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On June 10, 2026, South Korea MFDS published the "Guide for Preparation of Cosmetic Safety Assessment Documentation" , providing guidance for cosmetic responsible distributors on preparing safety assessment documentation.

On May 29, 2026, China’s National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) released eight testing methods to be incorporated into the corresponding chapters of the Safety and Technical Standards for Cosmetics (2015 Edition).

On April 20, 2026, the Korea Cosmetic Association (KCIA) issued Notice No. 4-161, forwarding document No. 2757 from the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) Cosmetic Policy Division. The notice announces a legislative proposal initiated by Representative Baek Jong-heon to partially amend the Cosmetics Act, and invites public comments. The core objectives of the proposed amendment are to strengthen regulatory measures against the sale of "IP-infringing cosmetics" and to establish an export support mechanism. The KCIA feedback deadline is April 23, 2026.

On April 13, 2026, China’s National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) carried out the fourth dynamic adjustment to the Inventory of Existing Cosmetic Ingredients in China, involving a total of 50 records. For certain ingredients revised in IECIC I, the updated names differ from those currently listed in the EU Cosmetic Ingredient Catalogue ((EU) 2025/1175) and the US INCI database.

Health Canada is implementing new regulations that will require cosmetic manufacturers to disclose specific fragrance allergens directly on product labels, marking a shift from current practices that allow fragrance ingredients to be listed collectively under "parfum" or "fragrance."

In the cosmetics industry, INCI names and CAS numbers are regarded as the "birth certificates" for new ingredients. These identifiers not only establish the identity of the ingredients but also facilitate their recognition and communication in the global market. This article explores the definitions, application processes, and international market applications of INCI names and CAS numbers, aiming to help cosmetic companies better understand their significance.

Starting March 1, 2026, a total of 12 cosmetic testing methods will be officially implemented in China. CIRS Group has summarized them for reference.

In February 2026, the National Medical Products Administration, along with the Medical Products Administrations of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Hunan Province, and Beijing, issued announcements regarding cosmetic supervision and sampling inspections. A total of 71 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.

This article compiles and summarizes the latest developments in cosmetics regulations as of January 2026, including domestic China industry news, newly issued regulations, updates to relevant standards and policies, and regulatory requirements, as well as global regulatory trends in the cosmetics sector. It aims to assist enterprises in ensuring compliance and keeping up with global cosmetics regulatory trends.

Based on data retrieved from China’s National Medical Products Administration (NMPA), seven new cosmetic ingredients have been filed between February 1 and 5, 2026. Detailed information is provided in the table below. At present, the associated technical specifications have not been made public, and the ingredient has not yet entered the post-filing monitoring period. As of now in 2026, a total of 26 new cosmetic ingredients have been filed.