International Cosmetics Safety Assessment Data Index Has a Q&A published by NIFDC

International Cosmetics Safety Assessment Data Index has a Q&A released by The National Institutes for Food and Drug Control (NIFDC) on April 10, 2025. The document provides 2,879 usage entries for 999 cosmetic ingredients and aims to support international companies in reducing safety assessment costs, improving compliance with Chinese regulations, and streamlining market entry strategies. Businesses are encouraged to review how the updated reference data can be incorporated into their regulatory submissions for China.

Background and Purpose

On April 30, 2024, NIFDC released the "International Authoritative Cosmetics Safety Assessment Data Index" (renamed the "International Cosmetics Safety Assessment Data Index") and the "List of Ingredients in Marketed Products." These documents aim to help businesses collect and use existing ingredient safety data, reducing assessment costs. On February 9, 2025, the "List of Ingredients" was updated. Based on industry feedback, the NIFDC further organized ingredients in the "International Index" without assessment conclusions or with usage restrictions, combined with their use in registered cosmetics in China, resulting in the "Q&A on Ingredients in the International Cosmetics Safety Assessment Data Index."

Purpose:

Enrich data references: Providing comprehensive ingredient information, especially for those without assessment conclusions or with usage restrictions.
Reduce assessment costs: Sharing existing data and minimizing redundant evaluations.
Ensure compliance: Helping businesses adhere to China's cosmetic safety assessment regulations.

Core Content Analysis

What the "Q&A on Ingredients in the International Index" Provides: It includes 2,879 usage entries for 999 ingredients. These are high-frequency ingredients in registered Chinese cosmetics from the "International Index," which lists 3,651 ingredients without assessment conclusions or with usage restrictions.
Relationship with the "List of Ingredients": Both the "Q&A on Ingredients in the International Index" and the "List of Ingredients" objectively record ingredient usage in registered Chinese cosmetics and share the same reference principles. Companies can combine both to fully understand ingredient usage.
Correct Understanding and Use of the "Q&A on Ingredients in the International Index": Companies should conduct safety assessments in line with the "Cosmetics Supervision and Administration Regulations" and the "Cosmetics Safety Assessment Technical Guidelines (2021)," forming their own safety assessment reports. Data from the "Q&A on Ingredients in the International Index" can be referenced, but compliance with national laws and mandatory standards must be ensured.

Impact on International Companies and Response Strategies

Impact:

Data Reference: Companies can use the data to cut assessment costs and time.
Compliance Requirements: Ensure product assessments meet Chinese regulations, especially for ingredients without conclusions or with restrictions.
Market Entry: Offers crucial data support for international companies entering China, aiding smooth registration and filing.

Response Strategies:

Data Integration: Incorporate the data into safety assessment processes.
Compliance Review: Ensure ingredient usage meets Chinese regulations.
Professional Support: Collaborate with consulting firms for updated regulatory interpretations and compliance advice.

Regulatory Changes and Trend Analysis

Comparison with Existing Regulations:

The "Q&A on Ingredients in the International Index" supplements existing regulations, offering clearer guidance on data sharing and usage, with a focus on practicality and operability.

Regulatory Trends:
China's cosmetics regulation is trending towards:

Data-Driven: Increasing use of existing data in regulatory decisions.
Refined Management: More detailed and scientific safety assessments.
International Cooperation: Deepening collaboration with international bodies to promote global data sharing.

Further Information

To read the original announcement about the Q&A on the International Cosmetics Safety Assessment Data Index released by the National Institutes for Food and Drug Control (NIFDC), please click here.

If you are a cosmetics company with questions about how the updated data index or compliance requirements could affect your product registration in the China market, please contact Cisema.