The test report for the registration or filing of cosmetics must be issued by cosmetic registration and filing inspection institutions. The test report must conform with the requirements of the Technical Standards for Cosmetics, the Working Rules for Cosmetic Registration and Filing as well as other regulations.

This article provides a consolidated overview of the relevant regulatory notices, supplemented by recent developments in regulatory enforcement activities-such as unannounced inspections and sampling inspections-conducted by the National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) and selected provincial and municipal authorities. The aim is to assist enterprises in staying informed of evolving regulatory trends and to reinforce awareness of quality management and compliance requirements.

In our last article, Is Your Scalp Healthy? – Scalp Health Evaluation Methods (Part I), we have introduced the evaluation methods for dandruff, sebum levels, and itchiness. In this article, we will continue with the evaluation methods for erythema/papules/pustules and the overall hair status.

On June 6, 2025, CIRS Group officially launched the Global Cosmetic Ingredient Regulatory Database--Global CosIng. This database integrates regulatory information on cosmetic ingredients from major markets, including China (Taiwan included), the European Union, the United States, Canada, ASEAN countries, South Korea, and Japan. It is designed to provide enterprises with a one-stop, authoritative, and user-friendly platform for ingredient compliance inquiries, supporting cosmetic companies in global regulatory compliance and product development.

On July 31, 2025, in order to further regulate and guide the research and evaluation of sunscreen cosmetics, the Cosmetic Supervision Department under China's National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) organized the National Institutes for Food and Drug Control (NIFDC) to draft two technical guidelines: the Technical Guidelines for the Research of Sunscreen Cosmetics (Trial) (Draft for Comments) and the Technical Guidelines for the Research on Quality Control Standards of Sunscreen Cosmetics (Trial) (Draft for Comments), along with their respective drafting instructions. These documents have been released to the public for consultation.

In-vitro Evaluation

This article compiles and summarizes the latest developments in cosmetics regulations in China and globally as of September 2025, covering industry news, newly issued regulations, relevant policy adjustments, and regulatory requirements. It aims to assist enterprises in ensuring compliance and keeping up with global cosmetics regulatory trends.

Since the concept of New Approach Methodologies (NAMs) was introduced, various methods including in vitro approaches, Threshold of Toxicological Concern (TTC), and computational models have gained favor among toxicological assessment experts. With the increasing capabilities of computational models, key toxicological endpoints such as acute toxicity, skin/eye irritation, sensitization, chronic toxicity, genotoxicity, carcinogenicity, reproductive and developmental toxicity, and toxicokinetics can now be predicted using QSAR models.

Think of your scalp as an extension of your facial skin—in fact, scalp is the second most sensitive area on your head, just after the eye contour. It's the vital "soil" from which your hair grows, home to more than 100,000 follicles and a rich supply of nerves and blood vessels. Today, with the rising quality of life, people place a greater emphasis on skin care, with (scalp care also encompassed). Since the scalp and hair significantly influence facial and overall aesthetics, the interest in scalp wellness is surging. Consequently, finding effective ways to assess scalp health has become a pressing need.

On July 31, 2025, the National Institutes for Food and Drug Control (NIFDC) released six Technical Guidelines, including the Technical Guidelines for the Study of Hair Dye Cosmetics (Trial) (Draft for Comments), to solicit public opinions. The following is a detailed interpretation of the Technical Guidelines for the Study of Hair Dye Cosmetics (Trial) (Draft for Comments) and the Technical Guidelines for the Study of Quality Control Standards for Hair Dye Cosmetics (Trial). This aims to assist enterprises in keeping up with regulatory and policy changes in a timely manner, ensuring smooth adaptation to regulatory developments.