China increases test requirements for cosmetics with sunscreen agents

China increases test requirements for cosmetics with sunscreen agents
As of September 10, the National Medical Products Administration in China requires additional testing for beauty products containing sunscreen agents.
The new rules call for manufacturers to test for skin phototoxicity & sensitisation in any newly registered cosmetics containing chemical UV filters.
Supplementary testing reports will need to be submitted upon licence renewal for already tested products. Third-party testing facilities in China can conduct the tests & an online system for companies to apply for these services is available from November 1.
Companies will be required to test for skin phototoxicity and sensitisation – in addition to the currently required toxicological tests – on all ‘general’ or ‘non-special use’ cosmetics containing chemical sunscreen agents in volumes of ≥0.5% by weight.
General use cosmetics are defined as those that do not contain high-risk ingredients. They will also have to carry out a sun protection factor (SPF) test for these products; previously this was only for products claiming such qualities.
The new specifications also allow third-party testing institutions to conduct these tests in China, however, they must first register with the NMPA, and receive the China Metrology Accreditation (CMA) certification in the field of cosmetics.
With expansion of China’s domestic market, Chinese consumers and distributors are increasingly concerned about cosmetic product quality and conformity with related national and industry standards. Many companies even established their own safety requirements and quality criteria. To help the customers ensure that their products not only comply with related standards, but also improve their competitive advantage and gain consumer confidence, Intertek offers cosmetic testing services according to the light industry standards.
As an all-natural, mineral UV filter MicNo® could provide the perfect alternative to chemical UV filters that would require potentially costly & time-consuming extra testing.
To find out more about these changes in regulation check out the Chemical Watch report.