On 20 April 2026 Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (MHLW) issued an administrative notice regarding the handling of cosmetics containing triheptanoin following its recent approval as an active pharmaceutical ingredient. The notice clarifies that, under Japan's cosmetics standards established pursuant to the Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Act, cosmetics are generally prohibited from containing pharmaceutical ingredients unless used solely as additives. With the approval of triheptanoin as a pharmaceutical ingredient on 23 March 2026, it now falls within this restriction framework. However, considering that requests had already been submitted to allow the use of triheptanoin in cosmetics under the established positive list procedure, the Ministry introduced a transitional regulatory approach. Cosmetics containing triheptanoin may continue to be manufactured and marketed temporarily, provided that the concentration does not exceed levels currently used in products already on the market at the time of the notice. Companies are required to ensure product safety under their own responsibility during this interim period.
Consumer News Region