific opinion(SCCS/1681/25) on Tea Tree Oil which has been open for comments. The final opinion issued this time is largely consistent with the opinion issued during the public consultation phase, but includes certain updates.
SCCS Issued Scientific Advice Open for Comments on BHA
On 17 November 2025, the Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety (SCCS) of the European Union issued preliminary opinion (SCCS/1682/25) on Butylated Hydroxyanisole (BHA) (CAS No. 25013-16-5). The deadline for comments is set for 19 January, 2026. The SCCS considers the use of BHA in leave-on and rinse off cosmetic products up to a concentration of 0.07% as safe.
SCCS Issued Scientific Advice on Hair Dye Basic Brown 16 (C009) and Basic blue 99 (C059)
On 17 November 2025, the Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety (SCCS) of the European Union issued scientific advice open for comment 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) . The deadline for comments is set for 19 January, 2026.
SAG-CS Issued Final Opinion on Hexyl Salicylate in Cosmetic Products
On November, 2025, Scientific Advisory Group of Chemical Safety of Non-food and Non-medicinal Consumer Products (SAG-CS) issued opinion on Hexyl Salicylate in Cosmetic Products. Based on the evidence available to the SAG-CS, members agreed that Hexyl Salicylate is acceptable for use in cosmetic products intended for use by adults and children aged 3 years and above at the stated concentrations:
- Hydroalcoholic-based fragrances (spray and non-spray): 2%
- All rinse-off products: 0.5%
- All leave-on products: 0.3%
- All oral care products: 0.001%
Based on the evidence available to the SAG-CS, members agreed that Hexyl Salicylate is acceptable for use in cosmetic products intended for use by children aged 0-3 at the stated concentrations:
- 0.1% for use in shower gel, hand soap, shampoo, hair conditioner, body lotion, face cream, hand cream, lipstick/lip balm, fragrance products；
- 0.001% in toothpaste.
UK Proposes Amendments to Cosmetics Regulation: Approval of Hexyl Salicylate and Prohibition of 13 CMR Substances
On November 27, 2025, the United Kingdom submitted notification G/TBT/N/GBR/108 to the World Trade Organization (WTO), proposing amendments to the UK Cosmetics Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009. The proposed amendments mainly include the approval of Hexyl Salicylate by listing it as a restricted ingredient in cosmetics, as well as the prohibition of 13 substances classified as CMR (Carcinogenic, Mutagenic, or Reprotoxic). The amendments are scheduled to be officially published in February 2026, with the deadline for comments set for January 26, 2026.
https://docs.wto.org/imrd/directdoc.asp?DDFDocuments/t/g/tbtn25/gbr108.docx
Asia
Indonesia Proposes HS Code List for Products Subject to Mandatory Halal Certification
On November 6, 2025, Indonesia submitted notification G/TBT/N/IDN/160/Add.2 to the World Trade Organization (WTO), announcing the Draft Decree of the Minister of Religious Affairs Regarding Establishment of Harmonized System Codification of Types of Products that are Required to be Halal Certified in Food and Beverages. This draft decree proposes the establishment of a Harmonized System (HS) code list for products that are subject to mandatory halal certification. The draft is currently open for public consultation, with the comment period ending on November 30, 2025.
https://docs.wto.org/dol2fe/Pages/SS/directdoc.aspx?filename=Q:/G/TBTN23/IDN160A2.pdf&Open=True
Indonesia’s New Requirements on Cosmetic Labeling, Promotion, and Advertising Now in Effect, Full Enforcement Begins November 2025
In November 2024, the Indonesian Food and Drug Authority (BPOM) introduced new provisions under Regulation No. 18/2024, governing the labeling, promotion, and advertising of all cosmetic products in Indonesia. The regulation came into effect on November 15, 2024. A 12-month transitional period has been granted to holders of cosmetic distribution licenses that were obtained prior to the effective date, requiring full compliance with the new requirements by November 15, 2025. Relevant companies are advised to pay close attention to the transition timeline and ensure product compliance with the new regulation.
https://peraturan.bpk.go.id/Details/309969/peraturan-bpom-no-18-tahun-2024
Taiwan Updates the List of Ingredients Restricted in Cosmetic Products
On 6 November 2025, the Taiwan Food and Drug Administration (TFDA) updated and released the list of restricted cosmetic ingredients. The key revisions include deletion of Boric acid and its salts; addition of 34 ingredients and revision of 74 entries.
https://www.fda.gov.tw/eng/law.aspx?cid=5062&cr=1738211904
Taiwan Announces Testing Method for Sudan Dyes in Cosmetics
On November 24, 2025, the Taiwan Food and Drug Administration (TFDA) under the Ministry of Health and Welfare officially issued the testing method for Sudan dyes in cosmetics (Method No. RA03D015.001), which came into effect upon the date of publication. This testing method is applicable to the detection of four Sudan dyes in cosmetics: Sudan I (CI 12055), Sudan II (CI 12140), Sudan III (CI 26100), and Sudan IV (CI 26105).
https://www.fda.gov.tw/tc/siteListContent.aspx?sid=1574&id=49913
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