Overview of cosmetic testing requirements

In China, all cosmetic products must undergo comprehensive testing to ensure safety, efficiency, and regulatory compliance. Test reports for cosmetic registration or filing must be issued by accredited inspection institutions and conform to the requirements of:

• The Technical Standards for Cosmetics,
• The Working Rules for Cosmetic Registration and Filing; and
• Other relevant regulations.

Required test reports include:

• Microbial Test Report;
• Physicochemical Test Report;
• Toxicological Test Report;
• Human Safety Test Report; and
• Cosmetic Efficacy Test Report.

Testing Items

Physicochemical testing

• Heavy metals;
• Asbestos, methanol, dioxane, diethylene glycol, phenol, free formaldehyde, pesticide residues, benzene, and PH value;
• Sunscreen agents, hair dyes, preservatives, and colorants;
• Hormones, anti-infective drugs, fragrance allergens, residual organic solvents, plastic microbeads

Microbial testing

Total colony count, total yeast and mold count, staphylococcus aureus, pseudomonas aeruginosa and thermotolerant coliforms.

Toxicological tests

Alternative methods in toxicology

• Eye irritation: Hen's egg chorioallantoic membrane test
• Skin irritation/corrosion: Skin corrosion rat skin transcutaneous electrical resistance (TER) test, skin irritation test (In vitro reconstructed skin model), in-vitro skin corrosion (Human skin model)
• Phototoxicity: In-vitro 3T3 neutral red uptake phototoxicity test
• Skin sensitisation: Local lymph node assay (LLNA), direct peptide reactivity assay, ARE-Nrf2 luciferase test method, in vitro skin sensitisation assay for key event on activation of dendritic cells.
• Acute oral toxicity: Fixed-dose acute toxicity procedures of chemicals
• Acute inhalation toxicity: Acute inhalation toxicity test

Tests for full version safety assessments in China

According to the Technical Guidelines for Safety Assessment of Cosmetics 2021, cosmetics registrants and filers should conduct safety assessments by themselves or by entrusting professional institutions. Since 2022, a product safety assessment report must be submitted for cosmetics registration and filing. As of May 1, 2025, a full version product safety assessment report is required.

The testing items cover:

• Challenge testing;
• Cosmetic packaging compatibility testing; and
• Stability testing.

Cosmetic efficacy evaluation

According to the Supervision and Administration Regulations (CSAR), the efficacy claims of cosmetics should have a sufficient scientific basis. Cosmetics registrant and filer should publish a summary of the literature, research data or product efficacy evaluation information on the efficacy claims on the NMPA designated website for public supervision.

Cosmetic registrant and filer should be responsible for the scientificity, authenticity, reliability and traceability of the submitted summary of the basis for the efficacy claims.

Click here to learn more detals about cosmetic efficacy evaluation.

Why Choose CIRS Testing?

• Advanced Laboratory Facilities: Fully equipped laboratories for phyicochemical, microbial, toxicological, and efficacy testing;
• Compliance Expertise: Extensive experience with Chinese regulatory standards and technical specifications;
• Technical Excellence: Highly skilled team of scientists and regulatory professionals;
• Global Service Network: Our global team can provide support for international brands exporting to China; and
• An Elite International Team: Multidisciplinary experts providing end-to-end testing and compliance services.

Our Expertise

The CIRS Testing Cosmetic Laboratory is accredited by the China National Accreditation Service for Conformity Assessment (CNAS), China Metrology Accreditation (CMA), and the National Medical Products Administration. These accreditations are not only essential for registration and filing of cosmetics in China, but they also demonstrate that our testing methods and data meet international testing and quality standards, ensuring that results are scientifically robust and globally recognized.

With a dedicated team of over 60 professionals, including experts in regulatory compliance, customer service, and laboratory research, we are committed to delivering accurate, compliant, and science-based testing solutions.

Our laboratory has developed multiple patents and maintains strong collaborations with national and international laboratories.

For more information or to discuss your cosmetic testing needs in China, please contact us at cosmetic-ck@cirs-group.com.