Major Update! China NMPA Releases Eight Major Matters Concerning Cosmetic Registration and Filing
China Cosmetics Efficacy Evaluation Safety Testing
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On July 29, 2026, China's NMPA released the Announcement on Matters Concerning Cosmetic Registration and Filing (hereinafter referred to as the "Announcement"). The Announcement introduces optimization measures across eight major dimensions, including encouraging the domestic first launch of new cosmetic products, reducing/exempting cosmetic animal testing data, and expanding the acceptance scope of efficacy claim evaluation test methods.

CIRS Group has now compiled and organized the interpretation below for reference.

I. On Encouraging the First Launch of New Cosmetic Products in China

Benchmarking against international high-standard economic and trade rules and fostering a first-launch economy in China's cosmetics sector, for international new cosmetic products first launched and marketed in China or simultaneously marketed in China and other countries (regions), during product registration and filing, the registrant or notifier may provide a declaratory statement of the product's first launch in China, and be exempted from submitting the proof documents showing that the product is already being marketed in the country (region) where the registrant/notifier is located or the country (region) of manufacture. The sales packaging of the country (region) of manufacture submitted by the above-mentioned international new cosmetic products during registration and filing may be in the form of design drawings.

II. On Reducing/Exempting Cosmetic Animal Testing Data

For perm products, non-oxidative hair dye products, and skin-whitening (freckle-removing) products with only physical masking effects among special cosmetics, as well as general cosmetics using new ingredients (excluding children's cosmetics), where the manufacturing enterprise has already obtained a qualification certificate related to the production quality management system issued by the competent government authority of the country (region) where it is located, and the product safety risk assessment results can sufficiently confirm the safety of the product, the toxicology test report of the product is exempted from submission during product registration and filing. Based on the development of scientific research, the NMPA's cosmetic technical review department may, through formulating technical guidelines, adjust the scope of products eligible for animal testing reduction/exemption in a timely manner.

III. On Adjusting the Ingredient Safety-Related Information of Cosmetics (Including Toothpastes) to Enterprise Archiving for Inspection

During product registration and filing, registrants and notifiers are not required to fill in the ingredient safety information files and ingredient reporting codes of the ingredients used in the product; they only need to fill in the name of the ingredient manufacturer, and the relevant materials are archived by the enterprise itself for inspection. Where technical documents such as the Safety and Technical Standards for Cosmetics have relevant requirements for ingredient quality specifications, registrants and notifiers shall submit the quality specifications or test reports of the ingredients in the product formula section or the safety assessment data. The NMPA will no longer make ingredient reporting codes public. For already registered or filed products where the manufacturer or the quality specifications of the ingredients used are added or changed, the update/maintenance or application for change shall be made in accordance with the requirements of the Provisions on the Administration of Cosmetic Registration and Filing Data.

IV. On Optimizing the Requirements for Sharing Safety Technical Data Among Cosmetics (Including Toothpastes) with Similar Formulation Systems

(1) Where the same product registrant/notifier intends to register or file multiple products with similar formulation systems under the same brand, the registrant/notifier may select one representative product to conduct microbiological and physicochemical testing, toxicology tests, and human safety tests in accordance with the requirements, and submit an explanation of the product's representativeness together with the above test reports.

When other products are registered or filed, the above test reports may be shared, but an explanation of the formulation system similarity must be submitted, and the scientific validity and rationality of sharing the test reports must be assessed and confirmed.

(2) Where the production sites of products with similar formulation systems are not the same, representative products shall be selected separately to conduct microbiological and physicochemical testing. During product registration and filing, the corresponding microbiological and physicochemical test reports shall be submitted, and the toxicology test and human safety test reports may be shared.

(3) "Products with similar formulation systems" referred to herein means products that differ only in the types and contents of colorants, fragrances, pH adjusters, polymer thickeners, and pearlescent agents, and in the contents of the corresponding adjusted parts of the formula (solvents, fillers), while the types and contents of the other formula ingredients are the same, and the product dosage form and usage method are the same. Based on the development of scientific research, the NMPA's cosmetic technical review department may, through formulating technical guidelines, adjust the recognition scope of products with similar formulation systems in a timely manner.

(4) Registrants and notifiers may, in accordance with the assessment principles for similar products in the Technical Guidelines for Cosmetic Safety Assessment, conduct safety assessments of ingredients and risk substances, as well as of product stability, preservative efficacy, and packaging material compatibility.

