Legal basis

of Chinese law on cosmetics

Cosmetic Supervision and Administration Regulation (CSAR)

Cosmetic Supervision and Administration Regulation

published29/06/2020
took effect on01/01/2021

Cosmetic Supervision and Administration Regulation

The CSAR took effect on 1st January 2021 and replaced the outdated “Cosmetic Hygiene Supervision Regulation” (CHSR), which was implemented in 1990. CSAR is the most important regulation in the Chinese cosmetics industry. 

The CSAR consists of 6 chapters with 80 clauses (compared with only 34 clauses of CHSR). The themes include:

  1. General Principles (10 clauses)
    NMPA – competent authority, definition of cosmetics, classification of raw materials, legal responsibilities of notifier/registrant, etc.
  2. Cosmetic Raw Materials and Cosmetic Products (15 clauses)
    Classification of cosmetic products, qualifications of notifier/registrant, required dossiers for notification/registration of cosmetic products and raw materials, etc.
  3. Production and Sales (20 clauses)
    Production license, production quality management, qualification of head of QC, Chinese labelling, efficacy claims, sales and operation management, etc.
  4. Supervision and Management (13 clauses)
    Monitoring and evaluation system for adverse reaction of cosmetics, safety risk monitoring and evaluation system for cosmetics, etc.
  5. Legal Liability (18 clauses)
    Penalties based on different kinds of offences
  6. Supplementary Articles (4 clauses)
    Regulations for toothpaste and soap

Legal specifications

Administrative Measures on Cosmetics Inspection

published26/04/2024
took effect on01/11/2024

Supervision and Administration Measures on Online Operation of Cosmetics

published04/04/2023
took effect on09/01/2023

Administrative Measures on Toothpaste

published23/03/2023
took effect on01/12/72023

Administrative Measures on Internet Advertising

published20/03/2023
took effect on01/05/2023

Measures for Management of Cosmetics Sample Testing

published01/12/2023
took effect on01/03/2023

Measures for Management of Cosmetics Adverse Reaction Monitoring

published21/02/2022
took effect on01/10/2022

Supervision and Administration Measures on Cosmetics Manufacture and Operation

published2021/08/06
took effect on01/01/2022

Administrative Measures on Cosmetics Labelling

published03/06/2021
took effect on01/05/2022

Administrative Measures on Cosmetic Registration and Notification

published01/12/2021
took effect on05/01/2021

Import and export cosmetics inspection and quarantine supervision and management measures

took effect on01/02/2012

Guidelines

Provisions for Management of Toothpaste Notification Dossiers

published11/22/2023
took effect on01/12/2023

Regulations on Supervision and Administration of Enterprises in Implementing Entity Responsibility for Cosmetics Quality and Safety

published29/12/2022
took effect on03/01/2023

Safety and Technical Standards for Cosmetics (2022 draft)

published31/03/2022
takes /took effect on/

Good Manufacturing Practices for Cosmetics

published01/07/2022
took effect on01/07/2022

Supervision and Administration Provisions on Children Cosmetics

published08/10/2021
took effect on01/01/2022

Working Rules for Management of Cosmetics Supplementary Testing Methods

published28/04/2021
took effect on01/07/2021

Standards for Cosmetics Efficacy Claim Evaluation

published09/04/2021
took effect on01/05/2021

Provisions for Management of Cosmetic Registration and Notification Dossiers

published04/03/2021
took effect on01/05/2021

Provisions for Management of New Cosmetic Ingredients Registration and Notification Dossiers

published03/04/2021
took effect on01/05/2021

Interim Provisions on Administration of Cosmetics Overseas Inspection (draft)

published22/11/2019
took effect on/

Working Rules for Cosmetics Registration and Filing Testing

published10/09/2019
took effect on10/09/2019

Requirements for Sunscreens Labelling

published01/06/2016
took effect on01/06/2016

Safety and Technical Standards for Cosmetics (2015)

published23/12/2015
took effect on01/12/2016

Administrative Provisions on Cosmetics

published20/05/2008
took effect on01/09/2008

Other important lists and regulations

Ingredient Usage Information of Market Products

published30/04/2024
took effect on30/04/2024

Inventory of Prohibited Ingredients for Cosmetics

published28/05/2021
took effect on28/05/2021

Inventory of Prohibited Plant (Animal) Ingredients for Cosmetics

published28/05/2021
took effect on28/05/2021

Rules and Catalogues of Cosmetic Classification

published09/04/2021
took effect on01/05/2021

Inventory of Existing Cosmetic Ingredients (2021)

published30/01/2021
took effect on01/05/2021

Guides

Technical Guidelines for Identification and Assessment of Cosmetics Risk Substances

published30/08/2024
takes /took effect on30/08/2024

Technical Guidelines for Compatibility Testing and Assessment of Cosmetics with Packaging Materials

published08/07/2024
took effect on08/07/2024

Technical Guidelines for the Assessment of Cosmetic Preservative Challenge Tests

published08/07/2024
took effect on08/07/2024

Guidelines for Submission of Cosmetics Safety Assessment Dossiers

published30/04/2024
took effect on30/04/2024

Guidelines for Use of Cosmetic Ingredient Data

published30/04/2024
took effect on30/04/2024

Technical Guidelines for Children Cosmetics

published31/08/2023
took effect on31/08/2023

Inspection Points and Judgement Principles of Cosmetic Good Manufacturing Practices

published25/10/2022
took effect on01/12/2022

Technical Guidance for Submission of Cosmetics Registration and Notification Dossiers (Trial)

published25/04/2021
took effect on25/04/2021

Technical Guidelines for Cosmetic Safety Assessment

published09/04/2021
took effect on01/05/2021

Enforcement Guidance on Absolute Terms in Advertising

published20/03/2020
took effect on20/03/2020

Guidance on Application and Review of Children’s Cosmetics

published12/10/2012
took effect on01/02/2013

Guidance on Application and Review of New Cosmetic Raw Materials

published12/05/2011
took effect on01/07/2011

Guide for Technical Review of Cosmetics

published29/09/2010
took effect on29/09/2010

Key Points for Technical Review of Cosmetics

published29/09/2010
took effect on29/09/2010
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