China’s first mandatory national standard for cosmetics, “General Safety Requirements for Cosmetics,” has been officially released.

                              China’s first mandatory national standard for cosmetics, “General Safety Requirements for Cosmetics,” has been officially released.

On August 6, the National Medical Products Administration issued the first mandatory national standard for cosmetics, “General Safety Requirements for Cosmetics,” marking a comprehensive shift in China’s cosmetic standards from “hygiene standards” to “safety standards.” This landmark regulation will officially take effect on January 1, 2028, at which time China’s “Cosmetic Hygiene Standard,” promulgated in 1987, will be simultaneously repealed.

Key takeaways:

The new national standard implements categorized limit management for total plate count, setting two control thresholds: no more than 1,000 colony-forming units per gram or milliliter, or no more than 100 colony-forming units per gram or milliliter.

Among these, cosmetics for children aged 12 and under are subject to the strictest “100 colony‑forming units” limit, which, compared with the ISO international standard that applies only to children under 3, offers broader protection and more stringent requirements.

Meanwhile, thermotolerant coliforms, Staphylococcus aureus, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa must not be detected.

The new standard systematically specifies maximum permissible limits for eight hazardous substances, with residual levels of lead, arsenic, mercury, cadmium, and others capped at 1 to 10 milligrams per kilogram of product.

Experts note that ISO international standards only specify testing methods and do not set limit values, whereas China’s new standard provides a basis for direct determination, placing it at the forefront internationally.

The safety of cosmetics for children is the top priority in the revision of the new standard. For products intended for children under 12—such as cleansers, moisturizers, and sunscreens—the new standard has comprehensively tightened hygiene criteria, making them ten times stricter than those for ordinary cosmetics.

The National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) emphasizes that children’s cosmetics must also comply with the current “Regulations on the Supervision and Administration of Children’s Cosmetics,” adhere to the principles of “safety first, efficacy essential, and formulation minimal,” and bear the “Little Golden Shield” label.

Industry Impact and the Transition Period

Data show that by 2025, China’s cosmetics industry will have surpassed RMB 1.1 trillion in market size, with the number of manufacturers soaring from just over 70 in 1980 to more than 6,000 by 2026, making China the world’s largest beauty‑consumption market. The new national standard, based on the Regulations on the Supervision and Administration of Cosmetics, sets mandatory safety requirements across the entire supply chain for both cosmetic ingredients and finished products. Cosmetics that were already manufactured or imported prior to the standard’s implementation may continue to be sold until their expiration dates.

About Us

      Shandong Zhonghuan Zhongjie Biotechnology Co., Ltd. Utilizing domestically leading production equipment and mature, advanced manufacturing processes, the company has established two specialized pharmaceutical excipient production lines that comply with GMP standards. Upholding the principle that “product quality is the lifeblood of the enterprise,” the company rigorously adheres to GMP quality‑management regulations and has obtained certification under the three‑system management framework, ensuring that product quality and safety meet the highest domestic standards.

The company’s flagship product Hydroxypropyl cyclodextrin 、 Water-soluble salicylic acid 、 Water-soluble azelaic acid These and other raw materials are widely used in the cosmetics industry, and we have established stable partnerships with numerous leading domestic cosmetic ingredient suppliers. Our marketed products have received widespread acclaim from the market.