On November 24, 2025, the Taiwan Food and Drug Administration (TFDA) under the Ministry of Health and Welfare officially issued the testing method for Sudan dyes in cosmetics (Method No. RA03D015.001), which came into effect upon the date of publication.

On November 6, 2025, Indonesia submitted notification G/TBT/N/IDN/160/Add.2 to the World Trade Organization (WTO), announcing the Draft Decree of the Minister of Religious Affairs Regarding Establishment of Harmonized System Codification of Types of Products that are Required to be Halal Certified in Food and Beverages. This draft decree proposes the establishment of a Harmonized System (HS) code list for products that are subject to mandatory halal certification. The draft is currently open for public consultation, with the comment period ending on November 30, 2025.

This article compiles and summarizes the latest developments in cosmetics regulations in China and globally as of October 2025, covering industry news, newly issued regulations, relevant policy adjustments, and regulatory requirements. It aims to assist enterprises in ensuring compliance and keeping up with global cosmetics regulatory trends.

China’s NMPA has issued 24 new measures to reform cosmetics regulation. Explore the key changes, impacts on innovation, registration, safety, and international alignment.

This article provides a consolidated overview of the relevant regulatory notices, supplemented by recent developments in regulatory enforcement activities-such as unannounced inspections and sampling inspections-conducted by the National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) and selected provincial and municipal authorities. The aim is to assist enterprises in staying informed of evolving regulatory trends and to reinforce awareness of quality management and compliance requirements.

In Part I of this series, we introduced the evaluation methods for dandruff, sebum levels, and itchiness. In this article (Part II), we focus on the evaluation methods for erythema, papules, pustules, and the overall hair status.

On October 31, 2025, the UK Government submitted notification G/TBT/N/GBR/107 to the World Trade Organization (WTO), announcing the draft Cosmetic Products (Restriction of Chemical Substances) Regulations 2026 and proposing amendments to the Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009. The draft proposes the prohibition of 4-Methylbenzylidene Camphor in cosmetic products, the banning of 16 CMR substances, and the tightening of the labelling requirements for formaldehyde-releasing substances. Stakeholders can accept feedback until December 30, 2025.

Recently, the Indonesian Food and Drug Authority (BPOM) issued an announcement revoking the distribution permits of 34 cosmetic products. The revocation was due to the presence of harmful and/or prohibited ingredients in these products, which may pose serious health risks to consumers.

On October 6, 2025, Health Canada announced an update to the Cosmetic Notification Form (CNF) and a revision of the Cosmetic Notification Guide.

On July 31, 2025, in order to further regulate and guide the research and evaluation of sunscreen cosmetics, the Cosmetic Supervision Department under China's National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) organized the National Institutes for Food and Drug Control (NIFDC) to draft two technical guidelines: the Technical Guidelines for the Research of Sunscreen Cosmetics (Trial) (Draft for Comments) and the Technical Guidelines for the Research on Quality Control Standards of Sunscreen Cosmetics (Trial) (Draft for Comments), along with their respective drafting instructions. These documents have been released to the public for consultation.