Last week we had the pleasure of participating in the third annual CAFFCI Annual Meeting and Expo (CAME 2026), where this year there was a greater focus on value growth and not only scale growth.
Furthermore, the conference included talks on AI in cosmetics, Chinese herbal medicine technology moving from cultural confidence to technological self-reliance, the construction of global brand value, and “organized innovation” to attain an industrial value leap.
This year also marked an upgrade for CAME, as the first edition to be officially titled “China (International)”, reflecting the event’s growing international reach.
Opening ceremony
The opening ceremony was hosted by Dr. Yan Jiangying, focusing on a new strategy for China’s fragrance and cosmetics industry during the 15th Five-Year Plan.
China’s beauty brands must excel on the technological front, building hard-core moats through genuine R&D to get ahead in the world, as well as keeping up great innovative work. At the same time, Chinese beauty brands must uphold their integrity. What sets Chinese brands apart is a long history of Chinese medicine and beauty. These shared values should be promoted for prosperity across the industry.
- 1 trillion RMB. China’s cosmetics market has for the last three years exceeded 1 trillion RMB.
- Upholding long-termism. China has to keep pushing from a “major cosmetics manufacturing country” to a “strong cosmetics manufacturing country.”
China’s cosmetics market is upgrading nationally, whilst becoming more present globally.
Speakers and events
Throughout the conference we attended several events and forums. Even with AI leaders talking about a slowdown in AI, at CAME 2026 AI and technology were some of the most talked-about topics.
- AI empowerment. There was a huge focus on how AI is allowing for ever higher-quality inspection, intelligent production, and greater safety controls.
- Technology for good. Lan Zhenzhen from L’Oréal emphasized technology for good.
Technology and AI should be an important pillar to keep building on, making China’s beauty market stronger, while, as CHANDO highlighted, preserving Eastern aesthetics and environmental sustainability.
“Technology should serve beauty, not replace reality; it should serve value creation, not create illusions” – Lan Zhenzhen, L’Oréal.
Heritage and herbal medicine
Another key theme of CAME 2026 was how China’s long history can become a strength on the global market. CAFFCI and Renmin University of China launched a new research project on time-honoured fragrance and cosmetics brands, which will map how these brands have developed, evaluate their brand value, and look at how intangible cultural heritage can be used to tell their story to different consumers and markets. In the same spirit, the Chinese Herbal Medicine Technology and Cosmetics Application Forum focused on Chinese herbal medicine, which CAFFCI Chairwoman Yan Jiangying called a very important cultural symbol for Chinese cosmetics going global. However, the consensus was that culture alone is not enough. To succeed abroad, the industry must move from conceptual narrative to scientific evidence, backing up efficacy claims in a universal scientific language and building shared industry standards.
International cooperation, and ICCS at CAME 2026
International cooperation on safety was also on the agenda. CAFFCI, which joined the International Collaboration on Cosmetics Safety (ICCS) in June 2026, released the Chinese version of the ICCS Best Practice Guidance on Skin Sensitization Assessment, helping Chinese companies align with global regulatory requirements and animal-free safety assessment methods (NGRA/NAMs).
At CAME 2026, we also had the chance to discuss our group standard and the new Little Red Rabbit certification with ICCS, who showed strong interest in how the standard can be connected with Next Generation Risk Assessment (NGRA). While many alternatives to animal testing already exist, not all of them are yet available or accepted in China. For us, establishing NGRA and New Approach Methodologies (NAMs) on the ground in China is therefore key to making sure that the group standard and the Little Red Rabbit certification genuinely support Chinese brands, rather than creating new barriers where gaps remain. At the same time, the certification can help drive the further development of NGRA/NAMs methods in China.
How Knudsen&CRC can help
Whether you are a Chinese brand looking to go global or an international brand looking to enter the Chinese market, Knudsen&CRC can guide you through animal-free safety assessment and the Little Red Rabbit certification. Since 2012, Knudsen&CRC has worked with cosmetics, food, medical device and pet care brands on regulatory compliance in China, the EU and the UK. Contact us at info@knudsencrc.com.