In August 2026, the Medical Products Administrations (MPAs) of Shanghai and Guangdong Province successively issued cosmetic supervision and sampling inspection notices, involving a total of 15 non-compliant batches of cosmetics. During the same period, the Qinzhou Municipal Administration for Market Regulation of Guangxi reported six batches of non-compliant cosmetics, the cosmetic production licenses of 13 manufacturers in Guangzhou were cancelled, and Ningxia issued new rules on the non-punishment of minor violations in cosmetic regulation.
CIRS Group has compiled and summarized the August sampling inspection data and regulatory developments to help enterprises stay abreast of market regulatory trends and proactively identify compliance risks.
Local Drug Administration Cosmetic Supervision and Sampling Inspection Data
Notice of the Shanghai Medical Products Administration on Cosmetic Supervision and Sampling Inspection Quality (Issue No. 2, 2026)
On August 10, 2026, the Shanghai Medical Products Administration issued a notice announcing the results of the quality supervision and sampling inspection it organized among cosmetic production and distribution enterprises. A total of six batches of cosmetics failed to meet the requirements: four batches of hair styling products had methanol content exceeding the limits; one batch of aloe vera gel had a total plate count exceeding the limit; and one batch of perfume illegally contained the banned ingredient HYDROXYISOHEXYL 3-CYCLOHEXENE CARBOXALDEHYDE.
Notice of the Guangdong Medical Products Administration on Cosmetic Sampling Inspection Information (Issue No. 4, 2026)
On August 19, 2026, the Guangdong Medical Products Administration issued Issue No. 4 cosmetic sampling inspection notice for 2026. Among the 700 batches of cosmetics sampled, nine batches failed to meet the requirements: six batches of sunscreen products did not contain the UV filters stated on their labels or contained UV filters not stated on the labels; two batches of toothpaste had arsenic content exceeding the limits; and one batch of shampoo had a total plate count exceeding the limit.
Regulatory Updates
Cosmetic Production Licenses of 13 Manufacturers in Guangzhou Cancelled
On August 6, 2026, the Guangzhou Municipal Administration for Market Regulation issued a notice announcing the cancellation, in accordance with the law, of the cosmetic production licenses of 13 cosmetic manufacturers. Among them, nine enterprises voluntarily cancelled their licenses, and four had their licenses cancelled due to failure to apply for renewal upon expiration.
Qinzhou of Guangxi Reports 6 Batches of Non-Compliant Cosmetics
On August 10, 2026, the Qinzhou Municipal Administration for Market Regulation of Guangxi issued a notice stating that it organized the 2026 municipal-level cosmetic sampling inspection in two stages, with the first stage completed in mid-July. Based on testing and evaluation under the Safety and Technical Standards for Cosmetics (2015 Edition), a total of six batches of cosmetics were found to be non-compliant, involving three batches of sunscreen products, two batches of shampoo products, and one batch of aloe vera gel. The main non-compliant items included excessive total plate count, excessive preservative content, and ingredient profile mismatch.
Ningxia Issues New Rules on Non-Punishment of Minor Violations in Cosmetic Regulation
Recently, the Medical Products Administration of the Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region issued the Provisions on Lawful Non-Punishment of Minor Violations in the Field of Drug Regulation, which took effect on September 1, 2026, and will remain valid until August 31, 2031. The new rules apply to the regulation of drugs, medical devices, and cosmetics.
They classify non-punishment circumstances into three categories: minor violations exempt from punishment, no-fault violations exempt from punishment, and first-time violations exempt from punishment. The rules clarify the criteria for identifying minor violations (e.g., a duration generally not exceeding 30 days, illegal gains generally not exceeding RMB 500, and a value of goods generally not exceeding RMB 3,000) and are accompanied by a list of 14 exemption items. Compliance is promoted through measures such as ordering correction, persuasion and education, and admonishment interviews. However, the rules do not apply to violations that touch upon safety bottom lines, seriously endanger life and health, or involve circumstances warranting heavier punishment.
CIRS Reminder
The August 2026 supervision and sampling inspection results show that non-compliance is frequent among sunscreen products, with issues concentrated in UV filter label inconsistencies and excessive total plate count. Exceeding limits for restricted substances such as methanol and arsenic, as well as the illegal addition of the banned ingredient HICC, also warrant high vigilance.
We remind relevant enterprises to closely follow regulatory trends, carry out raw material control and formula review against typical inspection problems, promptly identify compliance risks, strictly comply with the Cosmetic Supervision and Administration Regulation (CSAR) and relevant technical specifications, and avoid quality and compliance risks at the source, so as to comprehensively build a solid foundation for quality, safety, and compliance.
What Can CIRS Do for You?
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, and R&D to data services across multiple industries.
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:
- Cosmetic ingredient development and regulatory strategy,
- Physical/chemical and analytical tests,
- Toxicological tests (in vivo & in vitro),
- Efficacy and claim substantiation studies (in vivo & in vitro), and
- Ingredient and product registration across global markets.
With deep expertise in cosmetic regulatory compliance and safety evaluations, our team enables brands to bring products to market efficiently and with confidence.
Our Services
- China Cosmetics Registration and Filing
- China New Cosmetic Ingredients Registration and Filing
- China Toothpaste Filing
- Cosmetics Safety Test
- Cosmetics Efficacy Claims Test
- Micrological analysis
- Physicochemical Analysis
- Being a Domestic Responsible Person
- Safety Assessment Report
- Cosmetic Ingredient Quality and Safety Info Code Application
- Formula/Label/Ingredient Review
- Regulatory Consulting/Reporting/Training
- Custom Clearance
If you need any assistance or have any questions, please get in touch with us via service@cirs-group.com.