V. On Simplifying the Registration and Filing Data Requirements for Cosmetics (Including Toothpastes) with a Change of Production Site

For already registered or filed imported products that are to be transferred to domestic production or to have a domestic manufacturer added, or already registered or filed domestically-produced products that are to be transferred to overseas production or to have an overseas manufacturer added, where the registrant, notifier, product name, and formula have not changed, and the implemented standards have not undergone substantial changes, during product registration and filing, the registrant/notifier may share the toxicology test, human safety test, safety assessment, efficacy evaluation and other test/assessment reports, but shall re-conduct microbiological and physicochemical testing and submit the test reports, and shall at the same time submit the original product registration certificate or filing voucher.

VI. On Expanding the Acceptance Scope of Efficacy Claim Evaluation Test Methods for Cosmetics

For efficacy claims of products other than skin-whitening (freckle-removing), sun protection, and anti-hair loss, on the premise of sufficient scientific basis, registrants and notifiers are allowed to independently select industry standards, international standards, technical guidelines, or validated enterprise in-house methods, etc., to conduct efficacy claim evaluation tests.

VII. On Accepting the Sharing of Efficacy Claim Evaluation Test Data Among Cosmetics with Similar Formulation Systems

(1) Where the same product registrant/notifier intends to register or file multiple products with similar formulation systems under the same brand, the registrant/notifier may select one representative product to conduct efficacy claim evaluation tests.

When other products are registered or filed, the efficacy claim evaluation test data may be shared, but an equivalence assessment shall be conducted to confirm the scientific validity and rationality of sharing the efficacy claim evaluation test data. When publishing the summary of efficacy claim evaluation test data in accordance with regulations, the situation of sharing the efficacy claim evaluation test data shall be explained.

(2) The efficacy claim evaluation test reports, the explanation of formulation system similarity, the equivalence assessment and other relevant materials are archived by the enterprise itself for inspection.

Where skin-whitening (freckle-removing), sun protection, or anti-hair loss efficacy is involved, during product registration, the registrant shall submit the efficacy claim evaluation test data and the explanation of formulation system similarity.

(3) "Products with similar formulation systems" referred to herein means products that differ only in the types and contents of colorants, fragrances, preservatives, pH adjusters, polymer thickeners, and pearlescent agents, and in the contents of the corresponding adjusted parts of the formula (solvents, fillers), while the types and contents of the other formula ingredients are the same, and the product dosage form and usage method are the same. Based on the development of scientific research, the NMPA's cosmetic technical review department may, through formulating technical guidelines, adjust the recognition scope of products with similar formulation systems in a timely manner.

VIII. On Simplifying the Data for Changing the Domestic Responsible Person of Cosmetics (Including Toothpastes)

Where the Domestic Responsible Person of a product is changed, it is no longer necessary to submit the informed consent form stamped by the original Domestic Responsible Person agreeing to the replacement of the Domestic Responsible Person, or the judgment documents that can prove the effectiveness of the change of the Domestic Responsible Person. Only the following need to be submitted:

(1) The original letter of authorization of the Domestic Responsible Person and its original notarization;

(2) A list of products for which the Domestic Responsible Person is to be changed;

(3) A letter of commitment from the proposed new Domestic Responsible Person to assume all the responsibilities of the original Domestic Responsible Person for the products (including products already marketed before the change).

This Announcement shall come into force as of the date of issuance. Where the content of relevant documents previously issued by the NMPA is inconsistent with this Announcement, this Announcement shall prevail.

CIRS Reminder

This new cosmetic registration and filing policy introduces multiple measures simultaneously: by streamlining filing data, simplifying approval procedures, and relaxing innovation restrictions, it effectively reduces enterprise costs in R&D testing, efficacy evaluation, and compliance filing, fully unleashing the industry's innovation vitality, and helping enterprises accelerate the pace of new product launch and broaden the space for product innovation. It is recommended that cosmetic enterprises promptly gain a thorough understanding of the detailed rules of the new regulations, optimize the full-process management of R&D, testing, and filing, and achieve compliance-based cost reduction and efficiency gains, so as to seize the development opportunities of the industry!

About CIRS

Established in 2007, the CIRS Group is a leading product safety and regulatory consulting firm. CIRS has branch offices in the Republic of Ireland, South Korea, the United States, the United Kingdom, Japan and China. CIRS Group utilizes its technical expertise, various resources, and international network to provide one-stop compliance services from regulatory compliance, laboratory testing, R&D to data services across multiple industries. This includes chemicals, cosmetics, food and food beverages, medical devices, agrochemical products, disinfectants, and consumer goods. It helps clients gain a competitive advantage by reducing business risks associated with regulatory affairs.

The CIRS cosmetic team provides expert support to ensure that cosmetic products meet stringent global cosmetic regulations and safety standards. 

We offer comprehensive, lifecycle-based solutions for personal care products, from early-stage cosmetic ingredient development through to final product registration. Our services include:

With deep expertise in cosmetic regulatory compliance and safety evaluations, our team enables brands to bring products to market efficiently and with confidence.

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Further information

China NMPA

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