For the First Time! China Regulates Legally and Compliance Operation for Cosmetics Companies

Zhejiang Medical Products Administration launched the 2023 Cosmetic Safety Publicity Week and issue the Zhejiang Province Cosmetic Business Sector Responsible Entity Implementation Guide to guide cosmetic business units on how to operate cosmetics legally and in compliance.

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On May 23, the Zhejiang Medical Products Administration officially launched the 2023 Cosmetic Safety Publicity Week. At the launch ceremony, the administration also held the premiere ceremony for the Zhejiang Province Cosmetic Business Sector Responsible Entity Implementation Guide (hereinafter referred to as the "Guide").

Wu Hui, director of the Cosmetics Supervision and Administration Department of the Zhejiang Medical Products Administration, introduced that the theme of this year's event is "Safe Use of Cosmetics". The focus is on companies implementing their primary responsibility for quality and safety. Therefore, the Guide was compiled and had its national premiere. The Guide consists of five volumes, compiled according to different subjects, to guide cosmetic business units on how to operate cosmetics legally and in compliance and protect consumers' rights and interests.

It is understood that the Guide is divided into five major categories of subjects according to the Cosmetic Supervision and Administration Regulation: cosmetic operators, e-commerce platform operators for cosmetics, cosmetics operators within e-commerce platforms, organizers of centralized cosmetics trading markets and exhibitions, and beauty and hairdressing institutions and hotels, etc.

For each category, corresponding responsibility checklists have been developed, and five chapters have been designed: Compliance Management, System Template, Responsibility Checklist, Enterprise Self-Inspection, and "Ten Questions" on Cosmetic Knowledge. The guide uses a combination of text and images to instruct various operators to conscientiously fulfill their main responsibilities and operate cosmetics with integrity and compliance.

Wu Hui said that the establishment of the responsibility checklist is to make it clear to companies what their responsibilities are so that when regulatory authorities come for inspections, they will not be penalized.

In addition, Wu Hui also revealed that one of the key tasks of the Zhejiang Medical Products Administration this year is to carry out special rectification actions. "This year, we will launch three major special rectification actions.

Firstly, the 'Golden Shield Protecting Children' campaign to ensure the safety of children's cosmetics. Secondly, the 'Clean Internet' campaign for children's cosmetics online sales to ensure the quality and safety of cosmetics sold online. And thirdly, the 'Bright Makeup' campaign for beauty and hairdressing institutions. The quality and safety of cosmetics used in beauty and hairdressing institutions are also directly related to consumers' vital interests. We will also carry out special rectification actions for cosmetics used in beauty and hairdressing institutions."