Summary Report on Cosmetic Supervision and Sampling Inspection in China-March 2026

In March 2026, the Shanghai Municipal, Fujian Provincial, Hubei Provincial, and Anhui Provincial Medical Products Administrations successively issued announcements regarding cosmetic supervision and sampling inspections. A total of 12 batches of products were found to be non-compliant. This summary of the announcements aims to help enterprises stay informed of evolving regulatory trends and strengthen their quality management and compliance awareness.

Cosmetic Supervision and Sampling Inspection Data

Shanghai Municipal Medical Products Administration Announcement on 2026 Issue No. 1 of Cosmetic Supervision and Sampling Inspection Quality

On March 2, 2026, the Shanghai Municipal Medical Products Administration announced that to strengthen cosmetic quality supervision and administration, regulate market order, and ensure the safety of consumer cosmetic use, Shanghai organized quality supervision and sampling inspections of cosmetic production and operation enterprises. A total of 7 batches of cosmetics (2 batches of styling sprays, 1 batch of hair dye cream, 1 batch of acne essence, 1 batch of shampoo, 1 batch of hair dye paste, and 1 batch of body wash) were found to be non-compliant. Non-compliance issues included: ingredient comparison – detection of hair dye agents HC Yellow No. 2 not indicated in product labels and registration data technical requirements; methanol; formaldehyde; lincomycin; and total bacterial count.

Fujian Provincial Medical Products Administration Announcement on Cosmetic Sampling and Inspection Results (2026 Issue No. 1)

On March 18, 2026, the Fujian Provincial Medical Products Administration announced that to strengthen cosmetic quality supervision and administration, the Fujian Provincial Medical Products Administration organized cosmetic supervision and sampling inspections throughout the province. The inspections found 1 batch of rinse-free care lotion to be non-compliant, with the non-compliance item being total bacterial count.

Hubei Provincial Cosmetic Quality Announcement (2026 Issue No. 1)

On March 23, 2026, the Hubei Provincial Medical Products Administration announced that according to the Hubei Provincial cosmetic sampling and inspection plan, drug regulatory departments at all levels conducted sampling inspections on cosmetic production enterprises, wholesale markets, large cosmetic sales venues, and beauty and hair salons throughout the province. A total of 3 batches of cosmetics (1 batch of facial mask, 1 batch of laundry detergent, and 1 batch of sunscreen lotion) were found to be non-compliant. Non-compliance items were respectively: total bacterial count; methylchloroisothiazolinone and methylisothiazolinone with magnesium chloride and magnesium nitrate (methylchloroisothiazolinone:methylisothiazolinone ratio 3:1)/%，etc.

Anhui Provincial Medical Products Administration Announcement on Anhui Provincial Cosmetic Supervision and Sampling Inspection Quality (2026 Issue No. 1)

On March 25, 2026, the Anhui Provincial Medical Products Administration issued an announcement that to strengthen cosmetic supervision work and ensure the safety of consumer cosmetic use, the Anhui Provincial Medical Products Administration organized quality supervision and sampling inspections on cosmetic production and operation enterprises throughout the province. The results showed that 1 batch of hair dye paste was non-compliant, with detection of hair dye ingredients p-phenylenediamine and 4-amino-2-hydroxytoluene not indicated in product labels and registration data.

Regulatory Updates

Research Report on Quality and Safety of Sunscreen Cosmetics 2026 Officially Released

Recently, the Development Research Center of the State Administration for Market Regulation officially released the Research Report on Quality and Safety of Sunscreen Cosmetics 2026 (hereinafter referred to as the "Report"). In recent years, regulatory systems in major global cosmetic markets have undergone significant reconstruction and strengthening, and the cosmetic industry has entered an era of "enhanced supervision," aiming to address an increasingly complex market environment and better meet rising consumer safety demands. The Report points out that China's sunscreen cosmetic market shows a positive development trend, with steady global market growth and China's market becoming an important growth engine. The sunscreen market scale is projected to exceed RMB 32 billion in 2026. Sunscreen cosmetics have entered a mature development stage, with data showing that during 2020-2025, the number of registered sunscreen cosmetics continued to rise rapidly by over 50%. Meanwhile, consumers have become increasingly rational, with decision-making shifting from "brand-driven" to "ingredient and efficacy-driven," presenting highly segmented demand characteristics, and placing high importance on skin feel, sun protection efficacy, and ingredient safety.

Guangdong Provincial Medical Products Administration Conducts Cosmetic Market Inspection Campaign

Recently, the Guangdong Provincial Medical Products Administration organized regulatory personnel to focus on key areas and key venues, conducting market inspection campaigns across the province on cosmetic wholesale markets, beauty and hair salons, supermarkets and shopping malls, and maternal and infant stores. This inspection adheres to the principles of "problem-oriented, targeted efforts, and closed-loop rectification," focusing on key inspections of the legitimacy of business entity qualifications, traceability of product sources, and standardization of labeling. Regulatory personnel verified whether there are illegal acts such as selling "three-no" products, counterfeit and inferior products, and false advertising by checking purchase ledgers, requiring certificates and invoices, supplier market entity registration certificates, and special cosmetic registration information.

Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region Medical Products Administration Issues 2026 Cosmetic Supervision and Inspection Plan

On March 18, 2026, the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region Medical Products Administration released the 2026 Regional Cosmetic Supervision and Inspection Plan. The plan requires routine inspections of registrants, filers, and production enterprises in the production segment, and organizing cause-based or special inspections of cosmetic production enterprises. In the operation and use segment, the focus is on children's cosmetics, special cosmetics, toothpaste, and imported cosmetics, while strengthening compliance inspections on online sales. The plan emphasizes implementing the "comprehensive inspection once" reform, utilizing the "scan-to-enter-enterprise" system and smart supervision means, strictly controlling inspection frequency, and reducing corporate burden. Annual tasks must in principle be completed by the end of November 2026.

About CIRS

The CIRS cosmetic team is dedicated to ensuring that cosmetic products meet stringent global regulatory standards. We are able to provide one-stop services covering the whole life-cycle of a personal care product, which includes cosmetic ingredient development, physical/chemical tests, toxicological tests (in vivo & in vitro), efficacy studies (in vivo & in vitro), ingredient registration, and product registration.

Our Services

• China Cosmetics Registration and Filing (including Taiwan)
• China New Cosmetic Ingredients Registration and Filing
• China Toothpaste Filing
• China Cosmetics Safety and Efficacy Test
• Being Domestic Responsible Person
• Safety Evaluation Report
• Cosmetic Ingredient Quality and Safety Info Code Application
• Formula/Label/Ingredient Review
• Regulatory Consulting/Reporting/Training
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