Reading China’s Cosmetics Regulations | The Cosmetics Supervision and Administration Regulation (CSAR) Enforced in 2021

So far, the EU Cosmetics Regulation and the U.S. MoCRA have been introduced. This time, we look at the rules in China, one of the world’s largest cosmetics markets.

A new regulation with 6 chapters and 80 articles

China’s Cosmetics Supervision and Administration Regulation (CSAR) was promulgated in June 2020 and came into force on January 1, 2021. Consisting of 6 chapters and 80 articles, it fully revised the basic rules for cosmetics for the first time in about 30 years. It is overseen by the National Medical Products Administration (NMPA).

Dividing cosmetics into “special” and “general” categories

A major feature of CSAR is that cosmetics are divided into two categories for management.

• Special cosmetics --Products intended for hair dyeing, perming, whitening (including categories for addressing dark spots), sun protection, prevention of hair loss, and those claiming new functions. These require “registration” with the authorities before launch.
• General cosmetics --All other cosmetics. A pre-launch “filing” is sufficient.

Registration certificates for special cosmetics registered from 2021 onward are said to be valid for 5 years. A system has also been established for new cosmetic ingredients, dividing them into registration or filing depending on the level of risk.

The Framework of the System
・Came into force on January 1, 2021; 6 chapters and 80 articles in total
・Special cosmetics require “registration,” while general cosmetics require “filing”
・The registrant or filing party that places the product on the market is responsible for quality and safety

Compared with Japan’s System

In Japan, cosmetics and quasi-drugs (medicated cosmetics) are legally separate categories (a note on categories). China’s “special cosmetics” do not correspond one-to-one with Japan’s categories. Even products with the same intended use may fall into different boxes depending on the country. Looking at each country’s system side by side helps reveal where differences in labeling and procedures come from.

References: National Medical Products Administration (NMPA); State Council of the People’s Republic of China, “Cosmetics Supervision and Administration Regulation”

—The Value Village Editorial Team