China introduces new labelling standards for personal care products to enhance transparency

CHINA – The China Association of Fragrance, Flavour, and Cosmetic Industries (CAFFCI), in collaboration with the European Union Chamber of Commerce in China, has released a standardized bilingual list of select fragrance ingredients.

This move helps multinational brands, regulators, and consumers better navigate cross-border compliance.

The list includes English translations of 81 ingredients originally listed in Chinese to enhance clarity by making ingredient information more accessible to a broader range of fragrance consumers.

The selected ingredients are based on Commission Regulation (EU) 2023/1545, which mandates disclosure on product labels in the EU when present above certain concentration thresholds.

The China-Europe collaboration supports broader efforts to harmonize regulations and reduce risks in the growing cross-border beauty e-commerce market.

Recently, China has strengthened its labelling regulations for disinfection products, introducing new rules that will affect personal care brands offering antibacterial and hygiene formulations in the market.

The State Administration for Market Regulation and the Standardization Administration of China have authorized an update to standard GB 38598-2020, detailing labelling requirements for disinfection products.

Effective May 1, 2025, both domestic and international brands are set to revise packaging and product details to ensure full regulatory compliance. 

The most significant change for the personal care industry is a mandatory warning label for antibacterial or bacteriostatic agents, which are commonly used in skin cleansers, hand sanitizers, and intimate care products.

According to new regulations, product labels must now feature a bold disclaimer stating, “This product is not a drug and does not have therapeutic, nursing, or health care functions”

In addition, the amendment reinforces existing regulations for intimate care products, ensuring that any product designed for genital mucosa clearly states it is not intended for the prevention of sexually transmitted diseases.

However, Products produced or imported before the amendment takes effect may continue to be sold until their shelf life expires, provided they adhere to previous regulatory standards.  

Meanwhile, in a similar move, Cosmed, a French cosmetics association, urged the personal care industry to adhere to clear regulatory frameworks to prevent greenwashing and misinformation amid growing consumer demand for ethical and sustainable products. 

The association warns that marketing terms like “clean,” “cruelty-free,” and “natural” are often misunderstood or misused, leading to misleading claims.

To ensure compliance, Cosmed calls on businesses to align with EU Regulation (EU) No 655/2013 and Directive (EU) 2024/825.

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