Recently NMPA introduced Administrative Measures on Cosmetics Labelling, which came into effect on the 1st of May, 2022. This regulation specifies the mandatory information that needs to be displayed on cosmetics labels in China and the detailed requirements for each item. With this regulation, cosmetics brands have already taken measures to comply and understand that China’s regulations can change rapidly and have serious implications for their operations.
The new regulation requires all product registered before May 1st, 2022 to update the labels according to this regulation before May 1st, 2023. It also specifies that all ingredients in the formula that do not exceed 0.1% (w/w) should be labelled with “other trace ingredients” and may not be listed in the descending order of ingredient content. This means that the actual amount of active ingredients added will be clearly visible to consumers, thus preventing exaggerated claims.
Another important implication of this regulation is the information declaration of PAO (Period After Opening). According to Article 6, the contents of product safety and efficacy declared on the Chinese label should be consistent with the ones of the original packaging. This means that if there is the symbol of PAO (Period After Opening) marked on the original packaging, then it is also required to explain the PAO in Chinese on the Chinese label.
In order to comply with this new regulation, cosmetic businesses should firstly confirm the product information on the original packaging and make sure it is compliant with China regulations. Secondly, they should prepare the Chinese label accordingly, to make sure all of the information is consistent and compliant. It is also important to note that all of the information related to cosmetics product safety and efficacy will be monitored more strictly in the future, and cosmetics brands must therefore pay more attention to the labelling compliance.
Overall, the new regulations on cosmetics labelling in China bring an increased level of transparency for consumers while posing new challenges for cosmetic businesses. Companies must stay informed about the dynamic regulatory environment in China and take the necessary steps to ensure compliance.