On January 12, 2026, the National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) issued Announcement No. 6 of 2026, officially incorporating 18 new and revised standards into the Cosmetic Safety Technical Standards (STSC 2015).

This update follows a public consultation concluded in September 2025 and officially modifies the lists of prohibited substances, restricted ingredients, and permitted UV filters. These changes mark a decisive step toward stricter safety controls and further international alignment for the Chinese market.

Standards effective from January 1, 2027

1. Limits for Total Bacterial Count: new strict limits for eye cosmetics, lip cosmetics, and children’s cosmetics.
2. Limits for 1,4-Dioxane: the residual limit in finished products is reduced from 30 ppm to 10 ppm.
3. 4-Methylbenzylidene Camphor (4-MBC): this UV filter is now officially Banned (aligned with EU regulations).
4. 6-Amino-m-Cresol: definition of new technical standards and concentration limits for this component.
5. Perfluorooctyl Sulfonic Acid and its Salts (PFOS): banned (Not listed in IECIC – Inventory of Existing Cosmetic Ingredients in China).
6. Perfluorooctanoic Acid and its Salts (PFOA): banned (Not listed in IECIC).

Standards effective from January 1, 2028

• Butylphenyl Methylpropionaldehyde (Lilial): new technical standards and concentration limits.
• Cyclotetrasiloxane (D4): banned, with a residual limit of < 0.1% in finished products. (Note: Corrected from “Cyclotetramethrin”).
• Zinc Pyrithione (ZPT): banned.
• Salicylic Acid: lower permitted concentration limits.
• Clomidazole (Climbazole): reduction of permitted usage limits.
• Methylisothiazolinone (MIT): implementation of more restrictive limits.
• Polyaminopropyl Biguanide (PAPB): lower permitted concentration limits.
• Benzyl ketone-3 (Benzophenone-3): lower limits in China, now aligned with EU standards.
• Homosalate: limits reduced to 7.34% (matching EU); however, China maintains broader applications for eye and lip products compared to the EU.
• Octocrylene: lower limits in China, now aligned with EU standards.
• Toluene-2,5-Diamine: new technical standards and concentration limits.
• Toluene-2,5-Diamine Sulfate: new technical standards and concentration limits.

Application and Compliance

• Market Placement: cosmetics that do not comply with the new requirements must not be placed on the market after the implementation dates. Non-compliant products will be subject to regulatory action.
• Sell-through Period: products already manufactured or imported before the effective dates may continue to be sold until the end of their shelf-life.

New Technical Guidelines for Ingredients and Anti-Hair Loss Products

In addition to the STSC 2015 updates, the National Institutes for Food and Drug Control (NIFDC) has in December 2025 released several key guidelines aimed at standardizing cosmetic filings:

• Guidelines for Ingredient Use and Filing: New technical documents, such as the Technical Guidelines for the Use Purpose of Cosmetic Ingredients (Trial), now outline 72 specific categories of use. These provide a standardized reference for classifying ingredients (e.g., preservatives, skin whiteners, anti-acne agents) during the registration of finished products or new raw materials.
• Anti-Hair Loss Specialization: stricter requirements have been introduced for anti-hair loss products through the Technical Guidelines for Anti-hair loss Cosmetic Product Research. These standards define the scope of safety, efficacy evaluation, and action mechanisms required for this specific category.

These technical guidelines are expected to be fully implemented starting from June 19, requiring companies to provide solid scientific support and functional research data for any “other use purposes” not explicitly listed.

Strategic Overview

This regulatory update represents a comprehensive overhaul of the Chinese cosmetic framework. By combining stricter impurity thresholds (such as 1,4-Dioxane), bans on key substances (D4, ZPT), and standardized classification guidelines for ingredients and special-effect products, the NMPA is significantly raising the bar for market access.

Companies should audit their formulations and technical dossiers – particularly for children’s products, UV filters – to ensure compliance before the upcoming 2027 and 2028 deadlines.

>>> Complife supports you with regulatory consultancy services and testing to ensure full compliance for China Market access.

SOURCES:
https://www.nmpa.gov.cn/hzhp/hzhpjmtg/20260112145634170.html

www.nifdc.org.cn

中检院关于发布《化妆品原料使用目的技术指南（试行）》的通知