China Updates the Safety and Technical Standards for Cosmetics (STSC): Adding 2 Testing Methods and Revising 5 Testing Methods (Copy)

Source: ChemLinked

By: Hedy He

China added seven methods to the STSC: five revised microbiological methods and new tests for Burkholderia cepacia complex and eye irritation. The microbiological methods take effect December 1, 2027, and the vitrigel test on May 1, 2027.

On November 2, 2026, China's National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) issued Announcement No. 105, adding seven methods to the Safety and Technical Standards for Cosmetics (STSC): five revised methods and two new methods. The six microbiological methods will take effect on December 1, 2027, while the new collagen vitrigel eye irritation test will take effect on May 1, 2027; the NMPA encourages companies to adopt the methods ahead of their effective dates where appropriate.

The revisions strengthen microbiological testing and quality controls, including measures to address preservative-related false negatives. The newly added tests establish a method for detecting Burkholderia cepacia complex (Bcc) in cosmetics and introduce an in vitro eye irritation method for cosmetic ingredients.