Publication Date: 29 July 2026

To implement the “Opinions of the National Medical Products Administration on Deepening Cosmetic Regulatory Reform and Promoting High-Quality Development of the Industry” (NMPA Cosmetics [2025] No. 18), continuously advance the reform of cosmetic review and approval procedures, and promote the high-quality development of the cosmetics industry, the following announcement is issued regarding the optimisation of cosmetic registration and notification filing management.

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

In alignment with high-standard international economic and trade rules and to foster the first-launch economy in China's cosmetics sector, for international cosmetic new products that are launched for the first time in China, or launched simultaneously in China and other countries (regions), during product registration or notification filing, the registrant or filing person may submit a commitment statement confirming the first launch of the product in China.

Upon submission of such commitment statement, the registrant or filing person will be exempted from providing proof that the product has already been marketed in the country (region) of the registrant/filer or the country (region) of manufacture.

For such international new cosmetic products undergoing registration or filing in China, the sales packaging from the country (region) of manufacture may be submitted in the form of a design draft.

II. Exemption from Animal Testing Documentation for Certain Cosmetics

For the following products:

• Special cosmetics, including:
  • Hair perm products;
  • Non-oxidative hair dye products;
  • Anti-freckle and whitening products with only physical covering effects;
• Ordinary cosmetics using new cosmetic ingredients (excluding children's cosmetics);

If:

1. The manufacturing enterprise has 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
2. The product safety risk assessment results are sufficient to confirm product safety;

the product registration or filing process may be exempted from submitting toxicological testing reports.

Based on developments in scientific research, the cosmetic technical review department of the NMPA may adjust the scope of products eligible for animal testing exemption through the issuance of technical guidelines when appropriate.

III. Adjusting the Management of Cosmetic (Including Toothpaste) Raw Material Safety Information as Enterprise Records for Inspection

During product registration or notification filing:

• Registrants and filing persons are no longer required to complete raw material safety information documents or submit raw material reporting codes;
• They only need to provide the name of the raw material manufacturer.

Relevant documents shall be maintained by enterprises themselves for record-keeping and future inspection.

Where technical documents such as the Safety and Technical Standards for Cosmetics specify requirements for raw material quality specifications, registrants and filing persons shall submit:

• Raw material quality specifications; or
• Inspection reports;

within the product formulation section or safety assessment documentation.

The NMPA will no longer publicly disclose raw material reporting codes.

For products that have already completed registration or filing, if the raw material manufacturer, raw material quality specifications, or other relevant information is added or changed, updates or change applications shall be conducted according to the Administrative Provisions on Cosmetic Registration and Notification Filing Documentation.

IV. Optimising Safety Technical Documentation Requirements for Cosmetics (Including Toothpaste) with Similar Shared Formulation Systems

(1) Multiple products with similar formulation systems under the same registrant/filer

Where the same registrant or filing person intends to register or file multiple products under the same brand with similar formulation systems, the registrant or filing person may select one representative product and conduct:

• Microbiological and physicochemical testing;
• Toxicological testing;
• Human safety testing.

The representative product explanation and relevant testing reports shall be submitted.

For other products, the above testing reports may be shared, provided that:

• An explanation demonstrating formulation system similarity is submitted; and
• The scientific validity and rationality of sharing the testing reports are evaluated and confirmed.

(2) Similar formulation products manufactured at different production sites

Where similar formulation products are manufactured at different production sites:

• Representative products from each production site shall separately undergo microbiological and physicochemical testing;
• Corresponding microbiological and physicochemical testing reports shall be submitted during registration or filing.

Toxicological testing reports and human safety testing reports may be shared.

(3) Definition of products with similar formulation systems

Products with similar formulation systems refer to products where:

Except for differences in:

• Types and levels of colourants;
• Types and levels of fragrances;
• pH regulators;
• Polymer thickeners;
• Pearlising agents;
• Corresponding adjustments in solvents and fillers;

all other formulation ingredients, ingredient types and levels are identical, and the products have the same:

• Product dosage form; and
• Method of use.

Based on scientific developments, the NMPA cosmetic technical review department may adjust the scope of products recognised as having similar formulation systems through technical guidelines.

