China Cosmetic Regulations & CSAR Compliance Updates 2025

Navigating China’s Evolving Cosmetics Regulations: What Brands Need to Know in 2025

China’s cosmetics market is booming, presenting massive opportunities for global beauty brands. But entering this high-growth landscape requires more than an innovative formula or a trending ingredient. As the world’s second-largest beauty market, China enforces rigorous and continually evolving regulations to protect consumer safety, ensure product quality, and increase transparency. For brands looking to expand, understanding these rules is critical for successful and sustainable market entry.

Key Regulatory Pillars Shaping China’s Cosmetics Framework

China’s cosmetic regulations are anchored in the Cosmetic Supervision and Administration Regulation (CSAR), which came into effect in 2021. CSAR transformed the regulatory landscape through clearer classifications, stricter technical requirements, and enhanced oversight.

CSAR’s Core Requirements Include:

• Product Classification:Cosmetics are categorized into general cosmetics and special cosmetics (e.g., sunscreens, whitening products, hair dyes), each with different compliance pathways.

• Registration or Notification:Special cosmetics require registration, while general cosmetics undergo notification before entering the market.

• Comprehensive Safety Assessments:Both raw materials and finished products must undergo safety evaluation to ensure consumer protection.

• Strict Labeling Standards:Labels must be accurate, compliant, and free from misleading claims or unverified benefits.

Regulatory oversight is led by the National Medical Products Administration (NMPA), with technical guidance and testing standards driven by the National Institutes for Food and Drug Control (NIFDC).

China’s 2025 Regulatory Updates: What’s New and What’s Changing

As of November 2025, several regulatory updates continue to influence how brands operate in China’s cosmetics market — especially imported brands navigating complex compliance demands.

1. Mandatory Full Safety Assessment Reports

Since May 1, 2025, registrants and notifiers must provide complete safety assessment reports that align with the latest technical specifications.This requirement applies to all cosmetic products, whether domestic or imported, and is now a permanent part of the compliance process.

2. New Testing Methods Under Public Consultation

The NIFDC has released several draft testing methods, including the In Vitro Mammalian Cells Chromosome Aberration Test.These draft methods aim to:

• Modernize China’s safety evaluation framework

• Reduce reliance on animal testing

• Align with global scientific standards

Brands may participate in the public consultation process through late 2025.

3. 34 Proposed Cosmetic Standards

China introduced 34 new proposed standards covering areas such as:

• Ingredient safety

• Toxicological evaluation

• Product testing protocols

Public feedback closed in August 2025, and phased implementation is expected to start in early 2026. Brands should begin preparing now to ensure future compliance.

4. Heightened Scrutiny on High-Risk Ingredients

China is tightening oversight on substances like:

• PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances)

• Formaldehyde and formaldehyde-releasing agents

Brands are encouraged to:

• Audit ingredient lists

• Reformulate where necessary

• Stay ahead of upcoming restrictions and potential bans

These actions reflect China’s broader goal of harmonizing with global safety expectations while protecting local consumers.

What These Regulatory Updates Mean for Brands

For both domestic and international brands, the message is clear:Compliance in China is not a one-time task—it’s an ongoing commitment.

To stay competitive, brands must:

• Continuously monitor regulatory updates and adjust product strategies accordingly

• Invest in comprehensive documentation, including safety assessments, ingredient data, and testing evidence

• Collaborate with experienced regulatory partners who understand China’s procedures and expectations

• Plan for extended timelines, especially for registration of special cosmetics

Those who operate proactively—not reactively—will be better positioned to succeed.

Final Thoughts

China’s cosmetics regulatory landscape is evolving rapidly. While these changes introduce greater complexity, they also present an opportunity for brands to differentiate themselves through quality, transparency, and safety. Companies that invest in robust compliance frameworks not only meet regulatory requirements but also build meaningful consumer trust in one of the world’s most influential beauty markets.

Whether you’re preparing to launch a new serum or scaling an established skincare line, mastering China’s regulatory environment is your passport to long-term success.

Partner with Freyr’s regulatory experts to simplify your China market access and keep your products compliant every step of the way.