Buyer questions · Purchase decisions
Filing an ordinary cosmetic in China: what the dossier needs and where it gets sent back
Ordinary cosmetics in China are filed, not approved, on the NMPA platform, but the file must survive post-market checks. The safety assessment is where filings fail: the simplified assessment relies on the maximum historical use levels in the inventory (8,965 entries); any ingredient above its level or outside the list needs toxicology data.
1The filer and the domestic responsible person
The filer is liable for the product; imports need a domestic responsible person. The manufacturer holds a production licence and runs under the China GMP rules.
2Safety assessment and efficacy claims
The simplified assessment uses inventory levels and authoritative conclusions; claims follow the efficacy evaluation rules. Whitening, sunscreen and anti-hair-loss are special cosmetics and require registration, not filing.
3Labels and test reports
Labels list ingredients in descending order with trace ingredients grouped; microbiological and physico-chemical reports from a qualified lab are required before filing.
Follow-up questions
- Q:What if an ingredient is not in the inventory?
- A:It counts as a new ingredient and needs its own filing or registration with a 3-year monitoring period; avoid it on a first product.
- Q:How soon after filing can it sell?
- A:Immediately on receipt of the filing number; inaccurate files are cancelled at inspection.
Figures sourced from:已使用化妆品原料目录检索质检体系
Updated 2026-09-16
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