China NIFDC’s 2024 Annual Cosmetics Review Report: Key Registration & Filing Trends

China’s “2024 Annual Cosmetics Review Report”—released by the National Institutes for Food and Drug Control (NIFDC)—offers one of the clearest pictures yet of an expanding and increasingly sophisticated cosmetics regulatory landscape.

From special cosmetics registrations to general filing, the 2024 data reflect rapid growth in registration volumes and sustained demand for functional products.

Key national figures for 2024:

23,994 special cosmetics registration applications (+64.2% year-on-year)
22,812 approved special cosmetics registrations (+101.1% year-on-year)
596,306 general cosmetics filings
7,776 toothpaste filings
90 new cosmetic ingredients announced for filing

Keep reading for the key regulatory and market trends, or explore Cisema’s services today for expert support in navigating China’s cosmetics requirements.

2024 Annual Cosmetics Review Report Context

2024 marked another significant step forward in China’s efforts to strengthen the regulatory foundation established under the Cosmetics Supervision and Administration Regulation (CSAR).

During the year, the NIFDC advanced its review system reform by launching the dedicated Cosmetics Ingredient Review Division and publishing 61 new technical Q&As, providing companies with clearer and more consistent guidance.

Safety assessment capabilities were also enhanced as regulators issued 11 new technical documents and released ingredient usage information covering nearly 90% of the IECIC.

Standards development also accelerated. The newly formed NMPA Cosmetics Standardization Technical Committee, together with its eight subcommittees, supported NMPA applications to the Standardization Administration of China to initiate or revise four mandatory national standards—laying a more robust and predictable technical foundation for the industry.

As a result, the 2024 Report portrays a regulatory environment that is not only increasing in volume but also becoming more structured and predictable for both domestic and international stakeholders.

2024 Annual Cosmetics Review Report

The following sections highlight the key developments across special cosmetics, general cosmetics filings, new ingredient innovation, and toothpaste regulation.

Trends in Imported Special Cosmetics

Imported special cosmetic products continued to gain approvals in 2024, supported by consistent demand for functional formulations. Key activity included:

2,089 registration applications accepted (8.7% of total applications)
2,195 approvals issued (9.6% of total approvals)
Top initial-approval countries: Japan, South Korea, France, the United States, Germany (86.9% of imported special cosmetics)

Three categories dominated registrations:

Hair dyes: 40.7%
Whitening and spot-removal products: 26.8%
Sunscreens: 12.5%

This indicates continued strong consumer demand for functional cosmetics, providing clear market direction for overseas companies.

Trends in Imported General Cosmetics

Imported general cosmetics also maintained momentum in 2024:

13,060 imported general cosmetics were filed (2.2% of all filings)
Products came from 45 countries and regions
Top five sources: South Korea, France, the United States, Japan, and Italy—together accounting for 70.2% of imported filings

Efficacy claims for imported general cosmetics showed clear trends:

Moisturising: 61.0%
Beauty modification: 26.4%
Fragrance: 21.6%

The higher proportion of fragrance claims among imported products suggests that global brands continue to emphasise sensory experience and premium positioning —differentiating them from many domestic manufacturers.

Expanding Opportunities in New Ingredient Filings

New cosmetic ingredients remained a focal point of regulatory innovation. In 2024 alone, 90 new ingredients were announced.

Between 2021 and 2024, the total reached 207, comprising:

164 domestic ingredients
41 imported ingredients
2 ingredients from Taiwan

Imported new ingredients primarily originated from the United States, Japan, Switzerland, Italy, and Germany. China’s open attitude toward new ingredients enables foreign suppliers to introduce advanced technologies and gain early entry advantages.

Overview of Toothpaste Registration

With toothpaste now regulated under the cosmetics framework, filing activity remained robust as companies adjusted to stricter requirements for safety assessments, labelling, and testing.

In 2024:

7,776 toothpaste filings were recorded
7,503 were domestic (96.5%)
246 were imported (3.2%)
Imported products came from 17 countries and regions

South Korea, the United States, Japan, Thailand, and Switzerland together accounted for nearly half of all imported filings (49.2%), showing strong engagement from established global toothpaste brands.

Recommended Actions for Overseas Manufacturers

As China’s regulatory environment becomes more structured and innovation-driven, the insights from the 2024 Report offer valuable direction for overseas manufacturers. To stay competitive and ensure timely market access, companies should proactively refine their regulatory approaches and build capabilities that align with China’s evolving expectations.

Stay Ahead of Regulatory Updates

A fast-moving regulatory landscape requires equally agile preparation. Continuous monitoring of technical standards, updated Q&As, and new testing methods allows companies to anticipate changes rather than react to them. Manufacturers that embed regulatory awareness into R&D and product planning from the start are far better positioned to navigate reviews smoothly and avoid costly reformulations or delays.

Strengthen Registration and Filing Strategies

Well-prepared dossiers, robust safety data, and aligned efficacy claims remain critical for smooth approvals. Leveraging insights from filing trends also enables companies to shape product portfolios that match consumer preferences while aligning with regulatory expectations, improving both compliance success and market positioning.

Utilize Regulatory Communication Mechanisms

Early engagement with regulators remains valuable, especially for new ingredients or technically complex submissions. By engaging early through NMPA communication channels, reviewing published Q&As, and following technical guidance, companies can clarify requirements in advance and ensure that their submissions are accurate and complete.

Final Thoughts

The NIFDC's 2024 Annual Cosmetics Review Report reflects a market that is both maturing and rich with opportunity. As regulatory standards continue to tighten, leveraging NMPA communication channels, Q&As, and technical guidance helps reduce uncertainty and ensure accurate, complete submissions.

Against this backdrop, Cisema provides the specialised support overseas manufacturers need to enter and grow in the Chinese market. Our end-to-end regulatory services—including cosmetics registration and filing submissions, product quality and safety management system support, and post-market services—help companies navigate China’s cosmetics regulatory landscape and stay fully aligned with China’s fast-moving regulatory landscape.

Get in touch today to discuss how Cisema can support your China market ambitions.