(4) Safety assessment

Registrants and filing persons may conduct safety assessments for:

• Raw materials;
• Risk substances;
• Product stability;
• Preservative efficacy;
• Packaging compatibility;

according to the assessment principles for similar products under the Technical Guidelines for Cosmetic Safety Assessment.

V. Simplifying Registration and Filing Documentation Requirements for Cosmetics (Including Toothpaste) with Changed Manufacturing Sites

For:

1. Registered imported products that are transferred to domestic production or have additional domestic manufacturers; or
2. Registered domestic products that are transferred to overseas production or have additional overseas manufacturers;

where:

• The registrant/filer remains unchanged;
• Product name remains unchanged;
• Product formulation remains unchanged; and
• The implemented standards have not undergone substantive changes;

the registrant or filing person may share:

• Toxicological testing reports;
• Human safety testing reports;
• Safety assessment reports;
• Efficacy evaluation reports;

during registration or filing.

However, the following shall be newly conducted and submitted:

• Microbiological testing;
• Physicochemical testing reports.

The original product registration certificate or notification filing certificate shall also be submitted.

VI. Expanding the Scope of Accepted Test Methods for Cosmetic Efficacy Claims Evaluation

Except for the following efficacy claims:

• Anti-freckle and whitening;
• Sunscreen;
• Anti-hair loss;

for other cosmetic efficacy claims, where sufficient scientific evidence is available, registrants and filing persons may independently select:

• Industry standards;
• International standards;
• Technical guidelines; or
• Validated enterprise-developed methods;

to conduct efficacy claim evaluation testing.

VII. Accepting Shared Efficacy Claim Evaluation Test Data for Cosmetics with Similar Formulation Systems

(1) Sharing efficacy evaluation data among similar products

Where the same registrant or filing person intends to register or file multiple products under the same brand with similar formulation systems:

The registrant or filing person may select one representative product to conduct efficacy claim evaluation testing.

For other products:

• The efficacy claim evaluation test data may be shared;
• An equivalence evaluation shall be conducted to confirm the scientific validity and rationality of sharing such data.

When publishing summaries of efficacy claim evaluation materials according to regulatory requirements, information regarding shared efficacy evaluation data shall be disclosed.

(2) Documentation retention requirements

The following documents shall be maintained by enterprises for record-keeping and inspection:

• Efficacy claim evaluation test reports;
• Similar formulation system explanations;
• Equivalence evaluation documents.

For products involving:

• Anti-freckle and whitening claims;
• Sunscreen claims;
• Anti-hair loss claims;

the registrant shall submit efficacy claim evaluation documentation and similar formulation system explanations during product registration.

(3) Definition of similar formulation system products for efficacy evaluation

Products with similar formulation systems refer to products where:

Except for differences in:

• Colourants;
• Fragrances;
• Preservatives;
• pH regulators;
• Polymer thickeners;
• Pearlising agents;
• Corresponding adjustments in solvents and fillers;

all other formulation ingredients, ingredient types and levels are identical, and the products have the same:

• Product dosage form; and
• Method of use.

Based on scientific developments, the NMPA cosmetic technical review department may adjust the scope of products recognised as having similar formulation systems through technical guidelines.

VIII. Simplifying Documentation Requirements for Changes of Domestic Responsible Person for Cosmetics (Including Toothpaste)

Where the domestic responsible person of a product is changed, it is no longer necessary to submit:

• A consent letter signed and stamped by the original domestic responsible person agreeing to the replacement;
• Court judgment documents proving that the change of domestic responsible person has taken effect.

Only the following documents are required:

1. Original domestic responsible person authorisation letter and original notarisation certificate;
2. Product list for which the domestic responsible person is proposed to be changed;
3. Commitment letter from the proposed domestic responsible person confirming responsibility for all obligations of the original domestic responsible person for the products, including products already marketed before the change.

This Announcement shall take effect from the date of publication.

Where previous documents issued by the NMPA concerning cosmetic registration and notification filing are inconsistent with this Announcement, this Announcement shall prevail.

Hereby announced.

National Medical Products Administration (NMPA)
28 July 2026

Reference

https://www.nmpa.gov.cn/xxgk/ggtg/hzhpggtg/jmhzhptg/20260729115807198.html?type=pc&m=