Author: Luna Jade – Global K-Beauty Specialist with 10+ Years in Global Skincare Trends.
In this report will discuss the anticipated China cosmetic regulations for 2025 and how they may impact global beauty brands.
Beijing, July 2025 — China’s cosmetic market continues to grow rapidly, attracting global brands eager to enter the world’s second-largest beauty industry. However, the China cosmetic regulations 2025 impose strict requirements on imported products, covering ingredient registration, labeling, safety reporting, and domestic agent responsibilities. Understanding these rules is crucial for compliance and smooth market entry.
1. China Cosmetic Regulations 2025: Regulatory Framework and Classification
Under the Regulations on the Supervision and Administration of Cosmetics (化妆品监督管理条例), China classifies cosmetics based on risk levels:
- Special Cosmetics (特殊化妆品): Products with functional claims, including hair dyes, sunscreens, anti-freckle or whitening products, hair growth prevention, and products with new efficacy claims.
- Ordinary Cosmetics (普通化妆品): Products for basic cleansing, moisturizing, and beautification without functional claims.
- New Cosmetic Ingredients (化妆品新原料): Ingredients not previously used in China, especially those for preservation, UV protection, coloring, dyeing, or whitening, require full registration before use.
Registration and filing are processed through the official NMPA platform. Special cosmetics and high-risk new ingredients need formal approval, while ordinary cosmetics and low-risk ingredients require only filing.
2. Domestic Responsible Agent in China Cosmetic Regulations 2025
Global brands must appoint a domestic responsible person (国内责任人) if they do not have a legal entity in China. The domestic agent is legally responsible for:
- Submitting registration or filing applications under the brand’s name.
- Monitoring adverse reactions and reporting ingredient safety to the National Medical Products Administration (NMPA).
- Coordinating recalls and ensuring product quality and safety in the Chinese market.
- Cooperating with inspections and responding to regulatory inquiries.
This requirement ensures that the Chinese authorities have a legally accountable entity within the country.
3. China Cosmetic Regulations 2025: New Ingredient Registration and Filing
The NMPA enforces a strict timeline for new ingredient approval:
- Submission: Applicants must provide research reports, manufacturing processes, stability data, and detailed safety assessments.
- Technical Review: The technical evaluation agency completes the review within 90 working days.
- Decision: The NMPA decides on approval within 20 working days after receiving the technical review opinion.
- Public Disclosure: Approved or filed ingredients are published within 5 working days.
Brands must also submit annual safety reports for three years after using new ingredients. If no safety concerns arise after three years, the ingredient will be listed in the catalog of approved cosmetic ingredients.
4. Cosmetic Product Registration and Filing
For cosmetic products, the requirements differ between special and ordinary categories:
- Special Cosmetics: Must undergo full registration, including submission of formula details, safety evaluation reports, and evidence of sales in the country of origin. Approval results in a Cosmetic Registration Certificate, valid for five years.
- Ordinary Cosmetics: Require a filing process only, but the same level of documentation on ingredients, safety, and manufacturing standards must be maintained for inspection.
The NMPA updates approved product information publicly within five working days after registration or filing.
5. Safety and Quality Responsibilities
Quality and safety management is a legal obligation for registrants, filers, and entrusted manufacturers. Key responsibilities include:
- Keeping purchase and sales records for at least one year after the product’s shelf life ends.
- Appointing a qualified Quality and Safety Manager with at least five years of relevant experience.
- Conducting regular internal audits to ensure compliance with China’s Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) for cosmetics.
- Stopping production and notifying authorities immediately if safety risks are detected.
6. Labeling Rules Under China Cosmetic Regulations 2025
China enforces strict labeling standards to protect consumers and ensure transparency:
Mandatory information includes:
Product name, registration certificate number (for special cosmetics), manufacturer name and address, production license number, full ingredient list, net content, expiration date, and safety warnings.
Labels must be truthful, complete, and consistent with the original packaging. Claims of medical effects, misleading terms, or socially inappropriate expressions are strictly prohibited.
Imported cosmetics can use Chinese labels either as original printing or by adding an additional sticker. However, any Chinese label must be identical to the original content.
7. Recall and Safety Reporting
If a product poses a risk to human health, registrants or filers must:
- Immediately stop production and sales.
- Recall distributed products and notify distributors and consumers to cease use.
- Record the recall process and report corrective actions to the local provincial NMPA office.
Non-compliance may result in fines, product bans, or revocation of registration certificates.
8. Customs Inspection for Imported Cosmetics
All imported cosmetics are subject to customs inspection under the Administrative Measures for the Inspection and Quarantine of Imported and Exported Cosmetics (进出口化妆品检验检疫监督管理办法).
The certificate records key details, including product name, brand, origin, batch number, and manufacturing date.
Products must be stored in designated facilities before obtaining the Customs Inspection and Quarantine Certificate (入境货物检验检疫证明).
Sale or use is strictly prohibited until the certificate is issued.
9. Implications for Global Beauty Brands
The China cosmetic regulations 2025 reflect the government’s focus on consumer safety and transparency. While compliance can be time-consuming, brands that follow these procedures can benefit from growing demand in China’s $80 billion beauty market.
Industry experts recommend partnering with experienced Chinese regulatory consultants or appointing a reliable domestic responsible agent to avoid delays in market entry. As the Chinese market becomes more competitive, transparent regulatory compliance is not only a legal requirement but also a key trust-building strategy for global beauty brands.
Related Articles:
Korean Cosmetics Regulations: A Comprehensive Report for Global Brands
Korean Cosmetics OEM/ODM: How to Build Your Own K-Beauty Brand
Inside the China Inner Beauty Market: Trends, Growth & 2025 Outlook
Malaysia Cosmetic Export & NPRA Regulations: 2025 Market Outlook
Method & Source Notes
This article is based on regulatory documents and official guidelines from the National Medical Products Administration (NMPA), the Regulations on the Supervision and Administration of Cosmetics, and publicly accessible trade bulletins regarding China’s cosmetic market.
Disclaimer: This report is intended for informational and journalistic purposes only.It does not constitute legal, financial, or promotional advice. Readers should consult official NMPA documents or qualified regulatory consultants for compliance guidance.