China: New Mandatory Standard on Cosmetic Safety– What GB 7916-2026 means for Cosmetics
On August 6, 2026, the Chinese authorities announced the issuance of “GB 7916-2026, Cosmetics – General safety Requirements”, the first mandatory national standard in China specifically addressing general cosmetic safety requirements. Published on July 30, 2026, it will enter into force on January 1, 2028, replacing “GB 7916-1987, Hygienic Standard for Cosmetics”.
The new standard
The new standard marks a shift from a framework focused primarily on hygiene requirements to a broader framework of general safety requirements, extending its scope to the entire life cycle of cosmetics: from raw materials, formulation and manufacturing to packaging, storage, transportation and product use.
The objective is to establish, within a single mandatory standard, requirements applicable to both the supply chain and finished products, supporting a more systematic approach to quality and safety management across the supply chain and product life cycle.
Key changes
The new standard introduces a more structured approach to cosmetic safety and updates requirements relating to substances, products and potential risks.
Key changes include:
- Regulated substances and ingredients: the standard systematizes definitions for restricted ingredients, preservatives, UV filters and colorants, as well as packaging materials, and establishes comprehensive binding lists of prohibited substances, including chemical and botanical/animal substances.
- Stricter microbiological requirements: for example, for cosmetics intended for children under 12 years of age and products applied to the eye area, eyelashes or lips, the total microbial count limit is set at 100 CFU/g or mL, compared with 1,000 CFU/g or mL for other cosmetic products.
- Control of substances of concern: for example, specific limits apply to contaminants such as mercury, lead, arsenic and cadmium, alongside revisions to the prohibited substance catalogues.
Impact on cosmetic industry operators
For manufacturers, brand owners and exporters, the entry into force of GB 7916-2026 means a structured compliance review for products intended for the Chinese market.
In particular, companies may need to assess:
- raw material and supplier specifications;
- packaging materials and carrier compatibility;
- microbiological and physicochemical test results;
- contaminants and substances of concern;
- documentation supporting the safety assessment.
This broader approach may also require companies to review whether their existing quality management and control processes adequately address the new requirements. Particular attention may be required for cosmetics intended for children and products intended for use around the eyes, eyelashes and lips.
Entry into force and transition period
GB 7916-2026 will enter into force on January 1, 2028. Cosmetics manufactured or imported before this date may continue to be marketed until the end of their shelf life.
The transition period therefore provides companies with an opportunity to assess the impact of the new standard, conduct a gap assessment and plan any necessary testing and regulatory compliance activities in advance.
Testing and convergence with international standards
The new approach also reflects increasing convergence with key international references for cosmetic safety. The standard draws on EU Cosmetics Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009 and ISO 17516 among the references considered in its development.
This does not necessarily imply a general increase in testing, but it may require a more structured assessment of testing needs and available evidence, depending on the formulation, raw materials, product category and associated risk profile. For operators, this could mean reviewing the adequacy of existing analytical data and documentation and, where necessary, planning additional testing and regulatory assessment activities.
>>> From cosmetic regulatory consulting to testing, Complife experts can support your product development, cosmetic testing and compliance strategy for the Chinese market.
