National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) of China published the final version of the Cosmetic Supervision and Administration Registration Regulation (CSAR), which is expected to be come into effect from January 1, 2021. The update was mainly to aim at maintaining the safety and efficacy of cosmetics to safeguard the consumers’ health. The new CSAR replaces the Cosmetics Hygiene Supervision Regulations (CHSR), which implemented in 1990.

CSAR - Key Aspects:

• Entire responsibility of efficacy claims will be on the cosmetic manufacturers once the new regulations come into effect. All claims must be backed by a scientific basis and the manufacturers must publish relevant data on the NMPA's website for public consumption. 
• Cosmetic companies must abide by the laws, regulations, national standards, exercise integrity, and self-discipline to ensure quality, safety, and efficacy of cosmetics.
• There is a change in the classification of cosmetics as special use cosmetics and general cosmetics. (Previously classified as special use and non-special use cosmetics respectively)
• The scope of cosmetics has been extended to make space for oral care products and general cosmetics.
• Cosmetic ingredients will soon be regulated based on the risk factor. Ingredients with a high-risk factor must be registered and approved by the NMPA, while the low- risk ones must be subjected to filing management. Hence, the enterprises must declare the ingredients, preparation materials, and perform the risk assessment.

As the CSAR is released to ensure the safety and efficacy of cosmetics, manufacturers are advised to decode and practice the regulations as quick as possible and adopt the procedural best practices for end-to-end compliance. We presume, all that you may require at this point is a proven regional Regulatory expertise in the field of cosmetics. Stay informed. Stay compliant.