China mandates strict new safety rules for cosmetics

CHINA – China has introduced its first mandatory national safety standard for cosmetics, marking a significant regulatory upgrade from hygiene-focused rules to a comprehensive safety framework that will take effect on January 1, 2028. 

The new standard, titled Cosmetics – General Safety Requirements (GB 7916—2026), was approved on August 6, 2026, by the State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR) and the Standardization Administration of China (SAC), and drafted by the National Medical Products Administration (NMPA). 

It replaces the 1987 Hygienic Standard for Cosmetics, consolidating fragmented requirements into a unified, legally binding benchmark aligned with international best practices. 

The standard forms the core of China’s “one body, two wings” regulatory architecture, with GB 7916-2026 serving as the main body, supported by the Safety and Technical Standards for Cosmetics and industry standards as the two wings. 

This structure is designed to safeguard public health, advance the “Healthy China” and “Quality Powerhouse” national strategies, and bring China’s cosmetics oversight closer to the EU Cosmetics Regulation (EC No 1223/2009) and ISO standards. 

The move comes as China’s cosmetics market has expanded dramatically, with the number of production enterprises rising from around 70 in 1980 to over 6,000 in 2026, and the market size surpassing ¥1.1 trillion (USD 2163 billion) in 2025, making it the world’s largest beauty consumer market.

The standard sets explicit thresholds for microbial contamination, aligning with ISO 17516:2014 while introducing stricter controls for high-risk products. 

Total aerobic microbial counts are capped at ≤1,000 CFU/g(mL) for general cosmetics and ≤100 CFU/g(mL) for children’s cosmetics (ages 12 and under) and products applied to sensitive areas such as the eyes, eyelashes, and lips. 

Mold and yeast limits are set at ≤100 CFU/g(mL) across all categories. Thermotolerant coliforms, Staphylococcus aureus, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa are prohibited entirely (non-detectable). 

GB 7916-2026 establishes maximum limits for eight major harmful impurities, including lead (≤10 mg/kg), mercury (≤1 mg/kg), arsenic (≤2 mg/kg), and cadmium (≤5 mg/kg). The standard also imposes explicit limits or zero-tolerance “non-detectable” rules for high-risk substances such as methanol, 1,4-dioxane, asbestos, and benzene. 

Where raw materials may introduce these substances, manufacturers must ensure product limits are met; products without such raw materials may be subject to more targeted testing. 

The standard adopts a scientifically grounded definition of prohibited substances, classifying them as materials that must not be intentionally added as cosmetic raw materials. 

However, it recognizes that trace amounts may be unavoidable due to processing impurities or raw material origins. In such cases, manufacturers must comply with national regulatory limits where they exist. 

Where no limit is specified, a comprehensive safety risk assessment is required to confirm that trace presence poses no health risk to consumers. 

This approach aligns closely with EU regulations and aims to prevent misinterpretation of trace detections as automatic violations. 

Children’s cosmetics (for ages 12 and under) face the strictest requirements, extending protections beyond the under-3 age group specified in ISO standards. 

In addition to tighter microbial caps, formulations must adhere to principles of safety priority, essential efficacy, and minimalist composition. 

Packaging must prominently display China’s official “Little Golden Shield” children’s cosmetic logo, and products must satisfy both GB 7916-2026 and existing regulations governing child cosmetic safety evaluations, production, and labelling. 

Regulatory experts note that the numerical limits for microbes and heavy metals largely align with China’s 2015 Technical Safety Standard for Cosmetics, meaning compliant companies already operating under existing guidelines will face minimal disruption. 

The primary shift is legal and structural: upgrading previously dispersed technical specifications into a unified, mandatory national standard creates a single, enforceable baseline for all market participants. 

The new framework is expected to strengthen consumer protection, eliminate compliance gray areas, and reward manufacturers with robust quality assurance systems. 

Companies that proactively adapt to the mandatory national standards will be best positioned for long-term growth in China’s increasingly standardized regulatory environment. 

Conversely, manufacturers with weak quality management will face heightened pressure as enforcement tightens.

Sign up to receive our email newsletters with the latest news updates and insights from Africa and the World HERE.