China Cosmetics Regulatory Update: August 2026 – GB 7916-2026, IECIC II and Post-Market Changes

August 2026 brought several important China cosmetics regulation developments for international brands, manufacturers, and ingredient suppliers. The most significant is GB 7916-2026, Cosmetics—General safety requirements, which will take effect on January 1, 2028 and replace GB 7916-1987. Regulators also added four new cosmetic ingredients to IECIC II, clarified implementation of registration and notification measures introduced in July, and issued new post-market compliance guidance. Companies supplying cosmetics or ingredients to China should review upcoming safety requirements, ingredient status, technical documentation, and post-market responsibilities.

GB 7916-2026 Introduces a New Mandatory Safety Standard

China announced GB 7916-2026, Cosmetics—General safety requirements in August 2026. The mandatory national standard was published on July 30, 2026 and will take effect on January 1, 2028, replacing GB 7916-1987.

The standard covers key areas including:

• cosmetic ingredients;

• finished-product safety;

• packaging materials;

• labeling; and

• storage and transportation.

The period before January 1, 2028 is an implementation lead time, not an exemption. International companies with products expected to remain on the China market after that date should assess potential gaps in formulations, specifications, labeling, packaging-related controls, and supporting safety documentation in advance.

For companies preparing product portfolios for China, REACH24H's China Cosmetic Registration & Filing/Notification service provides an overview of the applicable NMPA market-access framework.

August Guidance Clarifies July Registration and Notification Measures

NMPA Announcement No. 70 introduced several measures in July 2026 to optimize cosmetic registration and notification management. August Q&As issued by regulators in Beijing and Guangzhou provided further implementation guidance rather than creating new blanket exemptions.

The clarifications address areas including:

• retention of certain ingredient safety information by companies instead of upfront submission;

• sharing of selected technical materials between qualifying products with similar formulation systems; and

• documentation requirements when manufacturing information changes.

These measures are conditional. Companies should confirm eligibility before relying on simplified submission or testing arrangements.

For the underlying regulatory changes and their applicability, see REACH24H's July 2026 China Cosmetics Regulatory Update.

Four New Cosmetic Ingredients Added to IECIC II

On August 19, 2026, four new cosmetic ingredients completed their three-year safety monitoring periods and were incorporated into List II of the Inventory of Existing Cosmetic Ingredients (IECIC II):

• AZELAMIDOPROPYL DIMETHYL AMINE;

• CETYL DIGLYCERYL TRIS(TRIMETHYLSILOXY)SILYLETHYL DIMETHICONE;

• β-Nicotinamide Mononucleotide; and

• Bakuchiol.

The adjustment was subsequently published by the National Institutes for Food and Drug Control (NIFDC). View the official IECIC II update.

Once incorporated into IECIC II, these ingredients are managed as existing cosmetic ingredients rather than new cosmetic ingredients. However, IECIC inclusion does not mean unrestricted use. Companies should still verify ingredient identity, function, applicable scope of use, safe use level, and any relevant restrictions.

REACH24H supported Corum Inc. in completing the China new cosmetic ingredient filing for AZELAMIDOPROPYL DIMETHYL AMINE, which has now completed its monitoring period and entered IECIC II.

Ingredient suppliers assessing whether an ingredient requires a new ingredient pathway can refer to REACH24H's China New Cosmetic Ingredient Registration & Filing Services.

Post-Market Compliance Remains a Regulatory Focus

On August 27, the NMPA issued guidance on preparing cosmetic adverse reaction self-inspection reports. The document standardizes report preparation but does not create an entirely new adverse reaction monitoring obligation.

Regulators also approved two supplementary testing methods covering diclofenac sodium and methenamine, while nine proposed cosmetic standards were opened for public consultation.

Local surveillance in Shanghai and Guangdong identified non-compliant cosmetics involving excessive methanol or microbial counts, prohibited substances, excessive arsenic, and inconsistencies between sunscreen ingredients and registered or labeled information.

These cases reinforce the importance of maintaining consistency between the marketed product, formula, specifications, labeling, test results, and registration or notification information.

Where additional product safety evidence is required, REACH24H also provides Global Cosmetic Safety Assessment services.

Separate MEE Change May Affect Certain Ingredient Supply Chains

Separately, China's Ministry of Ecology and Environment stopped handling new chemical substance environmental management filings from August 15, 2026. For substances previously eligible for filing, the relevant entities must submit an environmental management registration application before manufacture or import, with applications handled by reference to the simplified registration procedure and timeline. View the official MEE notice.

This change does not mean that every imported finished cosmetic requires new chemical substance registration. Applicability should be assessed separately at the substance and supply-chain level.

Companies potentially affected can refer to REACH24H's China REACH: New Chemical Substance Registration under MEE Order No. 12.

Impact & Actionable Advice for International Companies

International cosmetic companies should prioritize four actions:

• Prepare for GB 7916-2026: assess products expected to remain on the China market after January 1, 2028 and identify potential compliance gaps early.

• Verify IECIC status carefully: confirm ingredient identity, function, scope of use, safe use level, and restrictions rather than relying on the ingredient name alone.

• Strengthen post-market controls: maintain effective adverse reaction monitoring, change control, documentation retention, and product-to-dossier consistency.

• Assess chemical regulatory obligations separately: where new chemical substances are involved, evaluate MEE requirements independently from NMPA cosmetic registration or notification.

How REACH24H Can Help

REACH24H supports international cosmetic brands, manufacturers, and ingredient suppliers with:

• China cosmetic registration and notification;

• formula and ingredient compliance review;

• GB 7916-2026 compliance gap assessment;

• cosmetic safety assessment and testing strategy;

• IECIC status review;

• new cosmetic ingredient registration and notification;

• post-market compliance; and

• assessment of new chemical substance obligations where applicable.