China publishes Regulations on Children’s Cosmetics 
China’s National Medical Products Administration released “Regulations on the Supervision and Administration of Children’s Cosmetics” on September 30, 2021. The regulations will take effect on January 1, 2022 (except for labeling requirements). The regulations, which are China’s first legal document on children’s cosmetics, set out labeling, production and handling management requirements. A summary is as follows.
Definitions
Children’s cosmetics: Cosmetics that are used for children under 12 years old and have the following properties:
cleansing, moisturizing, stickiness control, sun protection, etc. (Children’s toothpaste shall also be managed with reference to the regulations.)
Products that imply that children can also use the product by using words such as “can be used by anyone” or “can be used by the whole family”, trademarks, diagrams, etc. shall be managed as children’s cosmetics.
Labeling requirements
Product packages should be labeled with the “Children’s Cosmetic Label” as stipulated by National Medical Products Administration (to be announced).
Warning signs such as “Use under adult supervision” should be marked.
“Food-grade”, “edible”, or food-related designs should not be indicated on the label.
Provisions on label renewal
After May 1, 2022, children’s cosmetics that are newly registered or notified shall be labeled in accordance with requirements of the regulations.
For children’s cosmetics that have been registered or notified by May 1, 2022 and have not yet been labeled in accordance with requirements of the regulations, label updates shall be completed by May 1, 2023.
Safety assessment
Safety assessment and necessary toxicity testing should be conducted for children’s cosmetics.
When safety assessment is conducted by the registrant or notifier of child cosmetics, the children’s physiological characteristics such as hazard and exposure calculations should be taken into account.
Handling requirements
Handlers should establish check record system for incoming products and check the product supplier’s registration certificate, cosmetic registration and notification information, children’s cosmetics label, product quality inspection certificate and related evidence documents.
When handling children’s cosmetics on e-commerce platforms, the website should accurately disclose the cosmetics label information that matches the registration and notification data of the cosmetics, and continuously show the children’s cosmetics label in a prominent place on the product listing page.
The original text of the above regulations can be viewed at the following URL (in simplified Chinese).
https://www.nmpa.gov.cn/xxgk/ggtg/qtggtg/20211008171226187.html
